Rye is a small town as well as civil parish in the Rother area, in East Sussex, England, two miles from the sea at the convergence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede. In middle ages times, as a vital participant of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, as well as nearly entirely bordered by the sea. At the 2011 census, Rye had a population of 4,773. Its historic association with the sea has actually consisted of offering ships for the service of the Crown in time of war, as well as being associated with contraband. The well-known Hawkhurst Gang used its ancient inns The Mermaid Inn as well as The Olde Bell Inn, which are stated to be connected to every various other by a secret passageway. Those historical roots and also its charm make it a traveler location, with resorts, guest houses, B&B s, tea rooms, and restaurants. It has a tiny fishing fleet, and Rye Harbour has facilities for yachts and also various other vessels.