Rye Harbour Nature Reserve — Attraction in Rother

Large coastal nature reserve where salt marsh meets shingle beach, providing a haven for birds. On a clear day there are good views over Camber Sands to the east and towards Fairlight cliffs to the west. The Discovery Centre is an impressive modern facility housing a café serving snacks and drinks, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating offering good views over the nature reserve. It can get very busy around mid morning so be prepared for a wait. There's also a shop selling maps, books and more, along with an exhibition section where craft fairs and other events take place throughout the year. Facilities are all impeccably maintained and there's easy access with a ramp for wheelchair users. Paths are mostly level and well surfaced, providing easy access to the nature reserve, where hides are provided to get the best view of the bird life. There are a few notable structures to see alongside the path, including the striking red roofed hut, an old WW2 pillbox and the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House. Information boards are provided covering these buildings and more along the way. There's a large free parking area a short walk from the nature reserve, though be warned it's very popular, so turn up early if you want to find a...

Fabulous day out wandering the signed routes around the reserve. Fantastic sunny day to counter act the windy environment. Popped into some of the hides for shelter from the wind which had useful reference pictures for you to do some bird watching. Signposting of routes is ok and these are mostly level but could benefit from distance markers too so you can make decisions about how much further you have left in your legs. Might also benefit from a few more benches for those less abled like myself. Free parking at the rye harbor car park which was a bit of a free for all as there are no marked bays. People also parked in the approach road which narrowed the access and visibility. There were also some near misses with pedestrians crossing to the reserve versus cars racing straight ahead into the adjacent caravan park. You walk along an access road into the reserve which is closed to vehicles. The cafe in the visitors centre is very popular but unfortunately the slow service meant a long wait. Outside tables have a wind break which was very welcome. The visitors centre toilets we're accessible, very clean and...

It's impossible to give the nature reserve less than five stars. Free car park, free toilets, public house selling hot food according to the time of day, small village shop. Sometimes an ice cream seller parks outside the car park. The walk begins on a private tarmac road with display boards explaining what to see and look for in respect of wildlife and plants. The River Rother flows alongside the path from Rye to the sea. Part way along this path is a newly built cafe with inside/outside eating. At the end of the tarmac the path turns right to a firm gravel/pebble path with the beach and sea on the left, and ahead an expanse of sea and sky. From here you can walk to Winchelsea, or after around fifteen minutes turn right inland to access the bird hides and lakes to observe birds. At the end of this short path you can go left for an extended walk back to Rye Harbour, or right along a raised path returning to the harbour via a...