St. John | Rye, E. Sussex

8 guests • 4 Bedrooms • 5 Beds • 3 Bathrooms

Award-winning conversion of an ambulance station in the heart of medieval Rye, perfect for country breaks with family and friends.

This former ambulance station was expertly converted into a stunning 215 sqm, four-bedroom home with an elegant open-plan living and dining area and two terraces on either side. In keeping with the historical surroundings which date back to medieval times, the design mixes early English nuances with medical references from the building’s past to form a unique style that has gained it features in Grand Designs, Condé Nast Traveller, and Dezeen among a number of other publications. The property has also won the AJ Retrofit Award and was a finalist for the World Architecture Awards.

Located within the old town walls of Rye and just a few minutes walk from the train station, St. John is the ideal place to host a holiday with family or friends. Explore the town’s charming attractions, spend the morning strolling through the famous cobbled streets, or drive to Camber Sands and Dungeness just a few minutes away for an unforgettable journey through the British countryside. For those fond of the outdoors, the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a great place to go for some bird-watching or a long walk in nature.

Kindly note we do not recommend this stay for younger children/toddlers, this is because we do not provide cots, high chairs, nor stair gates and have a central wood burner and concrete stairs.

The home offers plenty of space with an elegant open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area organized around a double-sided wood burner that you can get going for a cozy atmosphere. The huge dining table is perfect for big family meals and on sunny days, don’t forget to slide the ambulance doors open to transform the space into an extension of the patio! Past the barn doors on the ground floor, there is a double bedroom and a wet room, both accessible to people with mobility issues from the main entrance.

Head upstairs to find a second double room and a spacious attic bathroom with a large tub, ideal for relaxing, candlelit bubble baths. Just past these is the study room overlooking cobbled Conduit Hill and a twin room with single beds that could be pulled out into doubles. Certainly, a highlight is the old English wooden school desk and the exposed brick walls that bring a whimsical charm to the space. The master bedroom, located at the end of the property, is equipped with an en-suite shower room and super king-sized bed with a picturesque view over Rye.

From board games to cooking equipment, the house is filled with personal touches in every corner, designed to be a home away from home. And of course, there is also a fire pit and outdoor seating area, for those summer nights spent outside.

About the space

  • The design for St John has earned it the Architects Journal’s Retrofit Award and was shortlisted for the World Architecture Awards. It has also received features in Grand Designs, Condé Nast Traveller, and Dezeen among a number of other publications.

  • With 4 bedrooms and a large open-plan living and dining area, this beautiful home is ideal for your next group getaway!

  • Located within the old town walls and just a few minutes away from the train station, you can always walk to the town’s historic center.

Amenities

Sleeping

1 Super King bed, 2 Queen beds, 2 single beds, Bed linen incl.

Blender, Utensils, Dishwasher, Grill, Kitchen stove, Oven, Refrigerator, Freezer, Toaster, Cafetiere

Cooking

Entertainment

Wireless Broadband Internet, TV, Books, Board Games

Heating and Cooling

Central heating, Double-side wood-burner, No air-con, Fans provided.

Sanitary

Hairdryer, Shampoo & Shower-gel, Shower, Bathtub, Towel-set, Toilet Roll

Outside

Charcoal grill BBQ, Deck chairs, Outside Seating, Firepit, Courtyard, Terrace

Laundry

Clothes dryer, Washing Machine, Detergent, Iron, NO Ironing Board

Miscellaneous

Carbon Monoxide Detector, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit, Smoke Detector, Vaccum Cleaner, Speaker

Pets only after arrangement, Accessible 24/7, Smoking not allowed, Suitable for mobility aid (GF bedroom /WC), 3 Parking Spots avail.

Further Info

Layout

  • You couldn’t stay in a more beautiful place. Feels both stylish and cozy at the same time - very hard to achieve. Everything you need is provided with loads of extra personal touches you rarely find.

    "You couldn’t stay in a more beautiful place. Feels both stylish and cozy at the same time - very hard to achieve. Everything you need is provided with loads of extra personal touches you rarely find." - Rachel

  •  "My family of five had a fabulous stay at St John. The renovation was even more beautiful in person and the house was relaxing and quiet! And the location couldn't be better!" - Mendy

    "My family of five had a fabulous stay at St John. The renovation was even more beautiful in person and the house was relaxing and quiet! And the location couldn't be better!" - Mendy

  • A detail from the bathroom at the Coastguard's Cottage, showing a beautiful Victorian bathtub in front of the window.

    " Marta's home is gorgeous - the architecture is really interesting - she has retained the features of the old ambulance station, which makes it very special, while ensuring its comfortable, warm and stylish." - Rachel

  • "This home is fantastic. We went on a women’s wellness retreat in Rye and found this beautiful home to provide us with the perfect weekend base. The open plan communal areas allowed us to truly relax and share in a magical time. " - Alice

    "This home is fantastic. We went on a women’s wellness retreat in Rye and found this beautiful home to provide us with the perfect weekend base. The open plan communal areas allowed us to truly relax and share in a magical time. " - Alice

Upcoming Availability

Are you ready for a country break?

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