Rye is a small town as well as civil parish in the Rother area, in East Sussex, England, 2 miles from the sea at the convergence of 3 rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham as well as the Brede. In middle ages times, as an essential member of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, as well as almost completely bordered by the sea. At the 2011 census, Rye had a population of 4,773. Its historical association with the sea has actually consisted of supplying ships for the solution of the Crown in time of war, and also being associated with smuggling. The infamous Hawkhurst Gang used its ancient inns The Mermaid Inn and The Olde Bell Inn, which are stated to be connected per other by a secret path. Those historic origins as well as its appeal make it a traveler destination, with hotels, bed and breakfast, B&B s, cafeteria, as well as restaurants. It has a small fishing fleet, as well as Rye Harbour has facilities for yachts as well as other vessels.