Let’s explore East Sussex!
Camber Sands
If you visit Camber Sands this fabulous stretch of unspoilt sandy beach is approx 35 minutes from the campsite. It features one of the purest and longest dune systems on the South Coast and the only one to be found in East Sussex.
Camber Sands is one of the region’s stand-out beaches as it’s one of the few to have a sandy beach, with many of its neighbours being stone and shingle beaches. If you want close, quirky and fun we have some other suggestions that are more for the locals.
Pett Level is a fantastic family beach, offering easy parking, access to the beach. It has some deconstructed cafes and the traditional ice cream van. We had some amazing days with friends and family when we Wardened the Secret site. We made a rock oven, went swimming, the little ones enjoyed the freedom as the sandy shelf goes on for about 1/2 a mile. The dogs ran until they dropped and only 15 minutes away from the campsite.
Also on the way is a very handy Tesco metro with fab little parking slots right outside, ideal for all the cold stuff.
Kite Surfing lesons
You can book fantastic kite surfing lessons locally!
Here’s what people said:
“So we booked into the kite surf centre for a beginners course on Kite ~Surfing.
Firstly you are at the mercy of the wind god, we had 2.5 hrs of learning how to handle the kites power zones. We were all knackered and dry mouthed from staring at the sky with our concentrating faces. We all loved it, our Son wants to go back and kite board, partner and myself would like to go to do the 3 day course in the summer. Our 8 year old was less than impressed and spent her time surfing the baby waves on her board.”
Paddle boarding the River Rother
Just a stone’s throw away is the beautiful River Rother where you can spend a relaxing time on a paddle board.
We have Paddle boards for hire from the campsite, don’t worry if your not confident standing sitting or kneeling is just as fun. 10 minutes from the camp you can park up and launch from the beach, Pett level or Hasting old town are ideal places.
If you would rather try your ore to the chilled flow of a river then 20 minute drive will give you the choice of 3 great rivers.
Bodium Boat house has Canoe, Kayak, SUP board and boats for hire.
Here’s what people said:
“We are a family with 2 paddle boards and originally we did want to return to your River campsite, but I’m so pleased we didn’t as the Rother is bigger wider has lots of places to enter the River stop and have cheeky chips and cream tea.
We arrived at Bodiam Boat house (you can hire boats, kayaks and SUP) paddled up for 1.5 hours, alighted at Bodiam castle tea rooms and then with full tummies drifted back down stream with the kids leaping off the boards and playing “killer sharks”.”
Paddle boarding around Fairlight cove from Pett Level Beach
If you prefer paddle boarding in the sea instead of a river, you can do that too by visiting Pett Level Beach
Here’s what people said:
“Brilliant! We took your advice and drove 15 minutes from camp to Pett Level beach, what a great beach, a bit like the Jurassic coast. Quiet, half shingle and sand, easy parking and access. We dropped the boards in and paddled around the point hugging the rocks so the Kids could boulder away, the dog is not coming next time she didn’t like the pack being split up.
The kids exhausted themselves within 2 hrs so back to the beach for chips and ice creams, drove past the Tesco metro for BBQ and beer, day… done.
“
The Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre
If you are visiting The Herstmonceux Observatory on a camping holiday, our Secret Campsite at Hop and Hare Farm is 32 minutes away by car.
The village of Herstmonceux is a picturesque East Sussex village. It’s name is derived from the Anglo-saxon word for a wooded hill and the noble family who once lived in the area. Now the village is home to between 2,000 and 3,000 people. Just a couple of miles from the village centre is Herstmonceux Castle. The moated castle and its grounds are home to part of a Canadian University, but also The Observatory Science Centre. It’s one of the closest tourist attractions to our campsite and a popular place for campers to visit. You can get hands-on with science and discover lots about space.
The castle also provides the venue for the annual England’s Medieval Festival. The event features performances and demonstrations, stalls, competitions and lots, lots more – usually over the August bank holiday. Visit the Medieval Festival website for more information.
Kids (and their parents) will love the hands-on science, telescopes and stargazing at the world-renowned observatory at Herstmonceux. Set in beautiful Sussex countryside, the science centre has a cafe and picnic area.
ADDRESS: The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RN
Hire an electric bike (E-Bike)
In Camber Sands we have a friendly bike hire shop where you can hire electric bikes as well as standard bikes.
Here’s what people said:
“Last year we wanted to experience more of the south coast from pop up secret to Rye and Camber so as a family we hired a mixture of electric and traditional bikes. We found E-bike hire in Camber were amazing, the staff are super friendly and helpful, we arrived at 10am and they had us kitted out in helmets and high vis jackets, the bikes adjusted to our needs so quickly we were on the road by 11am. They supplied us maps with easy to find cycle routes for the coast, so first destination was Rye that took 20 minutes. Quick little stop for supplies to keep the kids going. Then onto Pett Level. This took 35 minutes cycling through the most fantastic nature reserve (take binoculars). Pitt stop in Pett Level and then we found this little foot path that wound us through Fairlight and up onto the Hastings country Park 1.5 hrs.
By this time the kids were starting to tire, so we headed back, l can’t recommend this company and experience enough. Needless to say we have purchased E-bikes, and will be coming back to hire bikes for the kids next year so we can all go further.”
Smuggler’s Adventure
Smugglers Adventure is around 15 minutes drive from our Secret Campsite at Hop and Hare Farm.
Older children will enjoy exploring St Clement’s Caves with smuggler Hairy Jack at the Smugglers’ Adventure in Hastings. This tourist attraction takes you through acres of caverns and tunnels and teaches about the dark history of smuggling on the south coast.
ADDRESS: St Clement’s Caves, West Hill, TN34 3HY
Special discounted ticket prices are often available if you visit Smugglers Adventure and Hastings Castle or the Blue Reef Aquarium on the same day.
Need more information? Smugglers Adventure official website
Pirate Day – The World record for the most pirates in one place was set in 2012 when over 15,000 pirates of all ages (and levels of scariness) were recorded on Hastings beach. Pirate day is an annual event, taking place in Hastings at the end of July each year.