If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet,
Don’t go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,
Them that ask no questions isn’t told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!
If you know Rye, then it will come as no surprise that it has a history of piracy and smuggling!
Rye pirates
During the 13th century, Rye gained a fearsome reputation as England’s most notorious pirate port. Back then, it was almost an island with a superb natural harbour which provided the perfect base for local mariners who supplemented their incomes by attacking passing ships, particularly French and Spanish vessels, during lulls in royal service. Their privateering was often officially sanctioned by the Crown, which claimed a fifth of the spoils, and even English ships were by no means immune when a profitable opportunity arose.
And Rye smugglers
As piracy declined, smuggling flourished. From the 13th century onwards, the town’s isolated hilltop position overlooking the marshes made it an ideal base for illicit commerce. When King Edward I imposed heavy customs duties on English wool, local merchants found it far more profitable to export it illegally to the continent before returning with highly taxed goods such as tea, brandy, lace and tobacco.
By the 18th century, smuggling had become a vast and highly organised enterprise. The infamous Hawkhurst Gang dominated much of the south-east, using Rye as one of its strongholds. The historic Mermaid Inn was said to be one of their favourite haunts, while the Old Bell Inn’s deep medieval cellars and reputed secret passages provided the perfect hiding places for contraband.
The authorities fought back fiercely. Smuggling was made a capital offence in 1746, with generous rewards offered for information leading to convictions. Revenue officers pursued the gangs relentlessly, resulting in violent confrontations across Rye’s streets, inns and waterfront. Convicted smugglers often met a grim end, hanged and left suspended in chains as a stark warning to others.
Rye Pirates and Smugglers Day: 8 August from 10 am.
Now the town is celebrating this unique and fascinating heritage. Rye Pirate Day isn’t trying to recreate Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s bringing the town’s own extraordinary maritime past to life in a way that invites everyone, from serious historical re-enactors to families with children in homemade costumes, to become part of the story for a day.
What began as a family day out at Hastings Pirate Weekend has grown into one of Rye’s most anticipated summer events. Inspired by the warmth and camaraderie of the pirate community, organiser Zoe and fellow enthusiasts Matt and Gary wondered why a town with such a rich piratical and smuggling heritage didn’t have a celebration of its own. With encouragement from the organisers of both Hastings and the long-established Brixham Pirate Festival, they took the plunge. Rye Pirates and Smugglers Day was born in 2025, proving an instant success and attracting around 1,500 costumed pirates to its inaugural procession.
This year’s event promises to be even bigger. Proceedings begin with a proclamation from the Mayor and Town Crier before hundreds of pirates, smugglers, drummers and musicians parade through the ancient streets. Throughout the day there will be sea shanties, folk music, historical re-enactments, sword fighting, musket demonstrations and living history displays, alongside family entertainment, children’s costume competitions and street performances.
New for this year is an arena on the Town Salts, where visitors can watch dramatic skirmishes featuring the notorious Doctor Syn, the famous fictional smuggling vicar of Dymchurch and the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, complete with smoke, muskets and plenty of theatrical flair.
Perhaps the greatest attraction, however, is the atmosphere. Pirate festivals have built a reputation for being among the friendliest historical events in the country. Whether you’re a seasoned re-enactor in authentic 18th century dress or simply arrive with a striped T-shirt and plastic cutlass, everyone is welcomed aboard. It’s a celebration where music spills from the pubs, children march through the streets, strangers become shipmates for the day and Rye’s remarkable history comes vividly to life. Best of all, every event is completely free, making it one of Sussex’s most memorable family days out this summer.
So shiver ya timbers and get yourself over to Rye, complete with parot and cutlass or just with a sense of interesting heritage and fun.
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