Rye is a small town and civil parish in the Rother area, in East Sussex, England, two miles from the sea at the assemblage of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and also the Brede. In middle ages times, as an important member of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, and virtually 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 supplying ships for the solution of the Crown in time of war, and also being associated with smuggling. The well-known Hawkhurst Gang used its ancient inns The Mermaid Inn and also The Olde Bell Inn, which are stated to be connected to every other by a secret path. Those historical roots and also its charm make it a tourist destination, with hotels, guest houses, B&B s, cafeteria, and restaurants. It has a small angling fleet, as well as Rye Harbour has centers for private yachts and various other vessels.