The best things to do in Camber Sands with kids

I do like to be beside the seaside – and spending hours on the long golden beach is one of the most tempting things to do in Camber Sands with kids.

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But if you can drag yourself away from the dunes – or if you’re facing a few rainy days in Sussex – there’s plenty to discover nearby as well, all within around half an hour’s drive or less.

From castles and the site of the Battle of Hastings to aquariums, countryside, historic towns and more, I’ve picked out some of my favourite things to do in Camber Sands with kids.

If you’re looking for places to stay in Camber Sands, check out my review of Salt Bay cottage

Hit the beach

Camber Sands is home to one of the best sandy beaches in Sussex, with a whopping five miles to explore – even in peak season, you can find a corner to call your own.

When the tide goes out, the beach can feel endless (check out the tide times if you want to swim) with a path along the dunes at the back, and sand stretching all the way to the River Rother and Rye Harbour on the other side.

There are lifeguards in the summer months, a cafe on the beach near the main car park, and dogs are allowed year-round (although on a lead and in restricted zones from May to September).

I never have any trouble spending hours on Camber Sands beach, but if you want a change of scene, head to Broomhill Sands to the east – quieter, with fewer facilities, there’s a kitesurfing centre and you can watch them out on the waves.

Or keep going to Pett Level. This shingle and pebble beach, between Rye and Hastings, has some sand at low tide but the fossilised forest that draws more visitors than sandcastles.

Head to the south-western section at Cliff End, and you can see the stumps believed to date back to before the Ice Age. If you visit in Spring, the low tides will also reveal the wreck of 17th century warship HMS Anne.

For more ideas of beaches in East Sussex to visit with kids (as well as options in West Sussex) check out my favourites

Bodiam Castle

One of the most picturesque settings of any castle in the UK, Bodiam Castle seems to float in the centre of its moat, towers and turrets reflected in the water.

Only around half an hour from Camber Sands, you can explore within the walls and some of the towers, which have survived since its medieval beginnings.

Home to a colony of bats, there are often family activities taking place too, including actors giving talks to bring the ruins to life, as well as trails through the grounds.

Check out my review of a day out at Bodiam Castle with kids

Battle Abbey

Set on the site of the Battle of Hastings back in 1066, Battle Abbey is one of England’s most significant historical sites.

Wander the battlefield itself, where figures of archers and knights are dotted around along with information boards about the fateful meeting of the Saxon and Norman armies.

There’s also a visitor’s centre with interactive displays on the battle, and the events which led up to it, including a short video and the chance to vote to choose who you think should have taken the crown.

You can also see the remains of the abbey, built by William the Conqueror after his victory, along with the Harold stone, marking the spot where the last Saxon king of England is thought to have fallen.

Time your visit for October and you can even see the battle re-enacted, as well as wandering through the Norman and Saxon camps for a taste of everyday life, with other family activities during school holidays.

If a day out playing Normans and Saxons is on your wishlist, there’s more information in this guide to visiting Battle Abbey

Visit Rye

Half the joy of visiting Rye is wandering around its historic streets, with cobbled alleys, twisty lanes and the famous hill of Mermaid Street, home to the Mermaid Inn.

Rebuilt in 1420, its cellars date back to 1156, but is just one of the picturesque buildings to spot as you walk, with half-timbered houses as well as the 12th century church of St Mary, where you can climb the tower for a great view out over the town.

At one end of the town stands the old Landgate, the only surviving gate Rye’s former fortifications, while at the other you can visit Rye Castle Museum, in the Ypres Tower (not to be confused with its sister museum in East Street).

As well as more lovely views from the top, there are displays on the history of Rye itself, as well as its former use as a prison, and a fun interactive section on medieval knights and warfare, where you can handle a sword and see how hard it was to draw the bowstring on a crossbow.

Pretend to fire the cannons on the green next door, browse some of the quirky little shops, spot the house with two front doors (and ornamental knockers galore) before stopping at a cafe – Knoops has amazing hot chocolate, or ice cream in summer – and you can easily while away an afternoon.

If your kids need more persuasion to explore than the chance of spotting pretty old houses, there’s also a Treasure Trail for Rye.

For more things to do in Rye with kids, check out my top picks

Rye Harbour

There’s a lovely network of paths around Rye Harbour, between the town itself and the beach at Camber Sands, separated by the River Rother.

