I do prefer to be beside the seaside – and spending hours on the lengthy golden seashore is likely one of the most tempting issues to do in Camber Sands with children.
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However when you can drag your self away from the dunes – or when you’re going through a couple of wet days in Sussex – there’s loads to find close by as effectively, all inside round half an hour’s drive or much less.
From castles and the location of the Battle of Hastings to aquariums, countryside, historic cities and extra, I’ve picked out a few of my favorite issues to do in Camber Sands with children.
In the event you’re in search of locations to remain in Camber Sands, take a look at my overview of Salt Bay cottage
Hit the seashore
Camber Sands is house to among the finest sandy seashores in Sussex, with a whopping 5 miles to discover – even in peak season, yow will discover a nook to name your individual.
When the tide goes out, the seashore can really feel limitless (take a look at the tide instances if you wish to swim) with a path alongside the dunes on the again, and sand stretching all the best way to the River Rother and Rye Harbour on the opposite facet.
There are lifeguards in the summertime months, a restaurant on the seashore close to the primary automotive park, and canine are allowed year-round (though on a lead and in restricted zones from Could to September).
I by no means have any bother spending hours on Camber Sands seashore, however if you’d like a change of scene, head to Broomhill Sands to the east – quieter, with fewer amenities, there’s a kitesurfing centre and you may watch them out on the waves.
Or hold going to Pett Stage. This shingle and pebble seashore, between Rye and Hastings, has some sand at low tide however the fossilised forest that attracts extra guests than sandcastles.
Head to the south-western part at Cliff Finish, and you may see the stumps believed to this point again to earlier than the Ice Age. In the event you go to in Spring, the low tides may even reveal the wreck of seventeenth century warship HMS Anne.
For extra concepts of seashores in East Sussex to go to with children (in addition to choices in West Sussex) take a look at my favourites
Bodiam Citadel
Probably the most picturesque settings of any fort within the UK, Bodiam Citadel appears to drift within the centre of its moat, towers and turrets mirrored within the water.
Solely round half an hour from Camber Sands, you possibly can discover inside the partitions and among the towers, which have survived since its medieval beginnings.
House to a colony of bats, there are sometimes household actions happening too, together with actors giving talks to convey the ruins to life, in addition to trails via the grounds.
Take a look at my overview of a time out at Bodiam Citadel with children
Battle Abbey
Set on the location of the Battle of Hastings again in 1066, Battle Abbey is certainly one of England’s most important historic websites.
Wander the battlefield itself, the place figures of archers and knights are dotted round together with info boards concerning the fateful assembly of the Saxon and Norman armies.
There’s additionally a customer’s centre with interactive shows on the battle, and the occasions which led as much as it, together with a brief video and the possibility to vote to decide on who you suppose ought to have taken the crown.
You too can see the stays of the abbey, constructed by William the Conqueror after his victory, together with the Harold stone, marking the spot the place the final Saxon king of England is assumed to have fallen.
Time your go to for October and you may even see the battle re-enacted, in addition to wandering via the Norman and Saxon camps for a style of on a regular basis life, with different household actions throughout faculty holidays.
If a time out enjoying Normans and Saxons is in your wishlist, there’s extra info on this information to visiting Battle Abbey
Go to Rye
Half the enjoyment of visiting Rye is wandering round its historic streets, with cobbled alleys, twisty lanes and the well-known hill of Mermaid Road, house to the Mermaid Inn.
Rebuilt in 1420, its cellars date again to 1156, however is simply one of many picturesque buildings to identify as you stroll, with half-timbered homes in addition to the twelfth century church of St Mary, the place you possibly can climb the tower for an amazing view out over the city.
At one finish of the city stands the outdated Landgate, the one surviving gate Rye’s former fortifications, whereas on the different you possibly can go to Rye Citadel Museum, within the Ypres Tower (to not be confused with its sister museum in East Road).
In addition to extra pretty views from the highest, there are shows on the historical past of Rye itself, in addition to its former use as a jail, and a enjoyable interactive part on medieval knights and warfare, the place you possibly can deal with a sword and see how exhausting it was to attract the bowstring on a crossbow.
Fake to fireplace the cannons on the inexperienced subsequent door, browse among the quirky little retailers, spot the home with two entrance doorways (and decorative titties galore) earlier than stopping at a restaurant – Knoops has wonderful scorching chocolate, or ice cream in summer time – and you may simply whereas away a day.
In case your children want extra persuasion to discover than the possibility of recognizing fairly outdated homes, there’s additionally a Treasure Path for Rye.
For extra issues to do in Rye with children, take a look at my high picks
Rye Harbour
There’s a beautiful community of paths round Rye Harbour, between the city itself and the seashore at Camber Sands, separated by the River Rother.
