RSPB Rainham Marshes Reviews Summary

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Very helpful and friendly staff."
• "RSPB staff immensely friendly and helpful, mapping and advising you on the best paths around the marsh."
• "The staff in the cafe and shop were very friendly - especially Howard - who went over and above to make us feel welcome."
• "The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful."
• "The staff were very welcoming and friendly with lots of guidance about the reserve."
• "Exceptional staff especially the head warden Jamie."
• "Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.. cool cafe overlooking reserve."

Cons:

• "A member of staff was rather rude, unhelpful and slid my plate along the counter with such force that the sausage rolls I ordered were then staring at me from the floor."
• "Unfortunately the cafe service was very slow and the food provided uninspired, minimal and basic, although the staff were pleasant."
• "RSPB staff very pushy to get you out by 5pm on the dot stating your car will get locked in and chased people out of reserve from 430pm."
• "Was very disappointed by how rudely we were all spoken to by the lady serving in the cafe."
• "Bad planning and management and as with most RSPB staff they are very unfriendly and unhelpful."
• "Not rude or anything but a smile and a thank you wouldn't go a miss."
• "I’ll keep coming as my children love this place but I’ve seen a change of the staff behaviour."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "Totally wheelchair and buggy accessible."
• "Excellent nature reserve, there is an all weather circular path round the site with strategically placed hides."
• "There are a number of hides and walkways making it highly accessible."
• "The reserve is accessible to wheelchair users with good pathways."
• "Clearly defined level paths. Wheelchair access from car park via slope Car park free."
• "The whole reserve is also accessible for those with limited mobility."
• "The reserve is accessible to wheelchair users with good pathways."

Cons:

• "Lockdown 3, means cafe/RSPB centre/hides and shop are closed."
• "A large section was closed due to dangerous boardwalks and that meant it was impossible to complete a circular route all the way round."
• "Roughly 75% of walkways are shut(broken) and electric fences close of all of the paths onto the Marsh."
• "It is suitable for wheelchair users but the boardwalk areas can make for an uncomfortable ride."
• "Be very careful if you park your vehicle in the parking area. If you take a walk and try to collect your vehicle after closing hours you will have to come back the next day as it will be locked up."
• "Unfortunately, hard to get there by public transport."
• "Not a great walking approach from quite sparse public transport so a bike or (non-intuitively) a car is probably needed."

Nature and Wildlife

Pros:

• "Such a beautiful place for a stroll for bird lovers."
• "A wide range of wildlife from spoonbills to stoats."
• "Wonderful opportunities to view wildlife and even though it is close to London it felt like I was back in Suffolk surrounded by fields and open space and nature."
• "An amazing place with a huge variety of bird life!"
• "Lovely place to see a variety of water-based bird life."
• "This is an amazing nature reserve so close to the city. Well organised spots to see wildlife."
• "A wonderful RSPB reserve providing an amazing environment for birds, butterflies & a huge variety of wildlife."

Cons:

• "All the rubbish from the adjacent land fill side is flying into the west side of the Marsh on what was a windy day."
• "Group of men making their own fire pits at random spots and leaving a mess of broken bottles and needles."
• "Unfortunately you don't see butterflies anymore due to the filthy pesticides spayed on everything."
• "Dog owners do not clean after their dogs."
• "The place was a bit dilapidated as mentioned by others and also a bit unkempt and overgrown, brambles growing across walkways etc."
• "How children are supposed to see anything as the reeds and grass are left to grow so out of control."
• "Nice walk but the shoreline is full of rubbish."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "Please don't put that off having a snack in the cafe though the cakes are very scrumptious."
• "Also nice cafe with views over the reserve and the Thames were you might see seal resting on mud at low tides."
• "Their café is also very impressive with good coffees and fresh home-made cakes and wonderful view of the marshes."
• "Cafe has an open view for the birds. The sausage baps is delish."
• "The cafe makes delicious home made soup which is well worth a visit on its own."
• "The cafe sells really good food, hot and cold."
• "Great tea room with spectacular views over the nature reserve and Thames."

Cons:

• "The cafe was a little on the expensive which is to be expected."
• "If I would have paid the £6.50 for non members I would have been a tad disappointed as I cannot fathom, apart from the visitors center, what I would be paying for."
• "Unfortunately the cafe service was very slow and the food provided uninspired, minimal and basic, although the staff were pleasant."
• "Not much shade available until nearer the end of the trail, so to be kept in mind :)"
• "Taking two of our friends who are not members, they were not impressed with the distinct paucity of birds."
• "Was very disappointed by how rudely we were all spoken to by the lady serving in the cafe."
• "The weather is changable but just remember the cafe shuts at 5!"