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 (15-22 February).
Kingfisher sightings
- Kingfisher sightings are still a little slow with 2 sightings, one on 19 February and the other on 21 February. The exciting news is that on 21 February they were prospecting the nest bank at the Draper hide, which is a good sign for nesting.
Other sightings
- A Great Crested Grebe was back at the Tern hide on 15 February.
- Some more sightings of the Bittern at the first boardwalk and the Kingfisher boardwalk.
- Lapwing numbers are still around 300 and they’re very flighty at the moment so you can often see them flying above the reserve.
- Reed Bunting opposite the Gadwall ramp in the Lee Marsh on 15 February.
- An Oystercatcher was spotted flying over the Gadwall hide on 16 February.
- Still lots of sightings of Water Rail, mainly at the Ashby viewing platform.
- There were two Shelduck at the Gadwall hide on 17 February.
- There’s lots of Hazel flowers around the reserve at the moment.
- A few sightings of Goldcrest at the first boardwalk and near the Draper dipping pond.
- A Water Vole was spotted at the Warbler hide on 19 February.
- A female Marsh Harrier was flying over the Draper hide on 20 February.
Contact Rye Meads
rye.meads@rspb.org.uk Rye Meads, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JS 01992 708383