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Rainham Marshes is managed by the RSPB and is the largest area of the old Thames grazing marshes in Greater London. The area had been used as a firing range by the Ministry of Defence for some 100 years, but in 2000, the area of land was bought from the Ministry of Defence. With no activity for several years, the nature reserve was officially opened to the public in 2006. Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve protects an ancient, low-lying grazing marsh with wet grassland, ditches and scrub, and supports a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

Although it is called Rainham Marshes, the Reserve is actually on Wennington Marshes with a small part on Aveley Marshes. The actual Rainham Marshes are to the west, nearer the village of Rainham, and are not accessible.

In the distance can be seen some of the old shooting butts.