Camber Camber sands cambersands camber sussex

Welcome to the new look award winning

I built this site to let you know a bit about Camber and Camber Sands in East Sussex. I have tried to include as much info. as possible without getting too complicated. If you need info. not on here then please e.mail me directly using the link below and if I can help you I will. No pop ups, no fuss and free.

How do I get to Camber I hear you ask. Well worry no more coz I'm gonna tell you.
If you're doing the public transport thing, then get a train to Rye, Sussex station. Come out of the station and in front of you is some bus stops. You need to get the 711 bus heading to Lydd / Folkestone . That'll take you through Camber, it's only about 3 miles. Or just get a taxi from outside the station, it shouldn't cost too much if there's say 4 of you sharing.
If you're driving and coming from Hastings way, then head out on the coast road, the A259 to Rye and pretty much follow the signs from there. If you're heading in from London way then the M20 is my choice. Come off at junction 10 and follow the signs for the A2070 to Brenzett or Lydd. When you get to the Brenzett roundabout with the Total garage go straight on for a few miles until you come to the left turning for Camber. Real easy.
If you need more complex directions then what are you doing driving on public roads, get a bus pass or something.
SAT NAV POST CODE FOR USERS OUT THERE.TN31 7RL.
will get you to the centre of the village. many have asked for this. no need now. how cool is that.

In reality it's Camber, not Camber Sands. The sands are just the beach bit of Camber. Got it, good. I don't care either way but the old goats that have lived here forever seem bothered about it so I thought I'd just point it out.
Camber has 7 miles of Blue Flag award winning beach. It has the only sand dune system in East Sussex and is a valuable habitat for many different animals and plants. The village of Camber is very close to the beach and the dunes system that exists today helps to protect it from the sea.
The dunes form as sand is blown inland and builds up around plants,debris and fences. The grasses that you see covering a lot of the dunes have deep root systems that help to hold the sand in place and a combination of plants and fences helps to prevent the dunes from moving and burying the village.
So please, take care of the dunes. Try to keep to the pathways and take any rubbish away with you. There are lots of bins out there in the season, try to use them.
Don't have any open fires, it's incredibly dangerous and also camping is not allowed on the dunes.
Oh yeah, pick up your dog mess. It's not nice seeing kids treading in it. You will be fined if you don't.

Over the years there have been a few ships that have sunk off Camber. In the 1800's The City of Delhi, The S.S. Alton Towers, S.S.H.A.Brightman, Queen Victoria of Dublin and the Van Domien were some of the unfortunate ships. The Van Domien was a Dutch ship said to be carrying a cargo of grass destined for South America. It has been said that this could be how the dunes got their grass when the seeds were washed ashore. Who knows. Could've just been the wind carrying the seeds.. The H.M.T. Caulonia sank off Camber in 1944.
During the war, Camber had its share of ack ack batteries and searchlights as it was in the first line of defence and all the name signs were removed so if the Germans did get through they would not be sure where they were.

Camber has been used as a film location a number of times, standing in for the Sahara Desert in Carry on follow that camel and also as the Dunkirk evacuation beaches.
There have also been a lot of adverts and series filmed here too. I often see the camera crews out on the beach when I'm walking my dogs.

In Camber village there are 5 or 6 cafes, a couple of chip shops, a couple of general stores, a post office, a number of shops selling beach goods, some amusements, a couple of pubs. There's food out there as long as you are prepared to pay for it !! I've probably missed out a couple of shops above but I'm sure you get the idea. Nearest big Tesco is Ashford about 20 miles, medium sized Sainsbury's in Romney about 7 miles and Morrisons is in Hastings about 14 miles away. No vets locally at all that I'm going to put on here coz you'll get ripped off, I did. Hastings is your nearest .
Any other stuff, just e.mail me.

A bit about Camber Sands.

This huge ship washed up on the beach in a storm a while back, and as a resident of Camber, it was my duty to try to shift it. Alas I failed.Maybe it was the weight of it all but I'm here to tell you it just would not budge. Someone else reported that they tried to claim scrap rights to it having discovered it first with their metal detector. I've got news for you, your detector is working fine, but I'm worrying about how much it cost if this is the smallest item it has picked up. Hmmm, coins might be a problem then. I recently found a spark plug on the shoreline believed to be from the Mary Rose. I'll get it valued and put it on e.bay.

Some useful phone numbers.

Right, here's a few phone numbers you may or may not find useful.

Sussex police 0845 6070999 or just the last 3 digits in an emergency obviously.
Electricity emergency number 0800 085 5290
Gas emergency number 0800 111999
East Sussex county council 01273 481000 general enquiries etc.
Rother district council 01424 787878 general enquiries etc.
Conquest hospital, Hastings. 01424 755255
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, 01233 633331
Tourist information numbers as follows....
Rye 01797 226696, Hastings 01424 781111, Battle 01424 773721, Bexhill 01424 732208
Rye and district community transport, special needs etc, 01797 227722
Rail enquiries, fares timetables etc. 08457 484950

That's it for now. If you've got any useful ones you think should be here then let me know.

