Rye is a small town and also civil parish in the Rother district, in East Sussex, England, two miles from the sea at the convergence of 3 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 nearly totally 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 giving 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 as well as The Olde Bell Inn, which are claimed to be linked to each other by a secret path. Those historic roots and also its beauty make it a visitor location, with resorts, bed and breakfast, B&B s, cafeteria, and dining establishments. It has a small fishing fleet, as well as Rye Harbour has facilities for luxury yachts and other vessels.