Rye Meads

We are working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities such as toilets are not yet available. All our other reserves remain closed for now. Please see our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

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

Grid ref: TL389103

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

Our visitor centre, shop, café, toilets and hides remain closed. We have opened our trails and car park, but please be mindful that it has limited capacity, and we are open Sunday-Wednesday only. We urge our visitors to please stay local to your nearest reserves and greenspaces. Anyone choosing to visit should observe all current government advice around social distancing and hygiene.

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

Open daily from 9am - 5pm or dusk if earlier. Closed 25 and 26 December.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost: £4 per vehicle for non-members.

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop
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.

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

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Dogs are not allowed on reserve, except for Registered Assistance Dogs.

Group bookings accepted.

We offer a curriculum linked schools on reserve programme.

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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
@RSPBRyeMeads
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.

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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.