Adventure into nature with the family this summer

Bring the whole family to Rainham Marshes this summer to enjoy your own nature adventure!

Enjoy walks, fantastic views over the River Thames and the marshes, hire a bicycle, play in our adventure and toddlers playground and climb on our climbing boulders, join a family event, have lunch or a snack in our café, and browse in our shop.

Rainham Marshes by Jesper Mattias (rspb-images.com)

Rainham Marshes is a great day out for the whole family you can explore throughout the year, and get close to wildlife with a number of hides that give great views of wildlife, even without binoculars (although you can hire a pair from us for the day).
The paths and boardwalks are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, so you can explore all year. Don’t worry if you have not been here before – come into our Visitor Centre and we can give you a map, show you where to go and tell you about the wildlife. There is a cafe, shop, picnic area, toilets, car park and wildlife garden all by our centre so come on in to find out more!

The reserve is a great place to get active outdoors - enjoy walks, running, cycling and climbing! The Thames riverside paths give lovely views across the Thames - where you will see birds, boats and London. These paths are great for jogging, cycling and walking your dog too.

Climbing on the climbing boulders in the adventure playground by Tim Webb

You can join a number of fun family activities over summer too - from pond dipping, Wildlife Explorer Club, toddlers group, a camp out on the reserve, there’s lots to choose from - here is some ideas for summer holiday fun for the family (you can find all of our events here):

• Summer Holidays at Rainham Marshes

Wednesday 31 July - Friday 31 August
Drop in to Rainham Marshes this school holidays to take part in some fabulous family activities. You can pick up an adventure trail sheet from our Visitor Centre at any time though the holidays, or there's something on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You can spend the day discovering Rainham Marshes – enjoy our family activities, play in the adventure playground, enjoy lunch or a snack in the café, and browse in our shop.

Tuesday’s (31 July, 7, 14, 21 and 28 August)
10.30am-12 noon: Wild Adventures - pond dipping
1.30-3 pm: Wild Adventures – grasshopper safari

Wednesday’s (1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 August)
10.30 am-12 noon: Wild Adventures - discover, play, explore
1.30-3 pm: Wild Adventures - pond dipping

Thursday’s (2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 August)
10.30 am- 12 noon: Wild Adventures - pond dipping
1.30-3 pm: Wild Adventures - grasshopper safari

Friday’s (3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 August)
10.30 am-12 noon Wild Adventure - get active in nature


Activity details:
Wildlife Adventure - pond dipping
Enjoy pond-dipping - investigate what creatures you can find living in our ponds - you don't need to bring any equipment, we’ll have everything you need.
Pond dipping really popular and we have limited spaces – if you would like to guarantee your time slot give us a call on 01708 899851 to book, if you turn up on the day we can usually squeeze you in but you may need to wait for a few minutes to start.
We suggest arriving half an hour early to give you time to collect your tickets and get to our special pond dipping area, and you can take part in the self-guided trail on the way! £1.50 per child, accompanying adults free.


Wildlife Adventure - grasshopper safari
Run through the long grass with nets and see what you can catch! Don't worry you don't need to bring any equipment, we will have everything you need! £1.50 per child, accompanying adults free.


Wildlife Adventure – discover, play, explore
Join us in the Adventure Playground where our team will have lots of activities for your family discover nature. You might find a woodlouse safari, nature treasure hunt, climbing challenges, and snake skins, bones and other things your kids will love! Free

Wild Adventure – get active in nature!
Join us in the Adventure Playground where our team will have lots of games and trails to help your family get active and discover nature. You might find climbing games on our boulders, nature yoga or a slackline!

Self-guided trail
Pick up a trail from reception to explore the reserve with your family – can you work out what out mystery pictures are? Free

Pond dipping at Rainham by Jesper Mattias (rspb-images.com)

• Big Wild Sleepout

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 July

Join us for a Big Wild Sleepout and camp in nature’s home at RSPB Rainham Marshes over the weekend on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July!
This amazing opportunity that gives you the chance to experience the reserve in a unique way! Grab your sleeping bag, tent, and torch and get ready to explore the reserve out of our usual opening hours. We will go for a late night walk to discover all the wonders of the night (will we see birds, moths, stars and more), sleep on the reserve, explore the reserve as it awakes to a new day looking for all sorts of wildlife (including the chance to see minibeasts as we explore our special minibeast homes), and enjoy a nice cooked breakfast!

6 pm Saturday - 9 am Sunday
Price: Adult: £30 (£25 for RSPB members), Child: £15 (£12.50 for RSPB members).
To book please give us a call on 01708 899851

For full details, prices and how to book please look here.

Camping out at Rainham by Andrew Gouldstone

• Guided Cycle Adventures
  Saturday 28 July and Saturday 25 August, 2-4 pm
  
  Bring you family and join us for a cycle ride in nature!
  
  Explore the RSPB Rainham Marshes Riverwall, and discover the wildlife and the amazing views! We will be exploring and enjoy wildlife, and playing lots of games along the way!
  This guided off road cycle ride will take you on good flat paths, stopping along the way to enjoy the spectacular views and amazing wildlife. The paths are good, hard surfaces so this ride will be suitable for all ages (and we'll stop as often as you like!)
  If you don't want to bring your own bike you can hire one of ours for the day!
  
  Make a day of it – explore the reserve with a family fun trail and play in the adventure playground. You can even enjoy lunch in our café before the cycle ride!
  
  Bring your own bike or you can hire one of ours! Booking is recommended so you can guarantee your space - for more information or to book please contact us on 01708 899840 or email rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk
  Price: £5 adult (£4 RSPB member), £2 children (£1.50 RSPB member)

Cycling at Rainham Marshes by Rob Andrews

• Kids Birdwatching Club
  Saturday 18 August, 10 am-12.30 pm
  One for the young wildlife lovers - join us on these special days held once a month to explore the reserve through the seasons, watching and learning about the birds that visit and live here.
  No need to book - just turn up and we'll see you there! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  Price: Wildlife Explorers members: £2.50, non-members: £5
  
  Rahul Thanki (rspb-images.com)
  
  
  
  
  

To find out more about the reserve look at our website www.rspb.org.uk/rainham