Camber Sands

[sollyfromsurrey]

I'm looking for alternatives to Cornwall which whilst absolutely fabulous, is just such a long trek from London. Does anyone have much to say about Camber Sands? Is it unusually cold or windy or some other weather issue? What about the people who holiday there. Are they a bit common roudy or do they tend to be naice?

[jessstan2]

Camber Sands has a really beautiful beach but it is a bit - what you didn't want to say :-). However the beach with sand dunes is gorgeous.

If I went I wouldn't go during school holidays but choose a quieter time.

Whitstable is very nice indeed and the Tankerton side of Whistable boasts an excellent sandy beach. It's far more refined there than Camber Sands.

[Pascha]

Pontins Camber Sands. Nuff said.

[Notreallyhere23]

It can get really windy there too. Even if the surrounding areas look fine.

[SellMySoulForMoreSleep]

Too windy!

[LiberteEgaliteChardonnay]

Pontis camber sands.If you want a good laugh, read the reviews on trip advisor. But then, you will see how so many people had their holidays ruined there, and that's not funny. Anywhere else but Pontins might be fine. But Pontins, stay well away.

[LiberteEgaliteChardonnay]

Pontiin's camber sands.If you want a good laugh, read the reviews on trip advisor. But then, you will see how so many people had their holidays ruined there, and that's not funny. Anywhere else but Pontins might be fine. But Pontins, stay well away.

[sollyfromsurrey]

I was thinking about the beachfront cottages on Airbnb. But the one I am looking like isn't cheap so it would be a no-go if the beach was all Pontins during the summer.

[wallyfeatures]

The beach is gorgeous. If you are not staying in certain accommodation with certain types of people and are prepared to walk away from the hoards on a hot day it is the most fabulous beach. Rye is a quanit little medieaval town a few miles away and there is lots to see and do in the area. Vineyards, castles etc.... I wish Pontins would disappear into a big hole...

[Bestseller]

It's a beautiful beach with gently shelving sea and some lovely coastal walks but precious little else and a reputation for "weekenders", where groups of the middle aged go to recreate their youth. Last time I was there a drunken grandmother had to be reduced after falling down the cliff she was attempting to walk down.

The beach is huge though so if you don't mind a bit of a walk from the car parks you can easily get a spot away from everyone else.

[wallyfeatures]

No cliffs at Camber, just sand dunes.

[Bestseller]

Yes, sorry fell down the dunes, but they're as big as cliffs!. She was in hospital for weeks, by a bizarre coincidence she was GM to a friend of a friend and I heard about it afterwards as well as witnessing it.

[wallyfeatures]

I'll agree that those dunes are big Bestseller . Sorry I'm not usually so pedantic, I just know that beach like the back of my hand grin Does sound a bit scary for her.

[whataboutbob]

Bear in mind that the quieter end of the beach is accessible for dogs and unfortunately not all owners are scrupulous about picking up....

[Urbanvoltaire]

Camber sands has a long tidal reach so if the tide is out, you're walking for ages to get to the shore. Also, on hot sunny weekends, it gets packed (think London-on-sea day trippers) and you have to get there early for parking. It is a trek to carry your beach stuff over the dunes. Finally, I can't totally remember but I don't think toilet facilities were that accessible.

I prefer eg Broadstairs and some of the other smaller bays between there & Margate, Joss Bay being one.

[Puffthemagicdragongoestobed]

Have you looked at the Dorset coast as an alternative? Much closer to London than Cornwall. How long are you planning to go for?

[flumpybear]

Broadstairs would win my vote.
I also recall there were some people carried out to sea with rip tides at Camber a few years ago

[jessstan2]

I do hope you go, off peak. Airbnb sounds ideal

I went there on a day trip from school in my last year at prep, I was eleven. Never forgotten it, beautiful sand dunes. I've been as an adult, was staying somewhere else but not far. It was very commercialised, however that was in school holidays. At other times I think you'd experience the real charm of the place.

There are other nearby places to visit including a nature reserve which is interesting and beautiful. Rye is nice and please do look up PETT LEVEL. A prehistoric beach, petrified forest, I kid you not. It's out of this world. You can even do a little barbecue on the beach but take sandals or jellies because there is pebble and mud before you get to the sea.
Rock pools too. You could drive past and miss it but if you find it you won't be disappointed.

[Ifailed]

I'd second Broadstairs, especially the beech at Dumpton bay - very family friendly and few commercial distractions. Easy to reach from London, either by road or rail.

[LEMtheoriginal]

I wouldn't pick camber sands because its maniacally busy and there is nothing on offer other than the beach in the local vicinity.

Just down the road you have rye harbour which i discovered this year. Really lovely place. There is a naice non pontins caravan site and i would imagine plenty air bnbs. Rye town is great too

Camber sands is very " bucket and spade " and the tides are dangerous. Id not let my children swim there. The tides come in ridiculously quickly and you can get cut off.

Whitstable is fantastic however there is no sandy beach in tankerton. I prefer pebbles anyway.

Plenty of places on the kent coast much nicer than camber which sadly has been ruined by pontins - not snobbery just the sheer number of people.

[LesLavandes]

I love Camber. I used to live about 30 minutes away. However, I visited off season. I never went in summer. I had no idea it was considered 'common' !!!!
Also, I have never seen Pontins. There are a few snazzy and expensive houses on the beach. Can you go off season?

[heidiwine]

I love Camber but only off season. The beach is huge and the tide goes out for miles and miles. There’s a posh hotel called the Gallivant just off the beach we’ve stayed there and had the nicest weekend. Rye is a lovely town too and close by.
That said I’ve never been in the summer. I have been to Cornwall and Dorset. I would also love to go to Suffolk in the summer. Beautiful beaches there (but not sandy like Cornwall).

[Callmecordelia]

Come to Folkestone OP. It has both a sandy and shingle beach, lots of restaurants, art, lovely parks. During the last triennial I actually overheard a man say to his wife, "why do we go all the way to Cornwall when this is so much closer?"

I actually do know Camber quite well too, but wouldn't go during the summer holidays. Far too crowded and parking is a nightmare.

[sollyfromsurrey]

People have mentioned a 'quiet end' with dogs. Which end is the quiet end please?

[whataboutbob]

The end furthest away from the shops, near rye harbour. It’s also more pebbly.

[avocadoincident]

DO NOT GO NEAR PONTINS...yes I'm shouting