Overview
Discover big skies and a riot of wildlife in this unique landscape. Get close to nature here whatever the weather and any day of the year, via many miles of path and five birdwatching hides that are accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Rye Harbour’s mosaic of coastal habitats is home to an extraordinary number of plants and animals, including many rare and threatened species. The Discovery Centre helps thousands of people to learn about this unique place and forms a hub for community and education events, as well as being a popular place to take a break, eat, drink and shop.
Christine George Volunteer Event Co-ordinatorI love being at the viewpoint near Castle Water. I find it so peaceful and you never know what birds will turn up in front of you.
Know before you go
Opening times
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is open all day, every day, with no hours of closing.
The Discovery Centre and the car park in Rye Harbour village are closed overnight, with seasonal opening times:
Summer
- The Discovery Centre is open from 9.30am – 4.30pm in British Summer Time (GMT+1, after the clocks change).
- Lime Kiln Café closes 15 minutes earlier, at 4.15pm.
- The car park at Rye Harbour village is open from 6.30am and the gates are locked at 9pm.
Winter
- The Discovery Centre is open from 10am – 4pm in the winter (after the clocks change).
- Lime Kiln Café closes 15 minutes earlier at 3.45pm.
- The car park at Rye Harbour is open from 6.30am until 7.30pm.
Free to visit
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is free to visit, but please consider donating to Sussex Wildlife Trust & the Friends of Rye Harbour to help us manage these special places.
The car park in Rye Harbour village is operated by Icklesham Parish Council. There is no set charge, but donations are appreciated to help maintain the car park and nearby toilets.
How to get here
Rye Harbour village car park is located south of Rye town. See Google Map location. The Discovery Centre is a 10-minute walk from Rye Harbour village car park.
The 313 bus from Northiam stops at Rye Harbour village, close to the car park. See the 313 route and bus times.
The nearest rail station ‘Rye Station’ is located in Rye town. It’s a 15-minute walk from Rye Station to the Brede Lock entrance to the nature reserve, which is the shortest route to Camber Castle and Castle Water.
There is a cycle route between Rye town and Rye Harbour, along Rye Harbour Road.
Getting around the reserve
imageThere are a number of marked trails around the reserve – access maps and trail guides here.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has extensive step-free access, beginning at Rye Harbour village and continuing to Winchelsea beach.
There are regular benches to stop and rest on the main path from Rye Harbour village car park to the river mouth. Some require walking across small areas of loose uneven terrain to reach them. There’s also an outdoor seating area beside the Discovery Centre. The landscape is wild and exposed to the elements. The only available shelter and shade can be found inside the bird hides and inside the Discovery Centre.
Scooter and wheelchair access also extends to the ‘short loop’ around the bird hides on the beach reserve, and to the Reedbed Viewpoint at Castle Water.
Two mobility scooters are available to hire on a donation only basis from the Discovery Centre. Please contact RHDCoffice@sussexwt.org.uk or phone 01797 360960 to check availability and book a scooter before your visit.
Dogs welcome on leads
In some zones of the reserve we ask that dogs are always kept on leads. This includes the main track between the car park, the Discovery Centre and the beach. This helps keep busy areas safe and welcoming for everyone.
During bird nesting season, some additional areas are also no-go for dogs, to help birds and other wildlife breed successfully.
Both permanent and seasonally restricted zones are clearly marked on site.
Please always clear up after your dog and use the dog waste bins provided.
Dogs are welcome on leads in the Discovery Centre.
Toilets on site
There are public toilets in Rye Harbour village, close to the car park.
Accessible toilets can be found inside the Discovery Centre, and include a baby change facility, wheelchair accessible toilets and a shower.
Dos and don’ts
- Observe the dogs on leads zones and clean up after your dog
- Ride slowly if you are on a bike
- Wear suitable footwear for pebbles and mud
- Stick to the paths
- Leave any gates as you found them
Rye Harbour saltmarsh autumn © David BustonThe story of the reserve
Rye Harbour is an open, coastal landscape with a history of change.
Most of the land here is made of shingle and mud, which has built up only over recent centuries.
Sussex Wildlife Trust manages the landscape and keeps the Discovery Centre open, with enormous support from the Friends of Rye Harbour and a community of local residents, volunteers and visitors.
Did you know?
Landlocked castle
Camber Castle was built on the instructions on Henry VIII to defend the coast – but the build-up of sediment and shingle means that it’s now around a mile from the sea.
Hidden waters
The flooded pits and reedbeds at Castle Water lie closer to the town of Rye than the beach reserve, but are much less visited. Rare dragonflies, Marsh Harriers and Bearded Tits make their home here.
Mary Stanford Lifeboat House
In November 1928, all 17 crew aboard the Mary Stanford Lifeboat were killed at sea off Rye, one of the worst disasters of its kind. The lifeboat house still stands along the beach as a memorial to their loss.
Volunteering
Could you volunteer at Rye Harbour?
From helping visitors and looking after the Discovery Centre to surveying wildlife and managing habitats – the reserve is powered by people who give their time for nature.
School children on the beachSchool visits
Inspire and inform your pupils with a range of ways to experience nature at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Room hire at the Discovery Centre
A range of flexible spaces with unique views of the river and the saltmarsh are available to hire in the Discovery Centre.
View through River Room towards Camber © Gesine Garz
