Rye – medieval gem of the Cinque Ports
One of the best preserved medieval towns in England, Rye is home to the enchanting cobbled Mermaid Street,
the impressive Norman church of St Mary’s, a rich selection of specialist shops and a thriving fishing fleet.
The famous Mermaid Inn was once the haunt of notorious smugglers, the Hawkhurst Gang. Camber Castle,
built by Henry VIII is located in the dramatic Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
Rye was once surrounded on three sides by the sea and its maritime heritage dates back to Norman times. To defend it against
frequent attacks from the French, Rye became an ‘antient town’ of the powerful Cinque Ports Confederation.