In the event you’re fortunate you may even spot seals, nevertheless it’s a haven for birds, with virtually 300 species recorded, and an amazing place for a stroll – even when you’re visiting with a four-year-old.
Begin on the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre to study extra concerning the space earlier than heading out to discover.
You’ll be able to spot the stays of Camber Citadel, and there are recommendations on the wildlife highlights to be discovered every month as effectively within the sequence of various habitats.
There’s a restaurant on the Discovery Centre, or cease in at William the Conqueror pub.
For extra of the greatest castles in Sussex, take a look at my high picks
Go to Hastings
There’s an amazing mixture of basic seaside and old style fishing historical past in Hastings, in addition to quite a lot of sights for a wet day in East Sussex.
Take a wander alongside the entrance initially, with vintage anchors dotted alongside between the boats, loads of locations to get fish and chips in addition to the standard arcades.
Or head as much as uncover the ruins of Hastings Citadel, the primary to be constructed by William the Conqueror after he landed – you possibly can take one of many city’s two funiculars, the West Hill Cliff railway up.
The city can also be house to the World Loopy Golf Championships, with three 18-hole mini golf programs to attempt.
There’s an aquarium on the seafront (learn on for extra particulars), in addition to the East Hill Cliff Railway, the steepest funicular railway within the UK, operating from Rock-a-Nore Highway to Hastings Nation Park.
For extra nice issues to do in Sussex with children, take a look at my high picks
Hastings Museum and Artwork Gallery
The shows on the Hastings Museum and Artwork Gallery inform the story of the city, however there are a couple of surprises you won’t anticipate out of your common native historical past museum.
Essentially the most dramatic is the Durbar Corridor, made for the 1886 Indian and Colonial exhibition in London and designed to point out guests what a typical Indian palace was like.
Saved afterwards by a rich native household as an extension to their very own home, it was later donated to the museum to include their world artwork assortment, however the intricate carvings and delightful decor is effectively price seeing for itself.
Don’t miss the ‘Story of Hastings in 66 Objects’ as effectively, which covers the historical past of the city from 1066 to right this moment, centered on native characters, together with an eleventh century moneyer and medieval scrivener, in addition to extra well-known names together with John Logie Baird.
In the event you’re visiting with children who love artwork, take a look at Hastings Up to date artwork gallery as effectively, and take a look at this publish from Museum Mum who visited together with her children
Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings
Set proper on the beachfront, the Hastings aquarium won’t be the most important in Sussex nevertheless it’s very straightforward to whereas away a couple of hours wandering round with children – and excellent if you end up by the seaside in Sussex on a wet day.
Look out for the porcupine pufferfish and the stonefish, two of the extra uncommon inhabitants together with rays, sharks, vibrant reef fish, seahorses and the relatively fabulous large pacific octopus.
There are two pages of animals to tick off in a youngsters’s information as you go round, together with some nice info for mini marine biologists.
Learn extra about our time out at Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings right here
Hastings Nation Park
In the event you fancy a change from the seaside, Hastings Nation Park makes an amazing day outdoor with children in Sussex – though with wonderful views of the south east coast, you may even have the ability to see so far as the coast of France on a transparent day.
For starters, you may get there from the city utilizing the funicular from Rock-A-Nore street, which positively beats your common journey.
Then there are walks galore to discover the 345 acres, containing coastal woodlands, grasslands and pasture – take a look at the leaflet displaying among the walks to obtain.
Smugglers Journey
Uncover smuggling historical past at this uncommon household attraction in Hastings, heading into underground caverns and tunnels within the footsteps of rogues galore.
Within the caves, you’ll meet over 70 characters, from pirates to bootleggers, who used these secret passages to stash their booty.
There are interactive shows and video games as effectively at Smugglers Journey, whereas the bravest can head into the Chapel, colder than the remainder of the caves and mentioned to be essentially the most haunted part.
Kent and East Sussex railway
Camber Sands is correct on the border of Kent, so it’s straightforward discover extra day journey concepts among the many issues to do in Kent with children.
And the Kent and East Sussex railway runs from Tenterden, round half an hour from Camber Sands, via the countryside of the Rother Valley in the direction of Northiam and Bodiam Citadel.
There are each steam trains and diesel engines on the heritage railway route, together with additional actions for teenagers throughout faculty holidays, and particular occasions for Halloween and Christmas.
You’ll be able to board at any of the three stops alongside the route (pedestrian entry solely from Bodiam), which takes round 45-50 minutes every manner, with extra restricted companies through the winter months.
It’s additionally price realizing that your path to Tenterden will take you previous the Chapel Down winery – not high of your children’ checklist of issues to do maybe, however who wouldn’t be tempted by a bit detour!
For extra issues to do in Sussex with children, take a look at my high picks
*First revealed 2021, final up to date 2024*
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Hasting picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels