Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Camber Sands - near Rye

East Sussex

nuff-beach

nuff-camber-sands

Sand dunes at the far end of a small resort's long sandy beach.

View from the Dunes

via Geograph

Camber Sands are situated between Rye in East Sussex and Lydd in Kent, just to the east of Rye Harbour and the Rother Estuary. The large dune system is a site of scientific interest and nature conservation. The beach is several miles long, with about 2 miles of sand at Camber itself. During the summer, the eastern end attracts thousands of (textile) visitors and families, many from the the nearby Pontins holiday centre. Despite this, naturists have long used the "remoter parts" - particularly mid-week.

In past years there have been some complaints about naturist use of this beach. (see below for more information). Naturists should always behave with consideration and respect for other beach users.

Camber Sands is notable for having 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!

Getting There

Google Maps

Camber can be reached by road via the A259 Hastings to Romney road, turning off at Rye. There is a large expensive 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. There is a free car-park at Broomhill Sands, on the coast road about 1 mile beyond Camber (the wrong side for the naturist beach).

By public transport, Rye can be reached by train. Either (i) follow the River Rother down to the sea, or (ii) take 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.

"The Western end is very quiet. with secluded spots & pathways in the bushes & dunes, between the beach & the Golf Club. (But not visible from the Golf Course OR the Beach. ) It comes to an end at the outlet of the River Rother."

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 Camber Sands car park has a shop selling beach articles, drinks and ice creams.

This page compiled with help from 'Camber Jon'

Map

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Comments

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• Naturist Beaches

  23-Aug-20

  [Aug-24] If you're walking from Rye Station down the river to the coast, there is a (signed) inland diversion along a walk cycle path, then across a golf course back to the river, around long term flood prevention work.

• Duncan Marshall

  14-Aug-20

  I went yesterday (a weekday - ed) and, to paraphrase, was the only naturist on the beach!!!

  Got there around Midday and stayed until about 17:00pm and had a lovely time. I had to walk about half a mile, from our location in front of the dune system, all the way to the sea and inline with the River Marker. The sea was so incredibly warm and made the day even better. Used the half mile walk back to air dry in the breeze but it do NOT spoil our visit at all. Where we were, there was no one else near us, unless that happened when I took off my clothes!

• Fluke

  10-May-20

  Visited several times last summer and there were very few naturists. On an average weekend maybe just two or three at the far back of the dunes in spots completely surrounded by vegetation. More rarely you'd see people out in the open, mostly couples. Except for early in the season the whole western side of the beach often had very few sunbathers while the eastern side looked packed. With the loss of Abbot's Cliff it would be nice to see some more naturists here this summer as it's a lovely beach.

  If you're coming by train to Rye, it's a nice walk beside the river which for me takes around an hour. Come out of the station and turn left at the top, turn right through the tower arch, go down the steps at the left, cross over the road and through the green space then you'll find the footpath entrance just over the bridge across the river. At the end of the path you'll be at the far western side of the beach.

• Jinxy Martin

  Nov-20

  We used to go to Camber Sands often but haven't been back for about 10 years, so it is on our itinerary for 2019.

• Rob Montier

  Nov-20

  Parking for 3 hours - £10. Yes, ten pounds!

• Rob Montier

  Oct-20

  Parking for 3 hours - £10. Yes, ten pounds!

• Rob Montier

  May-20

  Parking is now £5 for 1 to 3 hours! (Cough...)

• Graham Lowe

  Aug-20

  it happening some part of the world so l cannot see why not here there is no harm to it, only live once

• Sarah van den Broek

  Aug-20

  well well - stumbled across this whilst looking for the weather - in the 8 years Ive been here Ive never seen a naked person.

• Camber Jon

  Jun-20

  There's been no signs for 4 years. You are fine as long as you are sensible [redacted]

• Steve G

  May-20

  Police have been reported to ask naturists to cover up on this beach-signs saying no nude bathing permitted come and go. I used to use the beach but have stopped now.

• nick

  May-20

  Made several visits last year, and today at last my first this year. Beach seemed clean as tide came in enjoyed bit of sun with a friend and seemed to be no other naturist visitors. Parking is available on the field but a bit pricy £8 for 4 hours £10 for longer! Fortunately so quiet today found a spot opposite!

