Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
A coastal nature reserve with 5 birdwatching hides and miles of footpaths to explore. Habitats include saltmarsh, shingle, saline lagoons, grazing marsh and reedbed. Visit at any time of year to see a range of birds, plants and other animals, including many that are rare. Find out more by visiting the website. Our Discovery Centre is open 10-4pm every day. IDEAL FOR VISITING BY TRAIN TO RYE. GREAT PLACE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS AND MOBILITY SCOOTERS.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- brixtonbelleLondon, United Kingdom108 contributionsBeautiful nature reserve, excellent facilities, recommend catching the Guide in a Hide weekends.Beautiful nature reserve, excellent visitor centre. Visitor centre just a year or so old. Architect designed building. Excellent information boards explaining history & wildlife. Great loos & cafe. Stunning views across the marshes and camber sands. Even have binoculars wired to the bench tables by the windows for customers to use. Range of length of walks across the marshes and to the sea wall, broad flat paths, several bird hides. We had the very good fortune to be there for a weekend when Sussex Wildlife Trust were out in force. Very friendly and informative Guide In The Hide and at other points, with binoculars and telescopes, pointing out the different birds to us novices. Just wonderful.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 March 2023
- Geoff HSissinghurst, United Kingdom12,682 contributionsWell worth seeking outAn excellent place for walking (and cycling) and bird watching. There's a free carpark (with height restrictions) at the entrance where there are also toilets. On the reserve there is also a dog-friendly cafe (with seating both inside and outside) and a good discovery centre. Well worth seeking out.Visited February 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 March 2023
- Dan FMunich, Germany59 contributionsA good day outsideA lovley place. You can take the bus nr.313 from the train station and arrive with public transport at the doorstep of the reserve. Nice coffee shop is there after a 1,5 hours walk around. You can see lots of waders.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 April 2023
- John BHouston, Texas221 contributionsGreat. Birdwatching, Grey Seals, wonderful cafeNice walk from car park. Wonderful cafe for a park with nice tea and cakes (far better for my non-birdwatching spouse than in other locations). Many townspeople walking dogs and pushing prams on a blustery day. Had 26 bird species in 75 minutes—nice for mid morning in July. Marsh plus mudflats and view of channel. Seal was swimming near breakwater. Quite a long walk Al the way to sea from car park but level path. Definitely one of top sites in RyeVisited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 July 2023
- lauralazuli188 contributionsExcellent nature walkA beautiful walk. Very exposed and on windy days it’s very blowy. Car park is coin donations in a little collection tin by the car park entrance. Path is shared with cyclists so watch out for them.Visited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 August 2023
- Trevor T13 contributionsWell worth a wanderExcellent reserve with much to interest seasoned and casual "twitchers". Lots of information to be had in the visitor centre together with a nice cafe and shop. Rye Harbour Village is worth a short wander, there is large free car park with donations welcomed. Although train is mentioned be aware that Rye Harbour is quite a walk from the station through the industrial part of the town so investigating bus times would be wise.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 September 2023
- Steve_of_N21London, United Kingdom2,283 contributionsA great place for walking if you have got the weather.The nature reserve is a mixture of woodland and scrub, grassland and salt marsh. Most paths are well made up and flat and even the ones we used off piste were fairly easy. The main routes are obviously very popular with dog walkers and cyclists but if you take the other paths you could have them to yourselves. We were blessed with a fine, still ( it can get quite windy here) sunny day and as we had arrived at low tide we decided to walk the shore line from Rye Harbour beach to Winchelsea Beach and probably saw a dozen people, which isn’t bad for August. Plenty of sea and wading bird action on the foreshore though. We then returned after a pub lunch via the Long Pit, the Embankment and the path through the middle of the Salt marshes and again saw very few other people. The supporting facilities are very good, the large free car park being the main one. Then the Discovery Centre is excellent, well worth a visit. Five bird hides dotted about, although most of these are around the salt marsh lakes. And then when you have finished a decent pint of Shep Neame ales can be had in the William the Conqueror.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 September 2023
