Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7TX

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Tel07884 494 982

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a photograph of Rye Harbour visitor centre. Wooden and glass structure against a blue sky.

About

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is an important wildlife site that is the size of 600 football pitches and is set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape. It is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered.

Come and visit our mosaic of shingle beaches, saline lagoons, saltmarsh, grassland, scrub, gravel pits and reedbeds. Our flowers are at their best from late May to July, but our birdlife is varied all year round and changes each month. We now have information boards posted all around the reserve, which show you what you can see. Click on the QR codes to listen to birdsong, see a wildlife video, or find out more about our wildlife or local history. A network of footpaths throughout the nature reserve gives easy access to many seats and five birdwatching hides - four of which are wheelchair accessible.

Sussex Wildlife Trust has been pleased to welcome many visitors to our flagship visitor centre, the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, since it opened in May 2021.

The Discovery Centre is currently open daily from 10am - 4pm and it offers an accessible hub for Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Facilities include the glorious Lime Kiln Café, which serves great coffee and homemade cakes, promotes the best of local produce – and offers a range of fantastic views across the nature reserve. We have a shop and accessible toilets. Come and learn about the diversity of wildlife through our information boards, photos, videos and touchscreen displays showing the kind of wildlife you can find on the reserve, as well as the history of the area, military and geographical. We have excellent education facilities and put on a range of events for adults, children and families, throughout the year.

Talk to our staff and volunteers who are on hand to welcome visitors and help everyone engage with the special wildlife on the reserve. 
We have an outdoor seating area, dogs are welcome, plus we have cycle racks.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is great to visit all year round and whatever the weather – but bring sensible clothing, because it can be a very windy location. 

First photograph of Discovery Centre © Oliver Bates.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Admission FREEFree

Note: Prices are a guide only. For further information please visit the website.

TripAdvisor

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
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    • Very Good
      284
    • Average
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    • Poor
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    Recent Reviews:

    • 2171
      Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Not to be missed
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 7th October 2023
      Oh my, this is absolutely not to be missed! Gorgeous setting, lovely walks - long or short! Breathtaking views and the history surrounding this is amazing! Highly recommend a trip. Read full review
    • 121mandyb
      Kent, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Beautiful place to visit
      5 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 18th October 2023
      We had a lovely walk here. It was our first visit to Rye. We went to the Doscovery Centre which was full of information about Rye and the Nature Reserve. It was very interesting. We was going to get... Read full review
    • simonjacquie
      Southampton, United Kingdom
      Lovely walks
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 21st October 2023
      Beautiful walks, amazing views and so many birds, lucky to see am Osprey on 2 days, the visitor centre serves lovely coffee and you can use their binoculars whilst you sit and drink your coffee, you... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A259. From Rye turn left off A259 towards Rye Harbour. Follow the road round until reaching the large car park on the right. Entrance to reserve is opposite the car park.

    Public Transport Directions

    Visit by train to Rye and then walk ten minutes to the north part of the reserve (40 minute walk to the Discovery Centre), or catch a bus (one an hour) or take a taxi to Rye Harbour village to visit the coastal section of the reserve, which is also easy to explore with pushchairs, wheelchairs or bikes.

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Induction loop systems in bird hides and information centre.
    • Guide Dogs Permitted
    • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
    • Ramp/Level Access
    • Toilets for Disabled Visitors
    • Wheelchair user accessible - Motorised scooters hired out at Reserve - contact Chris on 07884 494 982

    Catering

    • Picnic Site

    Establishment Features

    • Dogs Accepted
    • Printed Material in Foreign Languages

    Payment Methods

    • Groups Accepted
    • Max group size - 30
    • Min group size - 10

    Printed Material in Foreign Languages

    • French printed material

    Provider Preferences

    • Outdoor Attraction

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted
    • Guided Tours Available for Groups

    Opening Times

    Discovery Centre opening times (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00

    Video

    • RHNR

    What's Nearby

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