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 this week (13 September - 19 September) at Rye Meads.
Kingfisher sightings
The Kingfishers are regularly being seen at the Draper hide and have had 3 broods this year, successfully raising at least 7 chicks.
Brood 1 - 2 chicks (fledged 25 May).
Brood 2 - 3 chicks (fledged 16 July).
Brood 3 - 2 chicks (fledged 23 August).
Other sightings
- Kingfishers are still very active at both the Draper hide and the Kingfisher hub.
- There have been regular sightings of Common Tern throughout the week at the Draper hide.
- A Water Rail was seen on 14 & 17 September at the Gadwall hide.
- There’s a lot of Long Tailed tit flocks around the reserve.
- Green Woodpeckers are still being seen at the 5 bar gate after the Draper hide.
- There have been a few sightings of a Fox along the path near the Tern and Gadwall hide.
- Lots of Jay sightings around the reserve.
- A Kestrel was seen from the Draper hide on 16 September.
- The Green Sandpiper are still at the Draper hide with as many as 5 at once.
- A Little Egret was at the Gadwall hide on 18 September trying to catch Dragonflies.
- A Grass Snake was seen swimming across the water at the Kingfisher hub on 19 September.
Contact Rye Meads
rye.meads@rspb.org.uk Rye Meads, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JS 01992 708383