Events at Rye Meads
Discover exciting events all year at Rye Meads. Join us for one of our guided walks including the Wednesday Wander!
Days out
Rye Meads
HoddesdonOpenSee opening timesWelcome to Rye Meads, a wetland reserve that's home to Common Terns, Kingfishers, Water Voles, waterfowl and so much more. Visit for a watch, a ramble, a family-friendly day out or just to enjoy being in nature.
About
This delightful wetland reserve beside the River Lee is a firm favourite with walkers, birdwatchers, families, photographers and schools thanks to its many trails and hides.
Head out on our trails around swaying reedbeds, open water and shallow pools, known as scrapes. Artificial sandbanks are a good place to spot Kingfishers, while specially built rafts are where the Common Terns choose to nest in summer. Snipe, Green Sandpipers, Shovelers, Gadwalls and Tufted Ducks take over during the winter months.
At a glance
Closed and locked outside of opening hours.
3 Blue Badge spaces Blue Badge spaces 33 yards from the visitor centre. Parking and pedestrian access is all on one level. Tarmac surfacing.
Drop off in coach bay outside the visitor centre when not in use. No height restrictions. Bike racks.
Our toilets are open during opening hours, to the rear of the visitor centre. Surface lino and tiles in the toilets.
Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets, at the rear of the visitor centre.
Check access suitability for events and activities.
Check access suitability for events and activities. Staff are trained in disability awareness.
Mobility scooter - available for hire, free of charge, bookable in advance. Manual push wheelchair for hire, free of charge, bookable in advance.
Our toilets are open during opening hours, to the rear of the visitor centre. Surface lino and tiles in the toilets.
Barbecue
Barbecue
Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve (except assistance dogs), due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.
Assistance dogs are welcome on all parts of the reserve.
Sorry, there is no cycling or scooters allowed anywhere on the reserve.
See what’s here
Plan your visit
This is a great location to spot Kingfishers
The vibrant azure and copper feathers of the Kingfisher make them one of the UK’s most colourful and instantly recognisable birds. But blink and you’ll miss them – they dart along rivers and streams at high speeds. RSPB nature reserves and our care-taking teams provide safe wetland havens for these special birds and their fishy prey.
Recent sightings at Rye Meads
Check out which species we've seen at Rye Meads this week (15-22 March).
Kingfisher sightings
Kingfishers have been seen at the Kingfisher hub.
1-8 March - Pair seen at Draper and Kingfisher hub checking out nest banks. First fish pass seen on 8 March.
9-15 March - Pair seemingly unsure about whether to nest at the Kingfisher hub or Draper hide investigating the nest holes at both. Male seen with soil on his bill after going into nest holes at the Kingfisher hub, potentially a sign of nest preparation. First fish pass recorded 10 March.
17 March - Male excavating nest hole at Kingfisher hub.
18 & 19 March - Continued excavating at the Kingfisher hub.
20 March - First report of mating.
21 March - Male continuing to excavate nest hole at the Kingfisher hub.
22 March - Female not seen all day but the male was seen going into the nest hole for around 20 minutes.
Other sightings
- Reed Bunting have been showing quite well in the Lee Marsh, opposite the Tern and Gadwall ramp.
- The Oystercatchers have been back at the Draper hide and Gadwall hide.
- Redpoll have been seen at the end of the Kingfisher loop, near the River Lee on 15 March.
- The two Shelduck are at the Draper hide.
- Water Voles have been showing really well from the bridge at the beginning of the Kingfisher boardwalk.
- A Stoat was seen near the Draper hide on 16 March.
- Siskin have been seen near the turnstile on the way to the Warbler hide.
- A Green Woodpecker was seen at the Draper hide on 17 March.
- A male Marsh Harrier was at the Warbler hide on 17 March.
- Lots of butterflies around with Brimstone, Comma, the first Small White of the season and Red Admiral all being seen this week.
- A Little Gull was seen from the Gadwall on 19 March.
Contact Rye Meads
rye.meads@rspb.org.uk Rye Meads, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JS 01992 708383