If you’re lucky you might even spot seals, but it’s a haven for birds, with almost 300 species recorded, and a great place for a stroll – even if you’re visiting with a four-year-old.

Start at the new Rye Harbour Discovery Centre to learn more about the area before heading out to explore.

You can spot the remains of Camber Castle, and there are tips on the wildlife highlights to be found each month as well in the series of different habitats.

There’s a cafe at the Discovery Centre, or stop in at William the Conqueror pub.

For more of the best castles in Sussex, check out my top picks

Visit Hastings

There’s a great mix of classic seaside and old-fashioned fishing history in Hastings, as well as more than a few attractions for a rainy day in East Sussex.

Take a wander along the front first of all, with antique anchors dotted along between the boats, plenty of places to get fish and chips as well as the usual arcades.

Or head up to discover the ruins of Hastings Castle, the first to be built by William the Conqueror after he landed – you can take one of the town’s two funiculars, the West Hill Cliff railway up.

The town is also home to the World Crazy Golf Championships, with three 18-hole mini golf courses to try.

There’s an aquarium on the seafront (read on for more details), as well as the East Hill Cliff Railway, the steepest funicular railway in the UK, running from Rock-a-Nore Road to Hastings Country Park.

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

The displays at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery tell the story of the town, but there are a few surprises you might not expect from your average local history museum.

The most dramatic is the Durbar Hall, made for the 1886 Indian and Colonial exhibition in London and designed to show visitors what a typical Indian palace was like.

Kept afterwards by a wealthy local family as an extension to their own house, it was later donated to the museum to contain their world art collection, but the intricate carvings and beautiful decor is well worth seeing for itself.

Don’t miss the ‘Story of Hastings in 66 Objects’ as well, which covers the history of the town from 1066 to today, focused on local characters, including an 11th century moneyer and medieval scrivener, as well as more famous names including John Logie Baird.

If you’re visiting with kids who love art, check out Hastings Contemporary art gallery as well, and check out this post from Museum Mum who visited with her kids

Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings

Set right on the beachfront, the Hastings aquarium might not be the biggest in Sussex but it’s very easy to while away a few hours wandering around with kids – and ideal if you find yourself by the seaside in Sussex on a rainy day.

Look out for the porcupine pufferfish and the stonefish, two of the more unusual inhabitants along with rays, sharks, colourful reef fish, seahorses and the rather fabulous giant pacific octopus.

There are two pages of animals to tick off in a children’s guide as you go around, along with some great facts for mini marine biologists.

Read more about our day out at Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings here

Hastings Country Park

If you fancy a change from the seaside, Hastings Country Park makes a great day outdoors with kids in Sussex – although with amazing views of the south east coast, you might even be able to see as far as the coast of France on a clear day.

For starters, you can get there from the town using the funicular from Rock-A-Nore road, which definitely beats your average journey.

Then there are walks galore to explore the 345 acres, containing coastal woodlands, grasslands and pasture – check out the leaflet showing some of the walks to download.

Smugglers Adventure

Discover smuggling history at this unusual family attraction in Hastings, heading into underground caverns and tunnels in the footsteps of rogues galore.

In the caves, you’ll meet over 70 characters, from pirates to bootleggers, who used these secret passages to stash their booty.

There are interactive displays and games as well at Smugglers Adventure, while the bravest can head into the Chapel, colder than the rest of the caves and said to be the most haunted section.

Kent and East Sussex railway

Camber Sands is right on the border of Kent, so it’s easy find more day trip ideas among the things to do in Kent with kids.

And the Kent and East Sussex railway runs from Tenterden, around half an hour from Camber Sands, through the countryside of the Rother Valley towards Northiam and Bodiam Castle.

There are both steam trains and diesel engines on the heritage railway route, along with extra activities for kids during school holidays, and special events for Halloween and Christmas.

You can board at any of the three stops along the route (pedestrian access only from Bodiam), which takes around 45-50 minutes each way, with more limited services during the winter months.

It’s also worth knowing that your route to Tenterden will take you past the Chapel Down vineyard – not top of your kids’ list of things to do perhaps, but who wouldn’t be tempted by a little detour!

For more things to do in Sussex with kids, check out my top picks

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CAMBER SANDS WITH KIDS

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Hasting image courtesy of Depositphotos, all other images copyright MummyTravels

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