Some useful website addresses

www.1066country.com

www.rye-tourism.co.uk

www.visitrye.co.uk

www.ryeandbattletoday.co.uk

Some local accommodation

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Camber Leisure Park with various facilities. Static caravans,tourers, tents and chalets.
0870 442 9297

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Pontins holiday camp. Contact via their website which is somewhere in cyber space, don't know where but when they put a link to this site on their site then I will return the favour and do the same. Works both ways, what do you reckon.

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CAMPING.
If you don't mind being about 5 miles the other side of Camber in Lydd then I have just found a small site close to a lake and the Heron restaurant just past Lydd international racetrack where they do go kart racing and super-moto etc. It's only £5 per night. Call them on 01797 321895 for details. Or if you go through Lyyd towards New Romney there is a farm site on the left before the T junction. Not sure of their prices but phone them on 01797 361499 for details.
Camping at Camber Leisure
Latest update is that they officially have space for 48 tourers and 20 tents. It gets busy, especially in the season so probably best to book in advance. Ring them direct on
01797 222497. Beware, the ground gets wet just where all the tents and caravans go. Great.

Some other bits and pieces.

Well, if you're into windsurfing, kite surfing or canoeing then Rye Watersports can help. Contact them on 01797 225238 or visit their site at www.ryewatersports.co.uk.
Or for jetskiing or waterskiing there's Action watersports over at Lydd just a few miles from Camber. Contact them on 01797 321885 or www.actionwatersports.co.uk.

There's quite often various things going on in the community hall in Camber or up at the Camber Castle pub. Worth checking them out if you're here.

For anyone re-visiting this site, I have changed the format to one page to make things just a bit more straight forward and also in the hope that people will read through it all.
However, I realise it may not suit everyone, especially those without broadband such as myself, so apologies to those people.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, preferably polite ones, then e.mail me, you never know, I might even read them.
Meanwhile, here's some pictures to feast your eyes on.

Use the e.mail link above for feedback , general insults or if you need any info. on Camber Sands that is not here. I always reply in person. No forms, no pop ups, no junk mail. And it's all free. Makes a change eh ! And guess what, I still get endless boring e.mails from people trying to tell me what to say on MY website. Look, here it is in a nutshell. I am right, you are wrong. It's that simple. My opinion is always the correct one albeit in my eyes only so pretty much go away and annoy somebody equally boring as yourselves and obviously less intelligent than me !!! I will as always continue to help genuine enquiries wherever poss. and probably maintain my warped sense of humour whilst doing so.

In loving memory of Scooby. She loved the beach.
She was Buster's mum.

Click on any of these pictures for a full size image

There's only one Camber Sands and no substitute for life.

Hound lovers.
I get a lot of e.mails from people all over that are coming down here to walk their dogs etc. No problem as far as I'm concerned but there are rules and you will need to familiarise yourself with them. Basically, there are parts of the beach that dogs are not allowed on in the season, May through to Sept., and they should be on a lead on the other bits of the beach. However, there has been people complaining as a lot of lazy so called dog lovers don't pick up after their dogs . I have witnessed it happening and I'm sure the people who do it wouldn't want their own kids treading in it, so why leave it there. There's plenty of bins, so pick it up. There is talk of an outright ban on dogs on the beach in the season. I think it is going to happen. It's just a question of when , not if. Not my fault. Blame the morons. All out dog ban coming soon......watch this space.

A quick word of advice. If it's real windy and you're thinking of going over the dunes then the bare minimum you will need is glasses or goggles and a scarf. Yes, it's great fun but it's like sticking your head into a sand blasting cabinet when the wind picks up. And don't be deceived by the protection offered by the dunes on the land side of them. It might seem calm, but climb the dunes and you'll soon know why I've just warned you about this. Have fun.

Just a quick paragraph in answer to some recent queries......No, I can't send you the tide times for the rest of the year. No, I don't know of any cheap land so you can invade Camber and build some second rate junk on it. No, I'm not telling you what you can and can't do on the dunes. I'm just telling you what the local laws or rules are regarding the dunes. If you are stupid enough to break them or not abide by them then expect to be classed as just another plankton happy to ruin a very special place. Yes, I'm talking to you, here to help, as always.
ps. no, I'm not angry, it's just that I have a sense of humour.
Oh yeah, please try to remember that this site is not official. It is totally unofficial and proud of it.

