Camber Sands, East Sussex


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General

Camber Sands are situated between Rye in East Sussex and Lydd in Kent, just to the east of Rye Harbour and the Rother Estuary.
During the summer, the beach attracts thousands of (textile) visitors, many from the the nearby holiday centre. Despite this naturists have long been reputed to use the "remoter parts" - particularly mid-week.
Camber Sands has been used as a location for a number of films, standing in for the both the Sahara - in "Carry On - Follow That Camel" - and the Dunkirk evacuation beaches!

Access & Parking

Camber can be reached by road via the A259 Hastings - Romney road, turning off at Rye. There is a large (paying ) car park as you approach from the direction of Rye along Lydd Road, just after passing the golf club. From the car park two paths lead to the beach, the westernmost being the more direct.

By public transport, Rye can be reached by train, then taking the number 711 bus (approx. every 30 minutes Mon-Fri daytime) Get off at Camber Post Office and walk down lanes opposite Pontins to reach Old Lydd Road. From there walk onto the beach near the tea huts/amusements. Turning right (westwards) the section of the beach used by naturists is about 1km away.

Description
Camber beach is a long , backed by extensive sand dunes and mostly composed of fine, soft sand. Behind the beach is the Rye Golf Club. At low tide the sand is about half a mile wide narrowing to about 50 yards at high tide . However, perhaps due to the proximity of Pontin's holiday camp, the beach itself seems to be wholly textile - only the dunes at the western end (nearest Rye Harbour and the golf links) are said to be used for naturism. The further west you go towards Rye channel (Rother estuary) the more likely you are to find suitable spots - easier to find a suitably secluded spot during the week, when you may find naturists among the dunes.

CAUTION: Bathing at this location can be hazardous.
The presence of the Rother Estuary can create dangerous currents, bathers can, and have been, swept out to sea. Also, if you venture onto the estuary mudflats quicksands are also a hazard and you may be cut off by an incoming tide.

Facilities
The car park has a shop selling beach articles, drinks and ice creams.

Trip Report - June 2005

" Having visited this beach many times at the far remote end nearer the estuary - most relaxing stress-free enviroment. Naturists are returning here despite a sign saying 'this is NOT a naturist beach' - but if you are discreet there is no problem. Many naturists in the sand/grass dunes - It should be decreed a naturist site as the beach is very quiet and near the many bird protected areas, and totally free of noisy people. Recommended

It was nice to see some younger families here and a few teens well behaved all enjoying being naked. Be discreet swimming unless it is high tide then no one sees you quickly jumping in - beach and waters clean.. [but] keep away from estuary area, where the river runs up into Rye harbour. A beautiful place. [Please] take your rubbish home -and other people's - as not everyone does."

Trip Report - May 2005

"A fantastic strech of beach ... at low tide you can see the remains of a shipwreck .To the east the beach is usually packed, but [further] west you can go topless without bother, the west of the beach you may hear millitary gunfire."

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