Camber Sands beach
The only sand dune system in East Sussex and seven miles of golden sand, a rarity on this mostly shingle coast. Film crews use it as a stand-in for deserts. You can just use it for sandcastles.
Camber is a place that rewards the unhurried. The beach changes character with every tide: at low water the sea retreats a very long way and leaves warm, shallow lagoons perfect for paddling; at high water the dunes feel wild and windswept. Beachside Cottage is a short walk from it all.
The lie of the land
The sand is softest and widest towards the River Rother end of the beach, becoming more shingly out east towards Jury’s Gap and Dungeness. At low tide the sea goes out a very long way, leaving ridges, warm pools and streams that children adore. The dunes behind are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so please keep to the boarded and worn paths and keep dogs on leads when crossing them.
Best times to go
Early morning and late afternoon are magical, and much quieter in summer. Aim for the couple of hours either side of low tide for the biggest beach. Out of season you may have whole stretches to yourselves, and the winter light here is something rather special. Always check the tide the night before: an incoming tide moves fast and can cut off sandbars.
- Tide tables
- BBC coast and sea tide tables (search Rye Bay / Rye Harbour), or the Met Office equivalent.
- Lifeguards
- RNLI lifeguards patrol the central beach daily from early May to late September, roughly 10am to 6pm (Camber West from late May). Swim between the red and yellow flags, never when the red flag flies. RNLI
- The one serious note
- Never swim near the harbour mouth, where currents are strong. Watch for sandbars on an incoming tide, because water can wrap around behind you faster than you expect. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Lost children
- A children’s wristband scheme for reuniting lost little ones runs from the coastal office in season.
- Facilities
- Toilets by the Central car park and at the Welcome Centre (opened 2025), which includes a Changing Places facility.
- Parking for visitors
- Rother District Council runs three car parks: Camber Central and Old Lydd Road (both TN31 7RH) and Camber Western (TN31 7RB). All three are pay on entry in summer and pay and display in winter, gates locked at 8pm. Broomhill Sands at the eastern end (TN31 7SB) is currently free with a height barrier. On hot summer weekends everything fills by mid-morning. Rother District Council
- Dogs
- Welcome all year. From 1 May to 30 September dogs must stay out of the zoned bathing areas; look for the round dog signs at every entrance. From 1 October to 30 April the whole beach is open. Leads in the dunes at all times. Full details in our dog walks guide.
- Beach rules
- Only raised gas barbecues, and only at the western end; disposables are banned and the dunes are strictly no-fire. Groups of ten or more need council permission; horse riding is restricted to early and late hours in summer; the beach has been voluntarily smoke-free since 2025.
- Beach questions
- Rother District Council Coast Office (facilities, dog-zone maps, lost property): 01797 225207, or ask the beach patrol in person.
Watersports
Camber is one of the UK’s great kitesurfing beaches, with a dedicated kite zone at the eastern (Broomhill) end and three licensed schools teaching kitesurfing, kite buggying, landboarding and wing foiling. Rye Watersports teaches sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding on flat, safe water at Northpoint Water. Surf and paddleboard hire are available in the village. Read the full kitesurfing, surfing and watersports guide.
Walking from the cottage
No plan needed: head over the dunes, pick a direction and walk until the kettle calls you home. Sunrise over the sea and the marram grass is the single best free thing this holiday has to offer. For longer outings such as the golf links circular, the walk to Rye and the Rye Harbour classics, see walks for everyone and dog walks.
A short walk from the sand
Beachside Cottage sits in Camber village with the beach, shop and pub all within walking distance, so there is no car park to race for and every low tide is yours.
Wish you were here?
You could be.
Sandy floors forgiven, sunsets encouraged, and seconds of everything. Check live availability and book your dates securely online.