Events at Rainham Marshes
Discover exciting events all year at Rainham Marshes. Join us for a variety of guided walks.
The link below supplies the weather data for Rainham Marshes!
Days out
Rainham Marshes
PurfleetClosed | Opens 9:00 amSee opening timesA peaceful paradise for wetland birds on the outskirts of the capital, where you can spot waders, wildfowl, warblers and owls.
About
Purfleet Bridge
We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding to replace the Purfleet Bridge on the reserve. The work will be starting on Tuesday 7 April and is likely to last for 4 weeks.
There will be some impacts on the reserve, including the Purfleet Hide being closed for the duration of the work. A circular walk will still be available by exiting through the Turn Stile gate and heading back to the Visitor Centre via the sea wall.
Parking Prices
We will be increasing our short-term parking prices from May 1 2026 to £3 for two hours. Our daily parking charge of £5 will remain the same. We believe this continues to offer good value for money and helps us to invest in Rainham Marshes and our vital conservation work. We will continue to offer free parking for Blue Badge holders and RSPB members.
Not far from the bustling streets of London, Rainham Marshes is a haven for all kinds of wildlife – birds, Water Voles, dragonflies and more. Even if you can’t visit Rainham Marshes in person, you can still soak up some of the peace and quiet of the reserve by taking a moment to listen to the dawn or evening chorus on our RSPB YouTube page.
Rainham Marshes is carefully managed to make sure it has the perfect conditions for its wildlife. We graze cattle and manage water levels to create a patchwork of clumpy wet grassland and semi-permanent pools. This is the ideal habitat for marshland birds such as Lapwings and Redshanks as well as for wintering wildfowl, waders and some birds of prey. The ditches are also looked after to help Water Voles, reptiles, amphibians and minibeasts thrive.
Some areas of the tall grass and scrub are left unmanaged to provide ideal hunting grounds for wintering Short-eared Owls as well as nesting sites for Reed Buntings. We take special care of some of our sandy areas, where some of our specialist insect life likes to live.
At a glance
RSPB members and Blue Badge Holders - FREE
For 1 hour - £1
For 2 hours - £2
For over 2 hours (whole day) - £5
£15 per coach/minibus
Payment for parking is made through a downloadable mobile app ‘Pay by Phone’ – entering location number 809101 or by calling 0330 400 7275.
Or payment can be made at the Welcome desk.
FREE for RSPB local groups (please book a space before arriving by contacting the visitor centre).
They are located on both the ground and first floor of our visitor centre.
Our baby changing facilities are located in our accessible toilets on the first floor.
We have a number of flat gravel paths and boardwalks suitable for pushchairs. Not all parts of the reserve may be accessible dependent on weather conditions. Please check with staff before your visit or on arrival.
You and the little ones can see ducks and other wildlife, taking in the stunning views across the reserve and fresh air as you go.
A mix of flat gravel surface paths and boardwalks.
Trails start at the visitor centre across a short section of non slip grill with a short steep section.
We have a number of flat gravel paths and boardwalks suitable for pushchairs. Not all parts of the reserve may be accessible dependent on weather conditions. Please check with staff before your visit or on arrival.
They are located on the ground floor of our visitor centre.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on most of the reserve, except assistance dogs, due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Want to check the weather?
Rainham Marshes offers schools free self-led visits
We have lots of resources to help you plan and lead a day of learning on our nature reserve.
Recent Sightings at Rainham Marshes
- Bittern continues to boom its audible on the Northern Track.
- Sedge Warbler , Reed Warbler , Whitethroat and Blackcap are singing and becoming more visible all most anywhere on reserve.
- Great White Egret visible from the Purfleet Scrape.
- Redshank appearing across the reserve.
- Kingfishers are regularly seen across the reserve but most likley at Ken Barrett and Purfleet Hide.
- The Marsh Harriers have been spotted most days and starting to perform their sky dance.
- Swallows , Sand Martins , and Swifts have arrived back on reserve.
- Common Tern on the Tern raft.
- Water Voles visible from the Bus Stop and from Shooting Butts Hide.
- Orange Tip, Peacock, Brimstone on reserve.
Save nature while you staycation
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Contact Rainham Marshes
rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk Rainham Marshes, New Tank Hill Rd, Purfleet, Thurrock, RM19 1SZ 01708 899840