- PhotoJunkie195936 contributionsLovely day outRye Nature Reserve (a very special place) - Follow the postcode for Rye Harbour. Park in the (free) adjoining large car park (Note* Motorhomes there is a height limit) walk across to the Nature Reserve (10 mins for non disabled). The path is tarmac’d the whole way there. There are also miles of tarmac’d paths around the Reserve suitable for bikes, mobility scooters, wheelchairs etc. On a sunny day it’s a lovely walk/ride/run/wheel around the salt beds spotting the various birds that make their home there. If you’re lucky you can experience the tidal estuaries re - fill so bring a fishing rod if that’s your thing and fish along the shallow banks. After, or before, take tea (and cake!) in the very reasonably priced cafe/shop. Or bring a picnic and use the picnic tables outside. All in all a pleasant way to spend a few hours. By all accounts the Reserve is beautiful all year round according to the locals.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 September 2023
- Mandy BKent, United Kingdom241 contributionsBeautiful place to visitWe 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 a coffee but it was very busy but we will try next time we visit. We went down to the beach, albeit very windy, it is a lovely, shingle beach and was quiet. We would return to Rye to see more.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 October 2023
- Geoff HSissinghurst, United Kingdom12,682 contributionsAn amazing placeAn amazing place for walking and nature-watching, especially on a sunny day. One roadway to the beach is well maintained and both wheelchair and pushchair friendly. The other paths round the reserve are mainly level but they are stony and can get muddy in wet weather. After (or before) your walk there's an interesting information centre and cafe (Lime Kiln Cafe), where you can get drinks and snacks. Clean toilets are also in this building.Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 19 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
990 reviews
Excellent
650
Very good
284
Average
40
Poor
9
Terrible
7
Denise S
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
I happen to live locally to this nature walk and sadly the place has been terrible for residents ever since the new cafe opened! Too many cars for the area to cope with cannot even move my car without having parking space taken by visitors! Went for a walk yesterday and was shocked at the amount of Dogs running loose off the lead despite several notices stating dogs MUST be on leads? Walked just past the visitors centre and found main path completely blocked by a large group of selfish Twitchers bird watching! Had to walk on muddy area to get past Grrrrrrrrr. I stopped at the cafe on return and found at least half a dozen dogs running about in the table area? Owners taking no notice! I used to ride my bike on the path outside for exercise and safety rather than use main road but now impossible due to dogs running loose! I am not against dogs as I have had many over the years also fostered them for charity but latest owners have no consideration of others also NOT cleaning up after their dogs fouling path and grass areas.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for submitting your review on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We welcome feedback to ensure we can continue to make improvements.
In response to the specific points you made, we feel it is helpful to remember that the nature reserve has always been a busy destination and has seen a year-on-year increase in visitor numbers from over 66k in 2001 to 100k in 2018 - long before the arrival of the Discovery Centre. Although at times this means the carpark is very busy, there is a positive financial impact to local economy and businesses. There are many other factors that attract visitors to the area, including the village, pubs, holiday park, free carpark and the well-maintained path to the beach.
Addressing behavioural change at nature conservation sites is a collective challenge for land managers at sites across the UK. We are currently reviewing how we communicate our expectations of public behaviours on the nature reserve, and this includes reviewing our dog policy. We will be sharing this with our visitors later this year.
Once again, thanks for taking the time to respond and if you have any further feedback, please let us know directly at RHDCoffice@sussexwt.org.uk
Written 27 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Geoff H
Sissinghurst, UK12,682 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
An amazing place for walking and nature-watching, especially on a sunny day. One roadway to the beach is well maintained and both wheelchair and pushchair friendly. The other paths round the reserve are mainly level but they are stony and can get muddy in wet weather. After (or before) your walk there's an interesting information centre and cafe (Lime Kiln Cafe), where you can get drinks and snacks. Clean toilets are also in this building.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacquie H
Southampton, UK49 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
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 never know what birds or flora and fauna you may spot. Bring walking shoes
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy B
Kent, UK241 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
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 a coffee but it was very busy but we will try next time we visit. We went down to the beach, albeit very windy, it is a lovely, shingle beach and was quiet. We would return to Rye to see more.
