Holiday rentals in Camber Sands

The vast unspoilt beach of Camber Sands is one of the best on the South Coast. Whereas most others are shingle, here biscuity sands run for miles, backed by gorgeously tufted dunes. The beach feels wild and untouched, thrillingly huge and open, and although a couple of holiday parks in Camber village have drawn families for cabaret and crazy golf for decades, there has been very little seafront development. Indeed the dunes at the western end are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an important habitat for rare plant and moth species and wintering birds.

Camber Sands is a great location for exploring the highlights of East Sussex and Kent. Beaches, white cliffs, and cool towns such as Hastings and Folkestone lie along the coast, while inland are Romney Marshes and the High Weald of Kent. The latter’s swath of hilly woodland and farm country is full of orchards, farm shops, and some top-notch pubs, plus fabulously picture-book Bodiam Castle, with its turrets and a moat.

Camber Sands is wonderful in any weather. Growing numbers of cold-water swimming fanatics come to take a dip here in their bobble hats even on a bracing December day, though most visitors will find the holiday vibes of summer preferable. September is pleasant, with school holiday crowds gone, and the water still deliciously warm thanks to months of sunshine (disclaimer: not warm warm, but, you know, English warm). The area hosts a marvellous variety of events year-round, especially in Hastings. Its February Mardi Gras, May “Jack of the Green” festival, Halloween, and Bonfire Night are all great fun. August also brings Rye’s International Jazz Festival.

Sunset

At sunset at low tide, endless pools of shallow water become mirrors to the rose-pink, tangerine, and lilac skies above, creating an incredible effect. Wander out into this wonderland of pastel-tinted reflections, then tuck yourself into a hidden nook among the dunes with a book to wait for another sublime celestial spectacle when the stars come out.

Rye

Camber village can sort you out for basic essentials and fish and chips, but it’s in ancient Rye where you’ll find food, shopping, and merriment. Tumbledown half-timbered Tudor buildings and olde worlde pubs intermingle with a new generation of sleekly styled cafes and antique shops in its cobbled alleys. Rye Harbour is also a good spot to begin walks or visit a pub.

Dungeness

Surreal and captivating, Dungeness provides an intoxicating mix of weirdness you never knew you wanted. This stark natural shingle spit is home to two mammoth nuclear power stations, a nature reserve, seafood shacks and pubs, some amazing architectural conversions including old abandoned railway carriages transformed into sleek holiday pads, and a quirky garden.