Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has the wow factor and is a wonderful contrast to historic Rye. It’s about two miles out of town and there is a free car park. So whether you want walks, wildlife or history, set your compass in the direction of the harbour for a little exploring.
About Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is one of the largest and most important wildlife sites in England and is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered. It is managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and covers an area of 465 of hectares. It is part of the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SSSI and Special Protection Area, is a Ramsar Site and a Special Area of Conservation.
Things to do at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
You might want to just sit and be in the nature reserve, but if you want to explore, there is plenty to see.
The Discovery Centre
A good place to start is the Discovery Centre, a short walk from the car park. It’s open from 10am to 4pm and inside there’s an exhibition space with a series of panels, short films and interactive displays about the nature reserve.
They have also created 10 different activity trails which include a poetry trail, a winter trail, a flower trail and more. Details are available online for free. There is also a café and it’s only a short walk from the Discovery Centre to the iconic red and black fisherman’s hut for which the reserve is famed.
The Martello Tower
Before you set off to explore, Martello Tower lovers may want to stop at the car park and admire Tower 28, AKA, the Enchantress Tower. It has a walled moat and has a raised entrance door that would have had a drawbridge. There is an information board nearby which provides further information. NB. The tower has had a haircut since this photo was taken.
Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station
Again, not far from the car park, you’ll find the lifeboat station. You can visit by appointment and learn about one of the worst lifeboat disasters in the RNLI’s history. From there, you can walk into the nature reserve and see the former Mary Stanford Lifeboat House. It was built in 1882 and it is from here that on the 15 November 1928 17 crew members were lost when they were called out to assist a Latvian steamer, Alice of Riga. There is an information board that tells you more.
Pillboxes
There are a number of WWII pillboxes in the nature reserve with two easy to find ones at the mouth of the river Rother not far from the black and red hut.
Gasson’s ruins
At the end of the wonderfully named Shrimpers’ Path, you’ll notice the ruined remains of what was a fisherman’s hut that was extended to provide holiday accommodation. It’s named after a local family and there is an information board with a photo of what it would have looked like in the 1930s.
Wildlife
Of course, one of the biggest attractions of the nature reserve is the incredible wildlife. There are a number of bird hides from where you can look for a variety of birdlife including Ringed Plover, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, and Wheatear. Endangered plant species you might spot include Least Lettuce and Stinking Hawksbeard but also look out for Sea Kale and Viper’s Bugloss, the Yellow Horned-poppy, Sea Pea and Sea Campion. And in amongst the shores, see if you can find a Hag’s Stone – supposed to bring good luck.
Walks and cycle paths
There is a network of footpaths and cycle routes across the reserve. From the car park, you can cycle all the way to Winchelsea Beach and Pett Level and there are also a couple of designated cycle routes around the nature reserve including a 2 mile route and a 5.5 mile route. There is bike hire available.
There are lots of options when it comes to walking, which include a number of circular routes that range from 3.5 km to 12 km. Start by walking down the side of the river Rother and turn right at the pillboxes. The path is clear and you can follow it until you feel like turning for home. You’ll find a number of paths to your right, most of which will eventually take you back to Rye Harbour (see blue below). One of the lovely things about these walks is seeing the cliffs at Fairlight in the distance gradually come closer the further you walk and if you look back, you can see the wind turbines at Romney Marsh and Dungeness.
Art
Just on the road leading out of the harbour you’ll find the Avocet Gallery, which features over 50 local artists and opens at the weekend during the summer. Do check opening times before travel.
Places to eat
If you don’t want to head back into Rye for something to eat, try the William the Conqueror pub or Bosun’s Bite, both at the harbour.
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