Discover Camber Sands, Rye and the East Sussex coast

There’s far more to this corner of the coast than a day on the beach.

From the rolling dunes of Camber Sands and the cobbled streets of Rye to quiet coastal walks, brilliant local food, wildlife, vineyards, galleries and family adventures, there is plenty to discover while you’re here.

We live and work locally, so this is where we share the places we genuinely think are worth your time. Whether you’re planning an entire week, looking for somewhere for lunch or wondering what to do when the weather changes, start exploring below.

Discover Camber Sands

Camber is best known for its huge sweep of golden sand, but there’s plenty more to discover once you arrive.

Spend a morning exploring the dunes, walk or cycle towards Rye, try your hand at watersports or simply find a quiet stretch of beach and settle in for the day. The surrounding landscape is wonderfully open, with Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour and the Kent coast all within easy reach.

Families can fill days with sandcastles, kite flying and coastal adventures, while walkers, cyclists and dog owners have miles of shoreline and countryside to explore.

If this is your first visit, start with our Camber Sands guide, where you’ll find everything from the beach and parking to places to eat, walks and ideas for days out.

Explore camber

Camber Sands guide

Everything you need to plan your time at Camber, including the beach, dunes, parking, food and things to do.

Local walks around Camber

From an easy stroll along the sands to routes towards Rye, Rye Harbour and the surrounding marshes.

Family-friendly beaches

Discover some of our favourite beaches across East Sussex and Kent for days by the sea.

October half term in Camber Sands

Ideas for beach days, family adventures and autumn exploring during the October school holidays.

Discover rye

Just a few miles inland, Rye feels completely different.

Medieval streets, old inns, independent shops, galleries and an unusually good collection of places to eat make it easy to lose a day wandering around without much of a plan.

Start around Mermaid Street and the historic centre before exploring the antique shops, cafés and galleries tucked between the cobbles. If you fancy stretching your legs, walk towards Rye Harbour Nature Reserve or follow the River Rother out towards the coast.

Rye is particularly good when the weather isn’t cooperating with your beach plans. You can spend the morning browsing shops and galleries, stop somewhere cosy for lunch and still be back at Camber in time for an evening walk across the sand.

Explore camber

Where to eat in Rye and Camber

Local seafood, relaxed cafés, pubs, special-occasion restaurants and some of our favourite places to eat.

Our coastal art guide

Explore galleries and creative destinations around Rye, Hastings, Folkestone and the wider coast.

A local guide to Rye

What to see, where to wander and the places worth adding to your stay.

What’s on in Rye

Seasonal events, festivals and reasons to plan another visit.

Discover Winchelsea & Pett Level

For something quieter, head west towards Winchelsea and Pett Level.

This part of the coast swaps Camber’s sweeping sand for open countryside, shingle beaches, rock pools and enormous skies. It’s a lovely choice for slower days, long walks and afternoons where you don’t particularly need an itinerary.

Explore historic Winchelsea, follow the coastline towards Pett Level or combine a beach walk with Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. At low tide there’s even more coastline to investigate, making it particularly good for curious children and anyone happiest outside.

It’s also an excellent antidote to the busier summer months. Pack a picnic, bring the walking boots and take your time.

Explore Winchelsea & Pett Level

Where to eat in Rye and Camber

Local seafood, relaxed cafés, pubs, special-occasion restaurants and some of our favourite places to eat.

Our coastal art guide

Explore galleries and creative destinations around Rye, Hastings, Folkestone and the wider coast.

A local guide to Rye

What to see, where to wander and the places worth adding to your stay.

What’s on in Rye

Seasonal events, festivals and reasons to plan another visit.

Find your kind of day

Family adventures

Beach days, castles, animals, steam trains, outdoor adventures and rainy-day rescues. Find days out that work for children without making the adults miserable.

Family Days out

Eat & drink

From seafood by the coast and relaxed pub lunches to Rye restaurants, local produce and Sussex vineyards, eating well is one of the easiest parts of staying here.

Places to eat & drink

Walks & wild places

Dunes, marshland, beaches, nature reserves and countryside trails all sit within a remarkably small area. Pick something short before lunch or disappear for most of the day.

Explore local walks

Arts & culture

Rye’s galleries are only the beginning. Follow the coast towards Hastings and Folkestone and you’ll find exhibitions, studios, historic houses and some genuinely brilliant contemporary art.

Explore our art guide

Dog-friendly adventures

Long beach walks, pub stops, countryside routes and plenty of space to burn off some energy. Discover some of our favourite places to explore with four-legged visitors.

Dog-friendly things to do

Walks & wild places

Dunes, marshland, beaches, nature reserves and countryside trails all sit within a remarkably small area. Pick something short before lunch or disappear for most of the day.

Explore local walks

A little local knowledge goes a long way

There are plenty of generic lists telling you the “top 10 things to do in East Sussex.”

That isn’t really what this guide is for.

We want to help you find the places we would actually recommend to friends staying here. Sometimes that’s one of the area’s best-known attractions. Sometimes it’s a stretch of beach, an independent café, a great walk or somewhere you might drive straight past if nobody told you to stop.

Keep exploring our guides, or get in touch if you’re staying with us and need a recommendation.

Make a stay of it

The difficult part isn’t finding things to do. It’s fitting them all in.

Our holiday cottages put Camber Sands, Rye, Winchelsea, Pett Level and the surrounding East Sussex and Kent coast within easy reach, whether you’re planning a family beach holiday, a weekend away or a few quiet days by the sea.

Explore with the seasons

There’s no wrong season for the coast

Summer might get most of the attention, but some of our favourite days here happen once the crowds have gone.

Spring brings longer walks and the first proper days outdoors. Autumn means quieter beaches, big skies and half-term adventures. Winter is made for windswept walks followed by somewhere warm for lunch.

Explore our latest seasonal guides and find out what’s happening during your stay.

Find your holiday cottage

Check availability

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do near Camber Sands?

Start with Camber Sands itself before exploring nearby Rye, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Winchelsea and Pett Level. The area is particularly good for beach days, walking, cycling, watersports, family attractions, local food and historic towns.

Is there more to do around Camber Sands than the beach?

Absolutely. Rye is only a short journey away, while Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, local vineyards, historic castles, galleries, walking routes and family attractions make it easy to plan several very different days during one stay.

What can families do near Camber Sands?

Alongside the beach and dunes, families can explore nature reserves, castles, wildlife attractions, watersports, cycling routes and plenty of attractions across East Sussex and Kent.

What can you do near Camber Sands when it rains?

Rye is a good place to start, with independent shops, cafés, historic attractions, galleries and an independent cinema. There are also museums, galleries and indoor attractions throughout the surrounding coast.

Where should I visit near Rye and Camber Sands?

Winchelsea, Pett Level, Rye Harbour, Dungeness and Hastings are all worth exploring, with each offering a very different side of the East Sussex and Kent coast.