Rye Meads

Address: RSPB Rye Meads, Rye Rd, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire SG12 8JS

Grid ref: TL389103

What3Words: they.foil.stands

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

This delightful wetland reserve beside the River Lee is a firm favourite with walkers, birdwatchers and photographers thanks to its many trails and hides. Common terns nest on specially-created rafts during the summer, while snipe, green sandpipers, shovelers, gadwalls and tufted ducks take over during the winter months. Artificial sandbanks are a great place to spot the blue flash of a kingfisher.

Plan your visit

Car park: open daily, 9am-5pm. Locked outside of these hours.
Nature reserve: open daily 9am-5pm. Locked outside of these hours.
Toilets: open daily, 9am-5pm.
Visitor Centre: open daily, 9am-5pm.
Refreshments: open daily, 9am-5pm (take away only).
Hides: open daily, 9am-5pm. Locked outside of these hours.

Seasonal opening times:

Closed Saturdays in October and November (December TBC)
Closed Mondays in October
Closed 24-27 December

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost

There are no entry fees to the nature reserve, but the following parking charges apply:

RSPB members: FREE
(please display your membership card face down in your windscreen)
Non-members: £4 per vehicle
Blue badge holders: FREE
(please display your badge in your windscreen)

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire is closed
Guided walks
Nature trails
Educational facilities

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

Rye House Station (400 yards/366 m). There is a direct train from Liverpool Street. Climb the steps out of the station and turn right towards Rye Meads, with the Historic Rye House Gatehouse on your left. Follow a footpath on the left side of the minor road for 300 m until you reach the visitor centre.

By bus

The nearest bus stop (700 yards/640 m) is in the Old Highway, which is off Rye Road. Walk down towards Rye House Station, then as above.

By bike

Rye Meads is accessible to cycles by road and the Lee Valley cycle way.

By road

Follow directions to Hoddesdon. Go straight over the large roundabout (you will have the Sun pub on your left), onto another section of dual carriageway. At the next roundabout, turn left into Essex Road. Turn left into Pindar Road, (before the railway crossing). Turn left onto a bridge on Normandy Way. Turn left into Fisherman's Way. Turn right over the bridge to the Rye Meads Visitor Centre.

Please note: New River Bridge on Rye Road is closed from Monday 20 July to Thursday 24 December 2020. To access RSPB Rye Meads by vehicle, follow the diversion via Essex Road, Pindar Road, Normandy Way and Fishermans Way. There will be a pedestrian walkway available for access. The works are being carried out by Thames Water to replace the existing bridge with a two-way one.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

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Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve (except assistance dogs), due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.

We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.

Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.

Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.

We welcome group bookings.

For full details on our exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions, visit our school trips information.

“Inspiring” and “multi-sensory” are just two of the words schools have used to describe their visit to Rye Meads.

The incredible wetland habitat provides the perfect backdrop to a memorable day of learning outside the classroom. Our close-up experiences allow exploration of habitats, minibeasts and adaptations in real life.

Our programs are adapted to cover the full range, from Early years, through primary and into Secondary and A-level. Full and half day options are available.

We also welcome bookings from uniformed and youth groups and can tailor your visit to suit your needs.

For further questions, or to book, email rye.meads@rspb.org.uk

Also, check out our fantastic range of resources for teachers, or take on the Schools’ Wild Challenge.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 113Kb

Rye Meads trail guide

Contact Rye Meads

RSPB Rye Meads, Rye Rd, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire SG12 8JS
rye.meads@rspb.org.uk
01992 708383
@RyeMeadsRSPB
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Common tern

Visit the Gadwall Hide to see common terns nesting on specially made rafts.

Kingfisher

Artificial sand banks have been created to attract nesting kingfishers.

Gadwall

This subtly plumaged dabbling duck occurs here in winter on open water.

Kestrel

Kestrels nest in special boxes on the reserve.

Green sandpiper

The scrapes here attract green sandpipers in winter and in summer and early autumn.

Spring brings finches, tits, woodpeckers. There are plenty of wildfowl, such as gadwalls and shovelers, on the open water, along with little grebes.

In summer, the reserve is home to reed buntings singing from perches and cuckoos calling their name while hobbies hawk over the scrape. The lagoons provide feeding grounds for wildfowl broods such as tufted ducks and gadwalls. Warblers, common terns and kingfishers also make an appearance.

In autumn, waders including green sandpipers, snipe and lapwings can be seen on the scrapes. When evening draws in, starlings, buntings, and finches flock together, swirling over the reedbeds ready to roost in safety and warmth.

During the winter sightings of water rail and water fowl add to this wonderful sight. The elusive bittern lurking in the reeds could add to this winter picture at any time by providing a glimpse as it moves silently through the reedbed.

About Rye Meads

Habitat

Rye Meads is an RSPB-managed reserve which includes reedbeds, open water and a scrape.

Conservation

Our conservation efforts at Rye Meads includes:

Working to maintain and improve areas of open water for wintering wildfowl.
Maintaining the scrapes and their muddy edges for the benefit of waders.
Providing artificial nesting banks for kingfishers and nesting rafts for common terns. We also hope to encourage breeding bitterns by expanding the reedbed.
Working to maintain the reedbed for wintering bitterns and breeding warblers.

Site information

Rye Meads is a 58.5 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Rye House, Hertfordshire. It is also part of the Lea Valley RAMSAR site (a group of internationally important wetland sites) and a Special Protection Area.

Rye Meads provides a year-round wildlife spectacle for many visitors.

Latest blog posts

read our blog

What people are saying about Rye Meads

What a fantastic place! We were lucky enough to witness a kingfisher flying to and from the nest in the artificial sand bank - obviously feeding newly-hatched chicks. Another highlight for me was watching a water vole happily foraging about in the water. A truly amazing day out - we will definitely be returning for further visits!

Nicola

First time to Rye Meads and what a WONDERFUL day out! Watching birds here and there, with friendly staff and people who can tell you alot! We were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a KINGFISHER!!! Beautiful colours! A really great place to go, off again next week! It was beautiful!

Alex Blackman

I loved Rye Meads the first time I visited. Since then, a super new visitor centre with toilets and picnic tables has been built, and everyone is really friendly. It's a great place for all the family; it’s a lovely place to have a walk and enjoy wildlife, great for everyone - I enjoyed visiting so much I began volunteering!

Marion Moss

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Hides provide excellent views of birds that can be seen by eye, enabling children to see wildlife. Special Explorer Backpacks are available for hire during your visit and there is a comprehensive programme of events, including nature trails, guided walks and family fun days.

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/ryemeads

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