The Old Bell Inn, Rye
Encyclopedia
The Old Bell Inn, also known as Ye Olde Bell Inn, is a Grade II listed historical inn in Rye, East Sussex
. It was built in 1390. It has a turbulent history and was once used for smuggling, connected by a secret tunnel to the nearby The Mermaid Inn
to the south. It was used by the Hawkhurst Gang
in the 1730s and 1740s who moved goods along the tunnel from the Mermaid to a revolving cupboard in the Old Bell for a quick getaway.
The inn has two separate bar areas with original oak beams and a terrace with an 80 year old Wysteria tree.
Rye, East Sussex
Rye is a small town in East Sussex, England, which stands approximately two miles from the open sea and is at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede...
. It was built in 1390. It has a turbulent history and was once used for smuggling, connected by a secret tunnel to the nearby The Mermaid Inn
The Mermaid Inn
The Mermaid Inn is a Grade II* listed historical inn located on Mermaid Street in the ancient town of Rye, East Sussex, southeastern England. One of the best-known inns in southeast England, it was established in the 12th century and has a long, turbulent history. The current building dates from...
to the south. It was used by the Hawkhurst Gang
Hawkhurst Gang
The Hawkhurst Gang was a notorious criminal organisation involved in smuggling throughout southeast England from 1735 until 1749. One of the more infamous gangs of the early 18th century, they extended their influence from Dorset, where they successfully raided the customs house at Poole, to the...
in the 1730s and 1740s who moved goods along the tunnel from the Mermaid to a revolving cupboard in the Old Bell for a quick getaway.
The inn has two separate bar areas with original oak beams and a terrace with an 80 year old Wysteria tree.