Camber Sands is one of the rare sandy beaches in East Sussex, famous for its sweeping dunes and golden sands. At low tide, the beach expands into vast stretches of sand, perfect for long walks, kite flying, and beach games.
The dunes behind the beach are a highlight, great to explore, especially early or late in the day when the light is gentle. You’ll often see wind-sculpted ripples in both sand and dunes, giving the place a wild, almost otherworldly feel.
The beach is divided into marked zoned areas (bathing, dog-restricted, and watersports). Although you can bring your dog to Camber Sands, dogs are prohibited in zoned areas between 1 May and 30 September.
The dunes are formed from the sand blown inland, which builds up around plants, debris and fences. A large section of the western end sits within the Camber Sands and Rye Saltings Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). At the same time, the rest is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.
The marram grass you see covering much of the dunes has a deep root system that helps hold the sand in place. Traditional chestnut fences along the beach help sand to build up more quickly. The combination of plants and fences at Camber Sands prevents the dunes from moving and burying the village.
Facilities at the beach include seasonal lifeguards, toilets with disabled access, a children’s play area, a slipway, a Coastal Control Office for lost children, first aid facilities, a cafe, and deckchair hire.
The village of Camber is very close to the beach, and you have a selection of holiday parks to the east of the village. In Camber, you have a choice of cafes, chip shops, general stores, a post office and a couple of pubs.
Getting to Camber Sands is easy. By Car, from Rye, follow the signs to Camber Sands. There are three main car parks: the Western Car Park on New Lydd Road, the Central Car Park, and the Car Park on Old Lydd Road. Both Western and Central also have large overflow car parks. Only Central has direct access to the beach, and you must navigate soft, sandy paths over the dunes to reach the beach from the Western car park, making this unsuitable for those with prams or wheelchairs.
If travelling by public transport, buses run from Rye and nearby towns; some shuttle services operate during peak season.
