The Small Town of Rye, East Sussex

The small town of Rye, East Sussex, England sits atwas built by King Henry VIII, and was one of five
the confluence of two local rivers in this southeastdevice forts erected to protect this then-strategic
coastal region of the country. It is a smaller town,portion of the coast.
with a population of around 4,100 people. It is also,Rye is one of a number of coastal English towns
and officially, a civil parish in the English system ofwhich have shore-based sea rescue watercraft, called
classification of population centers."lifeboats," along with a support station. They're
Rye has a long association with the nearby sea, andsomewhat similar to what a U.S. Coast Guard station
smugglers of the 18th and 19th centuries quite oftenmight resemble in terms of mission, only without the
ran their activities through the town's environs. Theydefensive aspects. Since 1696, there have also been
were often aided and abetted by the townsfolk,six Royal Navy ships to carry the name HMS Rye, in
who saw an opportunity for extra income. Becausehonor of the town.
of its past history, and the scenic beauty and charmThe county of East Sussex, in which the town of
of the area, it is an active center for tourism in thisRye sits, has a total population of 762,000 people. It
part of the United Kingdom.has ancient roots, going back to the kingdom of
The town itself still supports a small fishing industry,what are called the 'South Saxons.' There are a
and it has a good harbor facility for large yachts andnumber of hiking trails all through the county, which
other ocean-going vessels. This helps to make it amakes it a good site for walking tours and the like.
popular stopover for those cruising up and down theBoth Rye and East Sussex are fine examples of
English coastal regions. There is an interestingtypical English history combined with modern
historical structure, Camber Castle, in the Rye area. Itsensibilities.