Rye Nature Reserve
Rye Harbour
The Nature Reserve is varied and dynamic, so you can discover and enjoy a wide range of species at all times of the year. We hold regular events to introduce you to some of our very best wildlife experiences.
This triangle of land was largely designated as the Rye Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the many unusual plants and animals that live here as well as the way the land has been built up by the sea over the last 500 years. Shingle wildlife is specialised because of the harsh conditions that prevail, so there are many rare and endangered plants and animals to be found here. Large gravel pits were created by shingle extraction and these have become a valuable habitat for wetland wildlife. Most of the area also has the European wildlife designations of Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In 2006 the SSSI was included in the new 9,000+ ha. site called the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SSSI.
By Car is around ten minutes and half an hour walking.