Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

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.