Camber Sands is a highly popular and absolutely stunning beach in East Sussex famed for its golden sand dune system, as most of the beaches in this area are shingle or pebble.
It is also a huge beach ranging over seven miles meaning there is plenty of space for everyone and you never feel overcrowded even on a busy summer’s day. With all of this in mind, I thought today I would share my eight favourite things to do in and around Camber Sands as there is plenty to explore both on and off the beach!
Photo credit: 1066 Country of Origin – Rye
Contents
10 things to do at Camber Sands
Visit famous film sites
actually, this activity is definitely unique to Camber Sands BUT it has actually been the site of lots of different TV and Film scenes! So, why not spend a morning walking around spotting all the different sights that appeared on screen! You can see where Dunkirk was filmed, stand where Doctor Who stood, and many others including The Longest Day, Afterlife, The Theory of Everything and The Inbetweeners. It’s the perfect activity for any film or tv buffs!
Try windsurfing and water sports
Camber Sands is the perfect spot to try out and hire some water sports equipment with the conditions here perfect for wind sports! If you’ve ever fancied yourself windsurfing this might be the perfect opportunity! There are plenty of hire places nearby, but I recommend Rye Watersports just down the road from the beach, they offer lessons in all major water sports as well as the opportunity to hire a range of equipment for you to try out.
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Photo credit: 1066 Country of Origin – Rye
Explore Rye
If you need a break from the sand and sea, I recommend checking out the beautiful town of Rye. Here you can walk down the cobbled streets taking in the medieval architecture and checking out a wide range of independent shops! This town has an exciting past filled with smugglers, secret passageways, and adventure- it’s well worth a visit!
Check out the local fauna and flora
Just down the coast from the main beach is Rye Harbour Nature Reserve one of the largest wildlife sites in England and home to more than 4,000 species of plants and animals, 300 of which are either rare or endangered! This makes it the perfect spot for a bit of wildlife watching; in particular you should keep an eye out for the breeding colonies of little and sandwich terns that have made the harbour their home.
Visit Camber castle
Camber Castle was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII as a defence to guard the port of Rye from invasion. The ruins are all that’s left of the impressive structure, which is only accessible by foot on a route from the town of Rye. Once here, you can take a guided tour or extend your walk to include some further military defence buildings along the coast, which is perfect for history fans!
Photo credit: 1066 Country of Origin – Rye
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Spend a day at the beach
Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? And the conditions on Camber sands are perfect for a range of activities to suit everyone. Whether you enjoy, building sand sculptures, taking a dip in the sea, or just relaxing on the sand there is something for everyone. You could even consider bringing a delicious picnic along with you to enjoy under the sun!
7. Go on a boat tour
If you get tired of sitting on the beach all day, why not consider a boat trip around the coast! There are several to choose from departing from Rye Harbour and lasting between 30 minutes to 2 hours. It’s just £20 for a 30 minute boat trip which will give you a unique view of the coastline; alternatively, if you want to see some wildlife, consider going on a seal safari! The boats can be booked per person, or you can choose to hire one as a group depending on how many people there is.
8. Walk or cycle the coastal routes
Walking or cycling has got to be one of the best ways to enjoy the views around Camber Sands! You can start your trip close to Rye train station and follow the National Cycle network all the way to Camber Sands passing the village of Camber and some lovely views of Northpoint Water and Rye Bay. Once you reach the beach you don’t even have to stop here you can continue to Rye harbour and the nature reserve or to Camber Castle. If you still want to go further, you should check out the Sussex Border path or the England Coast Past East.
Photo credit: 1066 Country of Origin – Rye
9. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is an important wildlife site that is the size of 600 football pitches and is set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape. It is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered. You can visit the mosaic of shingle beaches, saline lagoons, saltmarsh, grassland, scrub, gravel pits and reedbeds.
10. Eat some incredible food!
Enjoy stylish beachfront bistro dining in Camber or visit the cafes and restaurants of nearby Rye and Winchelsea, with stylish beachfront bistro dining in Camber. And so many amazing restaurants to visit, especially with fresh fish!!
A walk around the charming cobbled streets is essential, especially to the famous Mermaid Street, where a mix of timber-framed inns and elegant houses rejoice in eccentric names. Many of the beautifully preserved medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings are open to the public as fine restaurants, tearooms or pubs.
Have you been to Camber Sands? What was your favourite thing to do in Camber Sands? Let me know!
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