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Empress Coaches of Hastings
For all your 16 to 24 seater transport needs. A range of vehicles with Full wheelchair access. Excellent service. Visit their website at www.empresscoaches.com for further details or phone
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Beach and Bathing in the sea
Just a bit of sensible advice here, but if you are going into the water then please please be extra careful and vigilant especially for the sake of younger kids.Some of the tides can be strong as can the wind, which if you're paddling about on a lilo or dingy can soon take you out to sea. Please be aware of any rules on the day, see what flag is flying etc. I personally think this is down to common sense but it seems that some people don't have this. In the wrong conditions the sea can be very dangerous but when it's nice out there it really is lovely. Lets keep it safe for all. One last warning.....don't rush straight into the water after sitting in the sun for ages, your body could go into shock from the sudden temperature change. It has happened, don't let it be you.
WHEELCHAIRS.
several people have asked about wheelchair access. There is flat access to the sands from central car park on Old Lydd Road which is the first right as you come into Camber from Rye. But hang on..... are you mad. Wheelchairs....sand......do they mix well ?I don't know but hey, my advice, don't attempt the dunes and don't go too far out in the water, it's a git on the wheel bearings......sorry, had to say it.
Hope this helps.

Here's the first Camber wind farm in almost all its glory. Actually running now but some are already knackered, and I am told pennies are being saved. There's 26 of them so look inland as you approach Camber and you can't really miss the things, unless you are a blind man on a bolting horse. I think these things look great, they don't ruin the view coz there wasn't one and if a couple of peahens get sliced in three then whatever. And before any of the lefty lesbo liberation hypocrite tree hugging anti everything nutters start e.mailing me.....they didn't cut down vast amounts of trees and hedges, no species have become extinct, it's one of the ways forward even if it is a bit limited and oh yeah, I do know what I'm talking about coz I live here. That's one of my hounds posing in the pic. He's going to bite you if you disagree with what I'm saying. I will bid you good day on that note.

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The Horsey Set
To avoid any confusion, this site does not contain any official advice.
If you want to know about if, when and where on the beach you can take your horse or even your mother in law then in the first instance phone the coastal officer on 01797 225207
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Above is a pic. of me and my hound, now sadly passed away, inspecting a pillbox on the dunes. Nothing unusual I hear you say. Only this one is made of polystyrene and was part of a set for the film Nine being filmed over the dunes staring someone I've never heard of from a band I never listen to but I'm told are famous......not in my book pal. Still very realistic I must say. Heavy as hell otherwise it'd be in my back garden by now. I took this pic a few hours before they destroyed it. What a waste. Some sad git would've bought it on e.bay. Please note the real good looking boy on either end of the lead. The coolest one is wearing the sunglasses obviously. Not too many insults please......

Buster, died on 11/11/08. Son of Scooby on the right.
He looked after us and kept us safe for 10 years and we'll never forget him. Best hound ever.

I recently received a nice e.mail with the photo above from Lee MacDonald also known as Zammo from BBC TV's Grange Hill. Having come here as a youngster with his parents he has remained a fan of Camber and now brings his own family as often as poss. In the picture, taken on New Years Day on the sands is Zammo, AKA Lee with his son Harry and his westie Molly. I'm gonna guess his other half, Lisa is taking the photo.
A wonderfull time was had by all and I'm sure they will return when it warms up a bit. Let's face it, it was a tad cold out there over the new year period.

Sat Nav postcode that will get you here by popular request is......wait for it......
TN31 7RL

For handmade tattoo machines, visit my other site, it's at

Huge thanks to everyone that takes the time to e.mail me just to say thanks for the info and double thanks to those who say my site is great ( like I didn't already know ). Honestly, I don't know how I get my hat on in the mornings !!

Wartime Camber. NEW. At the foot of this page.

Wartime Camber

Following a recent request from someone for info. on Camber during the war, I thought it'd be a good idea to include some info. on here as a sort of reminder/tribute, and whilst I appreciate that not everyone agrees with the principles of war you have to realise that the outbreak of the 2nd world war was 60 years ago and things were so different. I believe that every person that was involved was a hero, no matter how small the part they played and were it not for those people I might not have the freedom to write this now. I thank you all.

The following are extracts from The Jottings of Camber Village by Daisy Butchers.

