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Original poster

Have you been to Camber Sands? Is it nice?

44 replies

Montuaklighthouse · 18/05/2022 14:30

Have been given an sort of, open invite to use a friends parents holiday place in Camber Sands at ‘mates rates’, which is lovely and generous. So am wondering what it’s like as haven’t ever been to that part of the south coastline.

Have you been? What’s it like?

We have 3 kids (2 primary age, 1 older) if that makes any difference..

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 18/05/2022 14:35

I'm from Kent. I last went to camber sands years ago. From my recollection the beach is lovely and sandy. The sea can be treacherous so be very careful. When I went, the surrounding area wasn't great tbh but it may have changed.

Smartsub · 18/05/2022 14:39

The beach is massive and beautiful. Apart from the Pontins holiday camp, there's not much else there. (Which is good in my book) The sea shelves gently, I thought that was part of the attraction, I didn't realise it was especially treacherous.

Sauvignonblanket · 18/05/2022 14:50

It's a great beach with a few different car parks and cafes - although a long walk to the sea at low tide - and Rye is lovely to visit. I'd love to be able to stay nearby.

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Original poster
Montuaklighthouse · 18/05/2022 14:59

Thanks everyone.

Ohh I’ve been Googling photos of the beach, it looks huge with lovely dunes! Who knew!Star

Rye looks nice too I think?

OP posts:
LanaGardner · 18/05/2022 15:00

Actually went when I was in primary school a very VERY long time ago, remember climbing Rye castle and being so happy, not much help to you now other than I'm fairly sure your children will love it as I still can remember it.

TooManyPJs · 18/05/2022 15:02

Beach is lovely. Went there a lot as a child - tip don't let your child drag bags over the dunes as this can result in a sand filled camera (😩)

Roads in can be very busy in the summer so can take a long time to drive in due to traffic jams.

Rye is also very pretty.

PsychoSyd · 18/05/2022 15:02

The water is sludgy grey in colour. Try & use public transport if you can because the car parks are expensive & limited. There's only one road in & out, & it's ridiculously busy when the weather is nice.

Be aware of the tide times. When the tide goes out, it does so for a mile or so, leaving mostly mud behind. As a pp said, the water can be treacherous - cold, with tip tides. If you're not a strong or confident sea swimmer, please PLEASE think twice about going for a dip as the lifeguards are stretched already. And it should go without saying don't take inflatables into the water.

Having said all that, it's a nice sandy beach & when the weather is clear, you can see France!

warofthemonstertrucks · 18/05/2022 15:13

The beach is lovely (but as pp said be careful of the tides). Rye is one of my favourites places in England-it's just lovely!

Shade17 · 18/05/2022 18:44

I went to the Caravan Club Camber Sands weekend once as a teenager.

maddiemookins16mum · 18/05/2022 18:46

Was at the beach on Saturday, it’s fab.

Pallisers · 18/05/2022 18:50

We went there when the kids were about 14 10 and 9. Rented a really nice house. We used it mostly as a base - went to Rye, Dover Castle, Battle, Leeds Castle, Hever House (if that is the right name for anne bolyn's childhood home). Our kids were big into the history/dungeons/kings and queens at the time so it was lovely. Many years later they still talk about the strawberries in Kent - we'd buy punnets of them every day at the side of the road.

queencrunch · 18/05/2022 18:52

Camber sands beach is lovely. Watch the tides though. Parking expensive but if your staying at camber you can walk. It's definitely improved in recent years. Also in peak season watch for a man selling parking in his field. Used to be £5 a day. Much cheaper!

You've also got Dymchurch and dungeness nearby. Dungeness is gorgeous in its own special way.

LIZS · 18/05/2022 18:55

Nice beach, watch the tides, currents and quicksand. A lot of caravan parks front onto the beach.

EmilyBolton · 18/05/2022 18:56

I went on holiday as a child. Temperature hit 100 degree. All of us got hideously sunburnt - it’s was 1970s and mum only had like factor 15
5 years ago I got skin cancer.
I have never been sunburnt since that time…I ‘ve never liked the heat or direct sun - so camber sands = skin cancer to me
sorry
moral of story- takes loads of factor 50, hats and cover ups …once tides out and you’re a long way out there is no shade
😳

superram · 18/05/2022 19:00

Beach is nice but I found it very windy, can be dangerous due to rip tides. Really busy, hard to park. Near a pontins and we found the whole beach covered in litter including glass bottles, I wouldn’t go back as it was dangerous for kids and I’m not interested in spending time with ‘happy campers’ that come en masse, bbq when not allowed and generally be a nuisance. Disclaimer-we may have been unlucky with the pontin’s clientele but I’m not convinced.

Roselilly36 · 18/05/2022 19:00

Camber is fine, but Pontins is the pits, definitely don’t stay there, Park Resort is the better option, the beach is great, nothing else there. If it’s windy expect to get sand blasted on the beach. Rye is historic and has more to do, lots of restaurants, pubs etc, better shops etc. Also shopping at the designer outlet in Ashford was good the last time we went., not too far from Rye.

TheWelshposter · 18/05/2022 19:04

I'm sure I've seen an Inbetweeners episode about this!

TheWelshposter · 18/05/2022 19:04

The Camber Sands caravan club I mean!

MargaretThursday · 18/05/2022 19:07

Camber Sands is lovely but as a family we prefer Dymchurch a bit along the beach.
Dymchurch has a lovely sea wall to leave your stuff on so it doesn't get too sandy (which is especially important when you have a dc who has sensory issues round sand), a small fun fair, fish and chips and nice ice cream places. Lots of space to park and if it gets cold you can walk down and go on the mini railway.

However nothing really beats being able to walk down to the sea early in the morning and have a swim before anyone else gets there. Even if staying in Pontins was how we did that.

Junobug · 18/05/2022 19:12

If you drive slightly towards Dungeness, hou can park on the beach road for free and the beach is much, much quieter but still sandy. I think Camber is a good base to visit the area if it's a good price. There are also some good kite surfing and water sport lessons locally.

nearlyspringyay · 18/05/2022 19:12

We love it. Go a couple of times a year for a weekend. The beach is beautiful, but there is nothing in camber itself apart from the beach so you need to drive somewhere
For something to do if the weather is shite.

Rye is lovely.

You ideally want the house to be walking distance to the beach - parking is a nightmare in summer.

Avoid Pontins like the plague!

Lesperance · 18/05/2022 19:18

There's nothing in Rye for kids, it's really boring and a bit twee for that age.

Ginandcrispsarebliss · 18/05/2022 19:19

Hi OP, I live near Camber Sands, The beach is beautiful but watch the tides.
Rye is lovely with pubs, shops, cafes.
Bodiam boating Station isn't fair. 20 minutes from Rye where you can hire boats on the river and the cafe is nice.
My children loved the funfair at Dymchurch and the little train which goes to Dungeness. Hythe is further on from Dymchurch but a nice place to visit.
Have a nice time. It is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy yourselves OP.

Ginandcrispsarebliss · 18/05/2022 19:20

Meant to say. Isn't far away. Not fair.

AceofPentacles · 18/05/2022 19:20

Camber is a bit of a dump and the beach had a lot of litter last time we went . Winchelsea is nice although pebbley .