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Original poster

Day trip to Camber Sands?

57 replies

Splitsunrise · 07/08/2020 18:16

First off I know it's been one of the beaches in the news today for being rammed! We're thinking of going tomorrow...... we'd take the train (don't have a car), go really early, and walk as far along the beach as we can, as I know it's 3 miles long. Hopefully we would have a better chance of it being slightly quieter! Other option is doing it on Sunday instead as the trains seem to be running the same then, though obviously shops would shut early.

Any advice? Is there anywhere decent to get fish and chips or other food that's not a sit down meal? Is there anywhere to refill water bottles?

Thank you!

OP posts:
boreda11 · 07/08/2020 18:20

Advice? Don't go.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 07/08/2020 18:21

Don't go.

blue25 · 07/08/2020 18:24

No, don’t go, especially not on a train.

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Lindy2 · 07/08/2020 18:25

I really can't see any appeal in a day out on an absolutely crowded beach on a boiling hot day - even without Coronavirus. Why are people doing this or even thinking about it.

Surely you have somewhere else you can go to OP which is less crowded, doesn't involve going on a potentially busy train and is a hell of a lot nicer and safer.

MacduffsMuff · 07/08/2020 18:26

Don't.

Cattiwampus · 07/08/2020 18:27

So you’re going to sit on a crammed beach in 35 degree heat, hoping that there are enough toilet facilities and access to drinking water.

How very English. Let us know how it goes.

diggadoo · 07/08/2020 18:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the request of the OP.

Equimum · 07/08/2020 18:27

Camber is amazing.

Firstly, I assume you know that it is fair walk from the nearest station in Rye? I’d guess it would probably take over an hour, although I’ve never done it.

As for food, there aren’t many options there. It’s doesn’t have a ‘seafront’ as such - there are two or three cafes clustered together near the carparks and that’s about it. There might possibly be more of a restaurant-type place across the road, near the holiday parks, but I’m not entirely sure.

The dunes are amazing, but do be careful if swimming, and stay where the lifeguards are, as there is a really nasty riptide.

If you go, have a lovely day.

Cattiwampus · 07/08/2020 18:30

It’s about 4 miles from the station in Rye to Camber sands.

supercalifragilistic123 · 07/08/2020 18:30

Yeh really don't go! There are other beaches. Camber is great but really not set up to get as busy as it does. The (only) road in is regularly blocked off or gridlocked. There's no way I'd go on public transport and definitely not on one of the hottest days of the year. The police closed the road off at 8.30am the other week as it was full already. My family live near at its a nightmare even to visit them!

weareyoung · 07/08/2020 18:31

Fuck me, don't do it. Just don't.

Ricekrispie22 · 07/08/2020 18:34

Bus 120 goes from Rye to Camber Sands every 30 minutes, and takes about 20 minutes.
The sandiest, and therefore most popular, section of the beach is the western end, nearest to Rye. As you walk east along the beach it transitions into shingle.
Even on a glorious day, it can be windy. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
When the tide is out, it feels close on a mile to the water’s edge. But you don’t want to be caught unawares when the tide comes in, which it does at pace!
There are loads of places for fish and chips. The Pelican Fish Bar is probably your best bet for takeaway.

Kitchenkitchenkitchen · 07/08/2020 18:34

My parents live near there it's been horrendous. It's a long way from rye so cannot see how you would walk it.

You probably couldn't taxi it as on previous hot days the traffic has stacked back to rye and gridlocked whole area. I'm not sure about all of it but the bit I go on has one small cafe and toilet.

MrsSpookyM · 07/08/2020 18:36

I wouldn't. It's over an hour walk from the train station.

I don't recall there being anywhere to fill water bottles.

Original poster
Splitsunrise · 07/08/2020 18:38

Positive feedback then Grin

OP posts:
Callmecordelia · 07/08/2020 18:38

I've rarely heard of a more insane plan. Sorry OP.

There's barely any facilities, it's a long walk miles from Rye station down a busy road, and I'm not sure there are always paths, it's rammed with cars down there at the moment. Just don't go. If you must go on a trip to the seaside by train go to Folkestone, Deal or Walmer.

Just be aware that social distancing will be non existent.

RoseMartha · 07/08/2020 18:42

I would not go. It will not be great if crowded which I imagine it will be given weather forecast.

I know they are not sandy unless low tide but you should find a quieter beach at Hastings, Bexhill or Eastbourne.

Littlebelina · 07/08/2020 18:46

We went to camber last year briefly. I'm sure it's beautiful when it's quiet however it was really busy and the tide was in so everyone was crammed around the life guards. People had left rubbish everywhere including dirty nappies washing up in the surf. I might go back on a nice winter's day for a walk but not on a hot summer saturday even without covid, sorry.

Deal/walmer isn't a bad shout as there is lots of beach but it's stony. Folkestone has a small sandy beach which I suspect will be busy and a large stony. If you definitely want sandy you could brave margate but head west along the coast towards westbrook perhaps (next bay along)

RiceRice · 07/08/2020 18:48

Dont go! I couldn't think of anything worse tbh
I live relatively near a beach and I havnt left the house today, the roads nearby had 15 mile tailbacks😏

itsgettingweird · 07/08/2020 18:52

I went to Camber sands when we holidayed in Rye about 8 years ago.

Camber sands was very very busy and rye itself is a very steep village and not a great deal about.

Personally I think visiting a beach if you want to is fine. But I'd look at other options than Camber.

Where are you travelling from? (Rough area not asking you to out yourself Grin)

But you may find Hastings a better option for a starting point to look at?
Much bigger and much more in the way of faculties.

MrsSpookyM · 07/08/2020 18:53

We walked from east runton to west runton last Saturday. Loads of space on the beach, and a couple of chippies in between. Can you get there?

InTheWings · 07/08/2020 18:58

Bexhill-On-Sea,

If mad busy in the middle of the town, head West, the beach just continues.

Original poster
Splitsunrise · 07/08/2020 19:00

Ok ok ok. Fine. You've put me off. The beach itself looks lovely but maybe I'll try it later on in the year and not on a hot day!

Other ideas?! I am in SW London and would need to be able to get there by train. Thinking of Broadstairs? It would be great to have a sandy beach and somewhere with a cafe/little supermarket/toilets/decent fish and chip shop! It doesn't have to be perfect, just a low key decent day out! I went to Whitstable last week which was lovely, especially the walk from whitstable to Herne bay. Somewhere with a scenic walk would be nice, though maybe it will be too hot for that!

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 07/08/2020 19:01

Pls don’t be one of those people I just saw on the news “oh it’s really busy” Hmm no shit!

Original poster
Splitsunrise · 07/08/2020 19:04

Well if I did go I certainly wouldn't complain on the news how busy it was!

OP posts: