Rye is a village as well as civil parish in the Rother area, in East Sussex, England, 2 miles from the sea at the assemblage of 3 rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede. In medieval times, as a vital member of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, and practically completely bordered by the sea. At the 2011 census, Rye had a population of 4,773. Its historical association with the sea has consisted of giving ships for the solution of the Crown in time of war, as well as being involved in smuggling. The well-known Hawkhurst Gang used its old inns The Mermaid Inn and also The Olde Bell Inn, which are said to be attached to each other by a secret passageway. Those historic roots and also its charm make it a traveler destination, with resorts, guest houses, B&B s, cafeteria, as well as restaurants. It has a small fishing fleet, and also Rye Harbour has facilities for yachts and other vessels.