MUGFOUNDRY

We book a beach holiday to unwind, but some of Europe’s most beautiful shores attract huge crowds that are more rat race than R&R.

However, if you’re looking to avoid sunbed wars this summer, you don’t have to go far.

In fact, you don’t need to fly, because five miles of sand in East Sussex has been named one of Europe’s least crowded beaches.

Camber Sands, which is a two-hour train journey from London, is widely described as one of the best beaches in the UK.

In a Wizz Air analysis of 50 European countries, it beat the likes of Nissi Beach in Cyprus, and Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza.

Some have even described it as more relaxing than the Algarve.

The airline estimated how much space each beach offers per person by dividing its area by the size of a beach towel, and then dividing that by the average number of daily visitors.

Camber Sands, according to those calculations, has space for 61.1 beach towels per person, offering visitors plenty of room to stretch out, take sandy strolls and play watersports.

The East Sussex holiday spot was only beaten to the top by Durrës beach in Albania, which came first on the list with a score of 64.5.

Meanwhile, Praia de Falesia in the Algarve, Portugal, was halfway down in seventh with space for 33.8 towels per person.

And Camber Sands isn’t the only English beach to make the list.

Brighton, also in East Sussex, ranked sixth and has several direct trains from the capital that will take you straight to the shore in under an hour.

What people are saying about Camber Sands

According to the UK Beach Guide, Camber Sands is unusual for a Sussex beach.

While most beaches along this part of the coast are lined with pebbles, Camber Sands is covered in fine golden sand and is home to the only dunes in the county.

The website notes: ‘Despite its fantastic natural assets, Camber Sands remains largely unspoiled. For the larger part of the year, there is a good chance of finding some solitude here.

‘Even in the height of summer, the crowds are bearable even though it is within two hours of London.’

One Tripadvisor review, left by ‘Ruth M’ described it as possibly the best beach in the UK, with ‘miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches’.

Reviewer Stuart added: ‘I’ve been to a lot of beaches. This one takes some beating. A huge expanse of sand offers great views. A few coffee shops dotted around, but largely unspoiled.’

Meanwhile, ‘Bookthiefj’ wrote: ‘Lovely sandy beach, turquoise waters, and it was not too crowded on the day I visited. I loved this beach. I want to spend a day sleeping in the sun on the beach on my next visit.’

How to get to Camber Sands

The nearest train station to Camber Sands is Rye, and the journey from London to Rye usually takes just over two hours. Single fares start from £50.

To get there, you can catch a train from London St Pancras to Ashford International and change at Ashford for Rye.

From there, the 102 Wave bus goes to the beachfront, which usually takes around 20 minutes. Or, if you’d prefer to walk, it’s just over an hour.

Things to know before visiting Camber Sands

The Rother District Council has a list of guidelines for anyone visiting Camber Sands.

It advises visitors to follow the RNLI beach safety advice and check the beach safety sign for local hazards.

These are the safety notices you should be aware of before you go:

• Beware of fast incoming tides – check the tide times
• Beware of sandbars – don’t get cut off by the tide
• Always wear clothing designed for swimming – when wet, normal clothes can cause you to sink!
• Beware of soft sand and mud exposed at low tide
• Do not dig deep holes or tunnels in the sand
• Our coastal waters are home to an array of marine species. The following link shares some useful advice on how to avoid getting stung and what actions to take if you do. Stings, spines and sharp teeth: Your guide to summer sealife.
• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix.
• Stay away from groynes and outfall pipes.
• Keep clear of the Harbour entrance. There are very strong currents and boats in the area.
• Safety signs are located along the foreshore. Make sure you read the information and familiarise yourself with the environment.’

This article was originally published on 30 September 2024 and has been updated.

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