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2171
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK174 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
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.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart T
Birmingham, United Kingdom31 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Excellent footpaths and wonderful visitor centre and big free car park.Great place for a walk and free of charge
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhotoJunkie1959
Berkshire36 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Rye Nature Reserve (a very special place) - Follow the postcode for Rye Harbour. Park in the (free) adjoining large car park (Note* Motorhomes there is a height limit) walk across to the Nature Reserve (10 mins for non disabled). The path is tarmac’d the whole way there. There are also miles of tarmac’d paths around the Reserve suitable for bikes, mobility scooters, wheelchairs etc. On a sunny day it’s a lovely walk/ride/run/wheel around the salt beds spotting the various birds that make their home there. If you’re lucky you can experience the tidal estuaries re - fill so bring a fishing rod if that’s your thing and fish along the shallow banks. After, or before, take tea (and cake!) in the very reasonably priced cafe/shop. Or bring a picnic and use the picnic tables outside. All in all a pleasant way to spend a few hours. By all accounts the Reserve is beautiful all year round according to the locals.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_of_N21
London, UK2,283 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The nature reserve is a mixture of woodland and scrub, grassland and salt marsh. Most paths are well made up and flat and even the ones we used off piste were fairly easy. The main routes are obviously very popular with dog walkers and cyclists but if you take the other paths you could have them to yourselves.
We were blessed with a fine, still ( it can get quite windy here) sunny day and as we had arrived at low tide we decided to walk the shore line from Rye Harbour beach to Winchelsea Beach and probably saw a dozen people, which isn’t bad for August. Plenty of sea and wading bird action on the foreshore though.
We then returned after a pub lunch via the Long Pit, the Embankment and the path through the middle of the Salt marshes and again saw very few other people.
The supporting facilities are very good, the large free car park being the main one. Then the Discovery Centre is excellent, well worth a visit. Five bird hides dotted about, although most of these are around the salt marsh lakes. And then when you have finished a decent pint of Shep Neame ales can be had in the William the Conqueror.
We were blessed with a fine, still ( it can get quite windy here) sunny day and as we had arrived at low tide we decided to walk the shore line from Rye Harbour beach to Winchelsea Beach and probably saw a dozen people, which isn’t bad for August. Plenty of sea and wading bird action on the foreshore though.
We then returned after a pub lunch via the Long Pit, the Embankment and the path through the middle of the Salt marshes and again saw very few other people.
The supporting facilities are very good, the large free car park being the main one. Then the Discovery Centre is excellent, well worth a visit. Five bird hides dotted about, although most of these are around the salt marsh lakes. And then when you have finished a decent pint of Shep Neame ales can be had in the William the Conqueror.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor T
13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Excellent reserve with much to interest seasoned and casual "twitchers". Lots of information to be had in the visitor centre together with a nice cafe and shop.
Rye Harbour Village is worth a short wander, there is large free car park with donations welcomed.
Although train is mentioned be aware that Rye Harbour is quite a walk from the station through the industrial part of the town so investigating bus times would be wise.
Rye Harbour Village is worth a short wander, there is large free car park with donations welcomed.
Although train is mentioned be aware that Rye Harbour is quite a walk from the station through the industrial part of the town so investigating bus times would be wise.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle M
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Love this place, went crabbing caught loads and just on the harbour there were loads of seals just basking got so close
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian B
5 contributions
Are the public toilets available
PhotoJunkie1959
Berkshire36 contributions
Yes there are public toilets available in the Nature Reserve Visitor Centre.
clare
Hampshire, UK9 contributions
Are you dog friendly?
hseal45
London, UK1,422 contributions
Hi there, the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is EXTREMELY dog friendly, to the point of the Discovery Centre allowing dogs in to sit with their owners when having a cuppa and cake! Needless to say, dogs must be on a lead due to the birds and seals all over the place!! There are many doggy doo bins around the reserve for convenience as well.
