Along the cobbled street is ancient inn is reputed to be one of the most haunted pubs in England. The Mermaid Inn was established when Queen Elizabeth I visited Rye in 1573. Amongst the strange occurrences at the Mermaid Inn, guests have spotted a lady by the fireplace and found dry clothes left by the fire soaking wet. In room five a maid is said to haunt the room where she was murdered by smugglers, while in a vision of men fighting has been seen in the Elizabethan Room. During the vision one of the smugglers killed the other, and hid his body in a secret compartment. The inn also has other phantom duellists while along the corridor in room 17 there is a chair that rocks by itself.