Old Leigh, a historic fishing village in Essex has a colourful and notorious history of smuggling. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town was a hub for illegal smuggling of goods such as tea, tobacco and most notably, rum. The town’s location on the coast made it a prime spot for smugglers to unload their illicit cargo and distribute it throughout the region. Smugglers would use a network of secret tunnels and caves, some of which still exist today, to transport goods into and out of the town undetected by the authorities. The smuggling trade brought wealth to some of the town’s residents but it also fueled violence and corruption. Visitors to the famous seaside town can explore the fascinating history of the town’s smugglers through tours, exhibits and local products, such as our white rum, which pays tribute to the town’s illicit past.