Wake each day to the sound of the sea and the sight of a dramatic, rugged coastline. When morning breaks, stroll down to the surf – a glittering expanse as far as the eye can see. Take a slow walk along the shore, enjoy the scent of salty air, and experience the freedom of having an entire beach all to yourself.
At our Coastguard Cottages in Jurys Gap, you’ll discover what we consider to be some of the most unusual accommodation in the UK. We say unusual because, unlike so many beach holiday retreats in the UK, the location of our cottages feels wild and remote, set against a rugged and little-visited stretch of coast.
If you’re looking for a beach break that’s close to nature and far from the crowds, Jurys Gap is your perfect out-of-the-way escape.
Blissful Seclusion
Overlooking a long and quiet stretch of shingle beach, the trio of evocative Coastguard Cottages at Jurys Gap occupy what seems like their own quiet corner of the world. Situated on the border of East Sussex, the village of Jurys Gap sits beside the sea wall on the Walland section of the Romney Marsh – standing sentinel at the eastern-most part of the beach.
This wonderful seclusion is ideal for creative retreats and city breaks. Through the years, it’s become a place of inspiration for artists and writers alike – offering the kind of peace and tranquility that’s hard to find in daily life.
That being said, you’re not really that far from civilization.
The village of Camber is only a two-mile walk along the promenade. With its sprawling, golden beach and grassy dunes, the beach at Camber Sands offers another quiet haven to stroll amid dramatic coastal scenery.
For a change of pace, hop in the car and head 10 minutes to the medieval town of Rye. Sip a frothy pint in a centuries-old pub, flit between vintage shops, or meander along cobbled lanes lined with charming, half-timbered houses.
Steeped in history
The history of Jurys Gap is wrapped up in tales of opportunistic Jewish merchants and seafaring smugglers, which is all part of what makes our cottages some of the most unusual accommodations in the UK.
The name Jury’s Gap is said to derive from the Medieval Latin phrase of “Terrae Perjuratae”, (meaning “Forsworn Lands”). However, some say it comes from the earlier “Jews Gap” – referring to the Jewish merchants who used the village as a place for landing and exit (thus avoiding payment of the fee for entering Rye Harbour).
Smuggling folklore is also entwined with the stretch of coast where the cottages are perched. Isolated and remote, the beach was used by seafaring smugglers to safely bring ashore their booty. When you gaze out to sea under a moonlit sky, it’s easy to imagine these risk-taking gangs hauling their boats onto the shingle, cloaked under the cover of darkness.
To discover more about the dark and mysterious world of smuggling, head to Rye and visit the 15th-century Ye Olde Bell. This atmospheric pub was used by smugglers as a place to stash their goods and evade capture through secret tunnels and passageways.
Choose your Favourite Coastguard Cottage
The three cottages at Jurys Gap are almost 150 years old, and all are newly renovated. Welcome extras include wood-burning stoves, updated kitchens, original artwork and vintage furnishings. And each cottage comes with its own sea view.
Interested in enjoying some of the most unusual accommodations in the UK? Take a look at our three Jurys Gap cottages and feel one step closer to this unique beach escape today.
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