RSPB Rainham Marsh

South Essex > United Kingdom

Major RSPB reserve on marshland in a former military gunnery range.

Added* by Axel Kirby
Most recent update 11 February 2024

Description

Rainham Marshes protects 411 hectares of ancient, low-lying grazing marsh in the Thames Estuary. Its complex of wet grassland and ditches, together with grassland and scrub, supports many breeding and wintering birds. The reserve is easily reached due to excellent road and rail transport. Although most of the reserve is open water or wet grazing, there are also small areas of woodland. It attracts a wide range of water fowl and some passerines. Western Marsh Harrier are usually present.

Details

Access

Several trunk roads pass nearby and there is adequate parking at busy times. A long-distance footpath is adjacent to the reserve and nearby Purfleet station has a frequent rail service. Access within the reserve is on a level footpath and boardwalk that provides a circular route.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The visitor centre has information, a shop and a cafe. There are elevated views across some of the reserve. An admission fee is charged to non-members of the RSPB. There are fixed opening and closing times.

It's worth venturing onto the river wall and viewing the riverside - there's a one-way gate.

At present (October 2022), repairs are in progress to the boardwalk and it's not possible to complete a circuit of the reserve.

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