10 Activities for Children at Camber Sands

If you are on holiday in East Sussex with the children, a day out to Camber Sands is a must. It is the only beach along the Sussex coast that has miles of golden sand instead of pebbles. Whatever the weather, the beach and surrounding areas are packed full of fun activities to fill your trip.

Sand surfing

With miles of golden sand, Camber Sands is the perfect place to go sand surfing. Grab yourself a sledge or bodyboard and choose one of the many dunes surrounding the shore. Your children will love racing down the dunes towards the sea.

Beachcombing

Let your children’s thirst for adventure run wild as you search the beach for hidden treasures. Camber Sands was once listed in the top ten beaches for beachcombing, especially when the tide is out. Your children will be able to find many different types of pebbles, shells, and sea glass to take home as a memento. 

Building Sandcastles

With miles of golden sand, Camber Sands is the perfect place to bring a bucket and spade and build sandcastles. If you forget to pack your buckets and spades, there are several small shops along the beachfront that sell them as well as delicious ice creams.  

Fish and chips by the sea

A traditional British day at the seaside has to end with fish and chips. Like every quintessentially British seaside town, Camber Sands has several, highly rated fish and chip bars. There is lots of free parking along the beach so if the weather isn’t good you can park up and enjoy your tea with a view of the sea.

Watersports

A short walk from Camber Sands is a family-run activity centre, where you and your children can try your hand at many different watersports from paddleboarding to windsurfing. The lakes are close enough to the sea that you will have the advantage of sea winds, making it feel close to the real thing if you’re a beginner. For a gentler option, there are canoes for hire. 

Exploring Rye

Just three miles along the main road from Camber Sands, you will find the quaint town of Rye. Take a walk down the cobbled street that is Mermaid Street. This street is so beautiful it has been named one of the most 'instagrammable' streets in the country. It is lined with historic buildings dating back as early as the 15th century. Enjoy a family meal in one of the restaurants or pubs, or visit the Ypres Tower, which has been at times a fort, prison and court house, and learn about smugglers.

Crabbing, Rye Harbour

Children often love to go crabbing when on a seaside holiday, Rye Harbour is a perfect place for it. Along with free parking near the harbour, you can also buy crabbing equipment from the local shops. Keep an eye out for cheeky seagulls who aren’t afraid to swoop down to steal your bait. The harbour is also a popular location for birdwatching 

Smugglers Adventure, Hastings

If you’re looking to explore other seaside towns in the Camber Sands area, it is recommended that you take a trip to Hastings. Famed for the Battle of 1066, Hastings is full of history. This history is being retold through a number of attractions designed to be fun for all of the family. One of which is the Smugglers Adventure. Made up of acres of caverns and secret passageways, this attraction tells the story of journey smugglers made some 200 years ago with their forbidden cargo, in the darkness of hidden passageways under the town. Please note, this attraction is closed during the winter and due to uneven ground, is not suitable for pushchairs. 

Bodiam Castle

A 30 minute drive inland from Camber Sands, Bodiam Castle is a picturesque fairytale castle where your children can live out their fantasies as knights and princesses. It has a moat, a drawbridge, a gatehouse, and a chapel. Owned by the National Trust, there is only a small fee to enter the site, the money for which goes towards its upkeep. Bodiam castle offers family friendly activities all year round so the castle can be enjoyed by all in any weather. 

Port Lympne Safari Park

For the animal lovers amongst you, you cannot holiday in the Camber Sands area and not experience Port Lympne. Just a short drive along the coast, Port Lympne houses hundreds of rare and endangered animals. You can explore the 600 acres of the park via a walking route or take one of the safari buses. For a fully immersive experience, you can book overnight stays in rooms built onto the edge of animal enclosures, waking up next to the likes of lions and tigers.

Photo by Chris Mitchell on Unsplash