The “seaside” town of Rye is often recognised as being one of Britain’s best despite it being a three-mile walk away from the sea. Which? magazine lists the East Sussex town as among the best seaside towns in the country along with Bamburgh in Northumberland, Dartmouth in Devon and Portstewart in Northern Ireland.

The medieval citadel attracts thousands of visitors a year with its cosy pubs, boutique hotels and trendy restaurants, according to travel website 1066 Country.

In the past, Rye was a fishing village next to the sea, but the waters have since retreated with the English Channel now a few miles from the town.

Rye was originally part of the Manor of Rameslie and promised to the Abbey of Fécamp by Ethelred the Unready after the Abbey provided him sanctuary in 1014.

When the territory of Normandy was returned to the French in 1205, Rye went with it and wasn’t reunited with the English Crown until 42 years later, according to 1066 Country.

The town’s defences were boosted afterwards with the building of a wall and four gates. Some of Rye’s fortifications can still be seen today.

A Cinque Port, Rye was on the frontline in the defence of the realm during medieval times with its status meaning the town was free from taxes and custom duties.

But the town was also subject to French attacks and raids, including one in 1377 in which a fire almost destroyed the place.

Nowadays the town is more likely to be visited by tourists drawn to Rye Castle’s famous Ypres Tower and Mermaid Street’s medieval charm.

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Other top attractions include Rye Nature Reserve, St Mary’s Church and the town’s eateries, according to Time Out magazine.

It highlights the seafood at The Globe Inn Marsh and cream teas at Mermaid Street Cafe as among Rye’s top culinary destinations.

For bargain hunters, there is a selection of antique shops in Mermaid Street, including Strand Quay Antiques, The Confit Pot and Alex MacArthur Interiors in Conduit Hill.

Rye also boasts a number of pubs, such as The George Inn, Rye Waterworks Micropub, Ypres Castle Inn and The Mermaid Inn, the cellars of which date back to 1156.

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For those looking for the seaside, the nearest destination is Camber Sands, a three mile walk from Rye itself.

And according to Sussex Live, East Sussex Naturists club members are also known to visit the town.

Rye was ranked 25th in Which? magazine’s most recent survey of British seaside towns, making it the best in Sussex.

Scotland’s best seaside town is St Andrews in Fife. Wales’s most favoured is Portmeirion in Gwynedd while Northern Ireland boasts Portstewart in Londonderry/Derry, according to Which?

Clacton-on-Sea and Skegness were ranked bottom of Which?’s ranking.

According to the consumer magazine, they were rated an average three out of five stars for their beaches, but visitors were less impressed with their “run-down seafronts”.

However, some survey respondents commented on Clacton’s “lovely” seafront gardens and “fantastic” annual airshow.

Skegness’s “old-fashioned” charm, donkey rides, aquarium and arcades drew praise too.

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