At the beginning of September 1939 war was declared. Soldiers were already in Camber that summer, making preparations in readiness if war did come. When it did come, blockhouses were built in the sand dunes and some were even built in some of the larger houses on the sea side. Thousands of tall iron and wooden posts were sunk all over the sands to prevent aircraft landing at low tide. Dragons teeth were placed at strategic places as tank traps and many thousands of land mines were placed along the sea wall and on the edges of the golf course near the sea. As Camber was part of the first line of defence, ack ack batteries were soon to be seen. One battery complete with guns and searchlight was situated behind the cow sheds at Camber Farm house.
All the name signs were removed so that if any Germans did get through, they would be confused as to where they were.
Early in 1940 while one of the blockhouses was being built near Camber coastguard cottages, the first bombs to fall on Camber were dropped. Fortunately no one was hurt but we had frequent hit and run raiders after this.
On 22nd of July 1940, everyone in Camber with the exception of a few isolated farmers, had 48hrs notice to leave. Everyone had to be out by midnight on the 24th. Things were very difficult for people who had nowhere to go and no relatives to go to. It was also hard to get transport to take what belongings you could manage to pack. Daisy, the writer of this, could only take about half of her stuff and even then only managed to get away at midnight. The barriers were already erected on the main road by the coastguard cottages and armed sentries were manning the barriers.
The German heavy bombers were flying overhead and in the end the military had to help take some peoples belongings in the large military trucks. A lot of elderly people with nowhere to go were put into Battle Infirmary. Daisy was fortunate to get a house in Iden, a small village a few miles inland. The Camber fire engine and tender was also taken to Iden and the military completely took over Camber. Daisy's bungalow was taken over as an HQ and what furniture she left behind was supposed to have been locked and sealed in one room.
Daisy was called up at the beginning of September 1939 with the nursing reserve and posted to Rye and Winchelsea District Memorial Hospital. Her husband was a coastguard and their 11 year old son was a pupil at Rye Colegiate School. When war was declared, Daisy was issued with a pass as civilians who were not doing work for the war effort had to be indoors by 10pm. If they were out after that and had no pass to prove why they were out, they could be taken to court and fined..
The Battle of Britain was in full swing and dogfights overhead were a daily feature. At night, bombers on their way to London dropped their bombs now and again. It seemed they pretty much followed the same route to and from London and did not always drop all their bombs on London as they always managed to drop a few before crossing the channel on their way home.
Everywhere was blacked out and not a chink of light dare show, otherwise the ARP or police were soon after you. They knocked on Daisy's door one night saying she had a light showing. It turned out to be a full moon reflecting in a mirror which was over the fireplace in the living room which was never used so the black out curtains had not been put up.After the visit they went up for sure.
Daisy mostly did night duty at the hospital as it was more convenient for her. They were getting a lot of casualties coming in night and day, both our own and German airmen who had bailed out. The signs for the hospital were also removed with the road signs etc.
Daisy writes .... Early in sept. 1940, before I went off duty in the morning, one of the Germans who was the pilot of a Messersmitt 109 and had the iron cross first class and the ribbon of the iron cross second class, said to me as he was leaving Rye hospital to go to a POW camp, " I know what hospital I am in. " He told me that he had an aunt living in Hastings and another in Folkestone and for years he had been coming to Hastings and Rye for his holidays.I have a photograph of him taken at Charing Cross stn with a corporal and 2 privates who took him to his POW camp. A few nights later when I was on duty, the corporal gave me the photograph.
In 1942 a German Heinkel bomber lost its way and came down in a field at Jury's Gap. The pilot and crew calmly got out of the plane and asked where the nearest German Headquarters were. They thought they were somewhere in France and were most surprised to find that they were in England. We also aquired a complete Heinkel bomber.
In 1944 a flying bomb destroyed Camber Church and memorial hall and also badly damaged the Royal William and a number of soldiers and ATS were killed and wounded.
The first residents were allowed back to Camber in 1945 but due to the fact that so many houses had been destroyed or badly damaged, many had no homes to come back to.

Many thanks to Daisy F. Butchers for these writings. I hope you have enjoyed reading them.

I have decided in my infinite wisdom, not to list any local businesses on here now. The reason is quite simple. Too many people wanting to get on here and wanting weblinks for totally unrelated things just so my site can get them up the rankings in search engines.. I got to no. 1 spot by writing a bit of code and embedding it on here , it took time but I got there. It keeps things nice and simple and saves me seemingly insulting people when I tell them no.
Also, I don't recommend anywhere local, this is not neccessarily because there is anything wrong with them ( although there might well be, I don't know ), it's because I choose not to use local facilities and therefore am not in a position to say if they are any good or not. I am constantly asked why I don't list this or that in Camber. If I recommend something and you have a bad experience of it based on me telling you it is good then I have done you a diservice. So, as stands, my life remains simpler.

All that said, what I will tell you is this. Camber is predominantly a tourist resort, and a very small one at that, and as such, you can expect to pay tourist prices. If you are on a limited budget as plenty are these days, then bring some essentials with you, then you'll only need to shop locally for stuff you really need. Bear in mind the nearest supermarkets are a few miles away Romney, Hastings or Ashford. depending which you prefer.

A friend of mine who I used to work for has recently had a book published detailing the complete history of his company Empress Coaches of Hastings. You don't have to be a huge fan of buses to appreciate it for its historical content and it is much more than just listing their vehicles. There are personal memories from previous employees and friends etc. It is, in my opinion, good value and I am mentioned in there too so it must be good. It is listed on Amazon or is available direct from Empress. Tell 'em I sent ya.