Monica B
2 contributions
Hello,
We are a church group who have a memorial service in Horns Cross on the morning of the 24th September. We would like to come afterwards to have lunch at and explore Rye Harbour. Some members are not too mobile which is why Rye itself is not really feasible but when my husband and I came to explore on Saturday the car park had a horizontal bar at a height not permitting a coach to enter. We planned to be at the harbour for about 4 hours. I know that the coach can turn round where the bus does but is there anywhere the coach could park in the event the bar is not raised at the time?
I would also like to know whether the public toilets will be open then. A contact would be very useful.
Thank you for your attention,
Monica Biggs (Mrs.)
Ali J
Worthing, UK318 contributions
I suggest that you contact the Tourism office for these questions, which I believe is based in the old Town Hall. Ali
Hi can some one please (hopefully) answer are there any (small)dog , friendly taxi companies going winchelsea caravan park to the rye harbour nature reserve. I am visiting soon and disabled iv also been on strict rest recently so mobility isn't the greatest. Me and my pooch need a holiday (Patterdale terrier) thanks
Ella507
Eastbourne, UK118 contributions
Hi, does anyone know if the car park is open for visitors? Thank you.
RyeHarbourNR
Winchelsea, UK1 contribution
Yes it is, but public toilets not yet open.
bita1
United Kingdom12 contributions
How much does it cost please? Thank-you
RyeHarbourNR
Winchelsea, UK1 contribution
It's free entry to the nature reserve, but we would appreciate a donation or purchase in our shop to help with running the reserve.
Thank-you
Barry
Where's the best place to park the car if I'd like to cycle please
David L
Northampton, UK412 contributions
Car park near harbour. Turn right at end of road next to toilets.
RosaSilvietta
Province of Padua, Italy231 contributions
si può arrivare in auto invece che con l'autobus? c'è un parcheggio vicino? quanto dura la camminata?
RyeHarbourNR
Winchelsea, UK1 contribution
You can visit by rail, car, bus or bike.
Look on our website for details.
TripAdvisor does not allow weblinks in answers :-(
hope this reply is in time...
Barry
Amanda91126
Canterbury, UK1 contribution
Can you walk there from the centre of Rye?
Dave R
Rye, UK4 contributions
It is a lovely walk from the town, on leaving Rye on the A259 towards Hastings, after about 600 metres from the roundabout with the chippie on the corner, look for Rye Harbour Road on your left. Go along this road and cross the Brede Lock after just 100 metres. Then directly look for the gate on the right, not the one signed for the B&B. Then follow this lovely path all the way to Rye Harbour village and then enjpy the whole of the Nature Reserve. Have fun.
Dave Rodwell
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Claim your listingRye Harbour Nature Reserve - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
- Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Rye Harbour Nature Reserve:
- (0.06 km) The Old Vicarage at Rye Harbour
- (0.17 km) Seakale
- (0.25 km) Rye Harbour Holiday Park - Park Holidays
- (0.18 km) Stylish Seaside Cottage With Nature Reserve, River And Sea Views
- (1.06 km) Point Farm B&B
- Restaurants near Rye Harbour Nature Reserve:
- (0.15 km) Bosun's Bite
- (0.17 km) William The Conqueror
- (0.09 km) Avocet Gallery
- (0.30 km) Lime Kiln Cafe
- (2.31 km) Frankies At The Beach
- Attractions near Rye Harbour Nature Reserve:
- (0.14 km) Rye Harbour Cycles
- (0.19 km) Full Throttle Boat Charters
- (0.17 km) Rye Harbour Sea Safaris And Boat Trips
- (0.33 km) Rye Harbour Discovery Centre
- (0.44 km) Commonwealth War Grave, Rye Harbour