• Anonymous

  Sep-20

  I was down on Tuesday afternoon and went about two-thirds along from the main beach westwards towards the river. The only couples I saw kept their clothes on and there were no single women. [redacted] The tide was up and there were a lot of dog walkers, too many for comfort so I didn't strip off. I guess low tide would be better.

• Anonymous

  Sep-20

  ...a Lovely Hot Sunny Day yesterday 5 Super hours of Sun & Skinnydipping. Not another soul anywhere...

• Anonymous

  Aug-20

  I don't hide in the dunes I always find a cutout on the beach just where the beach meets the large flat grassy bit, I'll often have a walk around the grassy bit as well...

• Anonymous

  Aug-20

  When we've been down, we've found a spot in the dunes and had a great time on our own [redacted]. We'd love to be on the beach itself, like we do in France, but haven't yet dared.. [but] I'm encouraged by some of the recent messages.

• Anonymous

  Aug-20

  ...found a secluded place in the dunes to the west, After a while two families arrived with their children and I offered to move. They said that they were fine with me and it was not a problem.

• Anonymous

  Jul-20

  Great place to go. Came down with my other half on Sunday, found a sheltered spot and had a good day. She was a bit nervous to start but everything soon came off and she enjoyed it. Nice talking to new people as well. Recommend it!

• Anonymous

  Jul-20

  ... spent a lovely day in the dunes on sunday... beautiful sunny day with a lovely breeze, it was perfect. started off topless in a g-string with no one taking a blind bit of notice. became very relaxed and went naked for most of the afternoon. didn't notice any other nudists but the people that were dressed didn't blink.

• Anonymous

  May-20

  ... I often go down from Rye on my own, [redacted]

• Anonymous

  Mar-20

  Just had a lovely week on the beach at Camber!! Absolutely Lovely week of super warm sunny weather!! What a surprise!

• Anonymous

  Nov-20

  [being nude on the beach is] not really a problem. There are lots of "V" shaped gaps. People only usually come close when the tide's right in & they haven't any choice but it's only a short time as it goes out so far. You can see anyone coming from half a mile away. The Locals ignore you & any "Clothies" keep their distance. I swim in the nude whether the tide is in or out. It's such a huge area. The ONLY time I've known a problem is when someone deliberately went down amongst the holiday makers & the Beach Warden called the police.

• Anonymous

  Nov-20

  I live across the road at Camber & go to the beach every day that's good enough for sunbathing. ... to find the private nudist part... take the sandy path at the western end of the car park. After 50yds. there is a display board about the wildlife & plants you can see. Turn right and follow the "Rabbit Fence" for about 400yds. It goes over a rise then runs parallel with the bank. Go up the bank on your left. At top turn right & Voila!! Paradise!!

• Anonymous

  Sep-20

  From Rye take the A259 east, about one mile turn right onto Camber Road, keep going until you see the sign welcome to camber, about 100 yards past the sign turn into the large car park on your right, park at the far right end take the path to the beach & turn right keep walking until you pass the the white flag pole naturists mainly use the flat grassy part nearer the dunes to the rear of the beach.

• Anonymous

  Jul-20

  ..another trip to Camber Sands... another nude day this time with more nude sunbathers, again no problem with the dog & beach walkers or with the couples that sat near to me...

• Anonymous

  Jun-20

  ..a lovely hot day... the SIGN saying this is not a naturist beach HAS BEEN REMOVED. I spent all day there nude with no problem with the beach walkers passing by... apart from that I had the beach to myself ...

• Anonymous

  May-20

  .. a wonderful place, very quiet ... Given the great weather, parking didn't seem to be a problem. The pebbles are a little hard work, so a mat and beach shoes would be advisable.

• Anonymous

  Jun-20

  Having visited this beach many times at the far remote end nearer the estuary - most relaxing stress-free environment. 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.. [but] keep away from estuary area, where the river runs up into Rye harbour. A beautiful place.

• Anonymous

  May-20

  A fantastic stretch 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 military gunfire.

Photos

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View from the Dunes

via Geograph