Events at Rye Meads
Discover exciting events all year at Rye Meads. Join us for one of our guided walks including the Wednesday Wander!
Days out
Rye Meads
HoddesdonOpenSee opening timesWelcome to Rye Meads, a wetland reserve that's home to Common Terns, Kingfishers, Water Voles, waterfowl and so much more. Visit for a watch, a ramble, a family-friendly day out or just to enjoy being in nature.
About
This delightful wetland reserve beside the River Lee is a firm favourite with walkers, birdwatchers, families, photographers and schools thanks to its many trails and hides.
Head out on our trails around swaying reedbeds, open water and shallow pools, known as scrapes. Artificial sandbanks are a good place to spot Kingfishers, while specially built rafts are where the Common Terns choose to nest in summer. Snipe, Green Sandpipers, Shovelers, Gadwalls and Tufted Ducks take over during the winter months.
At a glance
Closed and locked outside of opening hours.
3 Blue Badge spaces Blue Badge spaces 33 yards from the visitor centre. Parking and pedestrian access is all on one level. Tarmac surfacing.
Drop off in coach bay outside the visitor centre when not in use. No height restrictions. Bike racks.
Our toilets are open during opening hours, to the rear of the visitor centre. Surface lino and tiles in the toilets.
Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets, at the rear of the visitor centre.
Check access suitability for events and activities.
Check access suitability for events and activities. Staff are trained in disability awareness.
Mobility scooter - available for hire, free of charge, bookable in advance. Manual push wheelchair for hire, free of charge, bookable in advance.
Our toilets are open during opening hours, to the rear of the visitor centre. Surface lino and tiles in the toilets.
Barbecue
Barbecue
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve (except assistance dogs), due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.
Assistance dogs are welcome on all parts of the reserve.
Sorry, there is no cycling or scooters allowed anywhere on the reserve.
See what’s here
Plan your visit
This is a great location to spot Kingfishers
The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.
Recent sightings at Rye Meads
Check out which species we've seen at Rye Meads this week (8-15 March).
Kingfisher sightings
Kingfishers have been seen at both the Draper hide and Kingfisher hub.
1-8 March - Pair seen at Draper and Kingfisher hub checking out nest banks. First fish pass seen on 8 March.
9 March - Pair flying between Kingfisher hub and Draper hide going in and out of nest holes.
10 March - Pair at Kingfisher hub, investigating nest holes. Fish pass.
11 March - Pair at Kingfisher hub, still investigating nest holes.
12 March - Very brief sighting at the Kingfisher hub (very windy day).
13 March - Male investigating nest hole, spending around 20 minutes inside. Possible sign of preparation for nesting.
14 March - Male seen at Kingfisher hub and Draper in the morning. Female seen going into the nest hole and coming out with dirt on her beak. Further sign of nest preparation.
15 March - A lot less activity with brief sightings of the female at the Kingfisher hub.
Other sightings
- The Great Crested Grebe has been spotted at the Gadwall hide again on 8 March.
- There’s lots of singing Chiffchaffs all around the reserve.
- The Oystercatcher have been popping up at the Gadwall hide again.
- The Snipe have also been seen at the Gadwall hide.
- The Bittern was seen at the Kingfisher hub and the Draper hide on 9 March.
- A Water Vole was seen at the Kingfisher hub on 9 March.
- A Water Rail was spotted opposite the carved bench on 10 March.
- A Grey Wagtail was at the Gadwall hide on 11 March.
- 2 Shelducks were at the Gadwall hide on 11 March.
- The spring migration has started with at least 25 Black-tailed Godwit seen flying over the Draper hide on 12 March.
- Lots of sightings of Reed Bunting at the Kingfisher hub, Lapwing hide and from the Tern and Gadwall ramp in the Lee Marsh.
Contact Rye Meads
rye.meads@rspb.org.uk Rye Meads, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JS 01992 708383