Print pageFacilities
Facilities
- Visitor centre
- Car park
: Car park includes specifically designated disabled and coach bays.
- Toilets
- Disabled toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Picnic area
- Binocular hire
- Live camera
- Group bookings accepted
- Guided walks available
- Good for walking
- Pushchair friendly
Viewing points
There are 10 hides on site.
Nature trails
All suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Three trails: the Moorhen Trail (0.3 mile/550 m), Kingfisher Trail (0.5 mile/750 m) and Otter Trail (one mile/1.5 km).
Refreshments available
Educational facilities
The RSPB Rye Meads nature reserve field teaching scheme caters for all ages and abilities from primary to degree level and above. All of our courses meet the requirements of the national curriculum, GCSE, AS/A2 level and A level.
Our specially-trained field teachers ensure your day is educational, interactive and stimulating for students and teachers alike. Our well-designed education facilities make Rye Meads a particularly suitable site for special needs groups to visits.
The new visitor and education centre has superbly equipped classrooms, new interpretation material and toilets. There are new paths, hides and pond dipping areas which allow visitors to explore more of the reserve.
The reserve has been specially designed for fieldwork by schools and colleges. There are a variety of wetland habitats for comparing and contrasting the birds on the reserve, and their adaptations and behaviour throughout the year.
Hides and observation platforms overlook the habitats and are carefully positioned along 1.3 km of paths, making it possible to undertake field studies in all weathers. The reserve is managed in association with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency, Thames Water, Lee Valley Regional Park and the Rye Meads Ringers.
When can we visit?
You can visit any time during the week through out the year. Full-day sessions normally start at 10 am and last four hours, plus a break for lunch. Half-day sessions normally start at 10 am or 1 pm and last approximately two hours. It may be possible to visit at different times by prior arrangement.
Contact (for booking or to discuss the programme):
Tel: 01992 708383.
'Staff are very helpful, tailoring all activities to our needs' - Heath Mount prep school.