Nature activity

Southern Rail Hot Air Balloon

8.30am-10am, 5pm-6.30pm, Dog’s Hill Road, Winchelsea Beach

A lift to the sky for a five-minute view, from the far western end of the Nature Reserve (two miles from Rye Harbour). Needs calm weather (check on the day 07712 135232).

Children’s event

Wildlife Children’s Procession

11am-1pm, Rye Town Centre . Supported by Creative Partnerships, Rother District Council, Local Network Fund and Arts Council England

Local schools, Radiator Arts and Tempo Arts present the first Rye Wildlife Procession with over 100 children, along Church Square, Watchbell Street, Traders Passage, Mermaid Street and the Mint to the Strand car park by the river and Tourist Information Centre.

Nature activity / children’s event

Wildlife Discovery Fun

10am-4pm, Sailing Club, Rye Harbour village

Family activities on a wildlife theme. Make a bird house, have your face painted, create willow sculptures, join a treasure hunt, get lost in a maze or simply enjoy the riverside views. Watch out for wildlife-friendly food on the menu of local cafés and pubs near the sailing club.

Family Treasure Hunt

All day, meet at the information point: A fun way to discover the Nature Reserve.

‘Keybird’

All day: Try the birdsong keyboard.

Beach Reserve Walk

10am-12 noon, meet at the information point: See breeding Little Terns, Wheatears and others (2 miles).

Saltmarsh Exploration

12 noon-1pm: Explore for crabs and other hidden wildlife, and create monsters in the sand (1 mile).

Sing French Children’s Songs

1pm-2pm: Accompany your small children to learn French country rhymes.

Shrimping on the Shore

2pm-3.30pm: Hunt for shrimps – nets provided. Wear clothes and shoes for wading in the sea (1 mile). For information on this event, contact Kiln Cottage Visitor Centre on 01797 227784

Guided walk

Please note: dogs are not allowed on guided walks

Our Ports of Stranded Pride

Four connected walks looking at the history and sights of Rye and Winchelsea with East Sussex County Council ranger Andrew Whitnall. Contact on the day: 07739 022801

Introduction to Rye

10am-11.15am, start at Rye Heritage Centre, The Strand, Rye. Some steep cobbled streets. 1.5 miles.

A brief walk through the history of Rye.

Across the Camber

11.15am-12.45pm, start at Rye Heritage Centre, The Strand, Rye. Some muddy paths. 3.5 miles.

A cross-country walk to discover what Henry VIII’s castle once defended. Rye Harbour for lunch; after lunch for the walk to Winchelsea or to Rye by bus.

By the 1763 Seaside

2pm-3.30pm, start at William The Conqueror pub, Rye Harbour. 3.5 miles.

Along the 1763 shoreline, past what is now part of the nature reserve, and on to ancient Winchelsea. Walk around Winchelsea or return to Rye by bus.

Introduction to Winchelsea

3.40pm-4.40pm: start opposite New Inn, Winchelsea. Some muddy paths. 2 miles.

What happened to old Winchelsea and where’s the harbour? A tour around this quiet 13th Century new town. Return to Rye by bus.