The ancient Cinque Ports town which once provided ships for the Royal Navy, is perched on a hill overlooking a river estuary and the Romney Marsh.
The town is steeped in history with a labyrinth of cobbled streets and historic buildings and was once a favoured haunt of smugglers.
It has atmospheric bonfire celebrations in November and also hosts the World Town Crier competition annually.
The Mermaid Inn, on cobbled Mermaid Street, is said to be one of the most haunted inns in the UK.
The survey was carried out by Betway, who analysed towns and villages across the UK using key ‘fairy tale’ indicators, including historic buildings, proximity to castles and nearby forest walks, as well as remoteness measured by population size.
Rye came in at number eight thanks to its high number of listed buildings (299) and distance from the closest nearby castle (0.7 miles).
Hawkshead in the Lake District was named as the UK’s most fairy tale-like destination.
5. Rye
Rye Photo: supplied
6. Mermaid Street, Rye
Mermaid Street, Rye Photo: supplied
7. The 72nd National Town Criers' Championships in Rye on October 11 2025.
The 72nd National Town Criers' Championships in Rye on October 11 2025. Photo: Justin L
8. Filming near Rye Town Hall on September 9 2025. Photo by Tabatha Scarlett White.
Filming near Rye Town Hall on September 9 2025. Photo by Tabatha Scarlett White. Photo: Tabatha Scarlett White