Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex, UK

Jan 17, 2019 BY AWE365 Team

Not planning to go abroad for your next vacation? Fancy a British beach holiday? Then check out this guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex, UK.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex, UK

Being an island, Britain is surrounded by 11,000 miles of coastline. Much of which is dotted with glorious sandy beaches that on their day can be as enjoyable as anywhere else in the world.

One of the best in the UK is less than two hours from London on the South Coast. Forget Brighton, Bognor and Bournemouth, Camber Sands in East Sussex is the place to be. With seven miles of golden sand bordered by rolling sand dunes it’s perfect.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays

Camber Sands is famous for its long stretch of unspoilt sandy beach –  the ideal place for all traditional beachtime activities. The beach draws in sunseekers from all over the UK and beyond, and the most popular section of beach is near the western end and the mouth of the River Rother.

The beach is also perfect for families, with the pools of water left behind by the retreating tide. These provide the perfect material for building sandcastles, plus kids love to splash around in them.

There’s plenty of space for traditional ball games including cricket, tennis and football. Take the dog too – our canine companions are allowed full access at Camber Sands beach in the off season. Except for restricted zones, if dogs are on a lead they are also allowed on the beach from May to September.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex, UK

Did you know that Camber Sands features one of the purest and longest sand dune formations on the South Coast and the only one in East Sussex? In addition to the practical purpose of protecting the village of Camber from flooding, the dunes are a favourite playground for children of all ages and are also an important wildlife habitat.

Camber Sands beach holidays: What to do

If you’re holidaying in the area, you’ll be interested to hear that there’s more to Camber Sands than a fabulous beach. Other points of interest include:

Adventure activities

Beach and water sports enthusiasts will be thrilled to find beachcombing, horse riding and boat charter opportunities aplenty. For more adventurous holidaymakers, Camber Sands is one of the best places to learn kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing, with lessons readily available.

Visit Rye

The historic town of Rye is a short 4-mile drive from Camber, with stunning hilltop views across the Romney Marshes. Browse the cobbled streets with craft and antique shops, quaint cafes and tea rooms and great restaurants.

The Mermaid Inn is one of the oldest pubs in town, dating back to 1420. Rye has the wonderful unhurried ambience of a bygone era, with lots of beautiful period buildings and a lovely medieval church. There is a vibrant calendar of events including the Rye Society of Artists’ Summer Exhibition, the Rye Festival, Rye Arts Festival in September, the Rye Bonfire in November, and Rye Scallops Week.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex Flickr CC image of Rye by Pug Girl

Other nearby towns worth visiting include Winchelsea, allegedly the smallest town in England. Plus historic Hastings is not far away and in particular the Old Town is well worth a visit.

Explore historical sites

History buffs will be delighted to discover several places of interest close to Camber Sands. Dating back to Henry VIII, Camber Castle features an unusually unaltered artillery fort, there are guided tours available to have a proper look round.

Other castles in the area include Bodiam, Sissinghurst and Knole. Also take the opportunity to explore 1066 country and visit Battle Abbey while you’re in the area.

Experience Dungeness

Now imagine a large shingle beach, shipwrecks and colourful huts in a unique and eerie landscape. According to the Met Office Dungeness is Britain’s only desert – which makes it very unique!

It is also home to a nuclear power station, which you can visit for free – and is more interesting than you would think. Dungeness is one of the weirdest places in the UK, and a great opportunity for aspiring photographers.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex Flickr CC image of Dungeness by tcees

Discover Nature on foot

Just across the river from Camber Sands you’ll find SSII Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. It offers a variety of landscapes, with plenty of natural wildlife to observe. RSPB Dungeness is also only a few miles further.

Like to watch the sun rise or set? Enjoy the spectacle of birdlife in the wetlands? Prefer to explore an interesting mix of woodlands, saltmarshes, meadows and sands on foot? The area is perfect for long walks and wildlife watching where seaside meets countryside.

Camber Sands beach holidays: Where to stay

With Camber Sands being such a popular tourist destination, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no shortage of accommodation available. At the budget end, you’ll find no less than 22 campsites near Camber Sands, plus a couple of holiday parks with static caravans for hire.

For more privacy and style (and higher prices), there’s a wide range of cosy and characterful self-catering cottages to choose from. There is also luxury hotel accommodation in and around Rye for those who want to be truly pampered.

How to get to Camber Sands

Camber is easily accessible by road. From the west, take the A27 along the South Coast until Pevensey, where the road continues as the A259. Carry on just past Rye, and turn right onto Camber Road.

Guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex, UK

Alternatively, take the M20 between London and Folkestone and come off at J10 to join the A2070, then the A259 towards Rye. Just before Rye, turn left onto Camber Road which will take you to the village of Camber and the beach.

If you’re taking the train, the nearest railways station is Rye, four miles from Camber, on the Hastings to Ashford International line. From London, take the Eurostar from St Pancras and change at Ashford.

We hope you found this guide to Camber Sands beach holidays in East Sussex useful and interesting. Be sure to check out our East Sussex adventure discounts as you could save a fortune!

 
Battle, Camber, Dungeness, East Sussex, England, English Channel, Europe, Hastings, River Rother, Romney Marshes, Rye, United Kingdom, Winchelsea
Camping, Hiking, Kitesurfing, Sailing, Walking, Windsurfing
Bird watching, Cultural, Family, History
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