Rye, East Sussex

Rye
The Ypres tower, Rother, Rye Harbour and marshes seen from the tower of St Mary's Church, Rye
Rye Location within East Sussex
Area	4.2 km2 (1.6 sq mi) [1]
Population	9,041 (Parish-2012)[1]
• Density	2,810/sq mi (1,080/km2)
OS grid reference	TQ920206
• London	53 miles (85 km) NW
Civil parish	Rye
District	Rother
Shire county	East Sussex
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	RYE
Postcode district	TN31
Dialling code	01797
Police	Sussex
Fire	East Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
UK Parliament	Hastings and Rye
Website	Town Council
List of places UK England East Sussex 50°57′N 0°44′E / 50.95°N 0.73°E / 50.95; 0.73

Rye is a town and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England, two miles (three kilometres) from the sea at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede. An important member of the mediaeval Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel, and almost entirely surrounded by the sea.

At the 2011 census, Rye had a population of 4,773.^[2] Its historical association with the sea has included providing ships for the service of the Crown in time of war, and being involved in smuggling. The notorious Hawkhurst Gang used its ancient inns The Mermaid Inn and The Olde Bell Inn, which are said to be connected to each other by a secret passageway.

Those historic roots and its charm make it a tourist destination, with hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, tea rooms, and restaurants.^[3] Rye has a small fishing fleet, and Rye Harbour has facilities for yachts and other vessels.