Community directory

Rye Meads Nature Reserve (RSPB)

This urban nature reserve has something to offer everyone and will appeal to families, walkers, birdwatchers and photographers. It is a great place to relax and wind down, listen too birdsong, see flocks of wild ducks and enjoy views of lakes, meadows and marshes.

Rye Mead is idyllically situated next to the River Lee on the outskirts of Hoddesdon. It forms part of the Lee Valley complex, which has a number of nature reserves and country parks, stretching from North London to Rye Meads. It is an ideal reserve for those new to birdwatching.

You can choose from a number of paths and trails that take you round the various wildlife areas, including reedbeds, open water, woodland and meadow. Regular observation hides allow you to watch the wildlife close-up.

The reserve itself is by the River Lee and includes areas of reedbed, open water, meadow and woodland. In the summer a colony of common terns nest on specially made rafts, while kingfishers breed in artificial sand banks. During the winter, ducks, such as shovelers, gadwalls and tufted ducks can be seen on the open water.

Opening Times and Charges:
* Open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm, or dusk if earlier. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
* Entrance is free for all, with reduced events charges for RSPB members.

Access to visitors centre:
50m for centre car park. There is an indoor reception area incorporating a bird feeding viewing area, information desks and displays; hot drinks and a small range of sale items are available.

Toilets are at the rear of the visitors centre. There is a separate unisex toilet with facilities for the disabled and a baby changing area.

Access to trails Paths linking the hides are surfaced with rolled gravel and grassed over in places. There are 70m of boardwalk leading into the reserve and another 60m of boardwalk in the reedbed. Some parts of the paths are narrow, but passing places are provided.

Hides and viewpoints
* Lapwing hide is 40m from the Centre car park. The area is accessed via a small ramp; the whole area has adapted viewing.
* Draper hide is 310m from the visitor centre and is accessed vi a ramp; there are two adapted viewing places.
* Moorhen hide is 485m from the visitor centre and is accessed by a short flight of steps; this is the only hide with no adapted viewing facilities. A raised pond, adjacent to the Moorhen hide, gives excellent views of pond life.
* The Ashby hide is 665m from the visitor centre; the upper floor is accessible by a steep flight of steps; the lower floor has two adapted viewing places.
* The Tern and Gadwall hides are 795m from the visitor centre; each has a raised adapted viewing area accessed via a small internal ramp, but manoeuvering a wheelchair may be difficult.
* Kingfisher hide is 1km from the visitor centre and has one adapted viewing place on the ground floor.
* Both the Otter hide and the Water Vole hide have disabled viewing facilities.

Rye Meads has a full events programme throughout the year, including family fun days and guided walks. Please contact the reserve on 01992 708383 for information.

Registered charity number 207076