Ira Rye, the town closest to heaven
RYE, we came to this town because we saw a review saying it is 'the town closest to heaven.' When we arrived, the flower season had already passed, so from an aesthetic point of view, the town was not as stunning as imagined. However, in terms of atmosphere, it is truly ancient, tranquil, and peaceful. Being there easily soothes emotions and makes one feel calm and composed.
The main street of the town is a cobblestone road, and it is said to have a beautiful name, Mermaid Street. The houses on both sides of the street maintain an ancient appearance, with red bricks or white walls and black wooden beams, giving a strong sense of age. If you like taking beautiful photos, everywhere is a great background for portrait shots.
If just looking around, the town can be toured in two hours. But I think it's best to stay for a night. I recommend the Mermaid Inn in the town center, which is said to be the second oldest inn in England. When we went, there were no rooms available, so we could only sit on the ground floor and feel the atmosphere. It had a very medieval feel. Coffee costs over three pounds, and the room rate is over two hundred pounds per night. The inn is right on Mermaid Street.
From an experience perspective, the town is quite interesting. The community center has activities that have been ongoing for decades. Residents come here to sell or donate items. You can have free afternoon tea at the community center. The items for sale include vegetables grown in their own gardens, hand-knitted wool socks, baby clothes, homemade cakes, and handicrafts. Many elderly people participate in the activities, sitting around tables, drinking tea, and chatting. The town park sports field has a dedicated lawn for playing lawn bowls, which used to be a noble sport with a history of hundreds of years. Not many people play it in China. The game involves setting a fixed point and seeing whose ball gets closest. Its expense probably lies in the rarity of the lawn. We watched two elderly people compete, and their skills were quite good. The balls they threw could roll out beautiful curves on the grass, indicating they practiced a lot. The field should be open to the public, and those interested can book the field to experience it.
There is a river next to the town of Ira. In the evening, with boats and the sunset, the scenery is quite nice. Having a drink by the river, enjoying the breeze and the sunset, is quite pleasant.
In short, British towns not only have high aesthetic value but also offer a more wonderful experience of tranquility and leisure.