The beautiful beach with 3 miles of sand dunes is UK's 'least crowded'

Camber Sands is one of the best-loved holiday destinations for summer on the south coast of England, with some even calling it "possibly the best beach in the UK". Despite this, the beach found itself voted third on Europe's least crowded beaches for summer 2025. Camber Sands used to have 80,000 people visit its beach on a summer's day, but now offers more of a peaceful getaway.

For local residents such as Karen Wright, they remember a time the area saw many spending their summer vacations there, but now "a lot of people are now going abroad," she explained to the .

In the past 50 years there has been a period of decline for the once legendary destination. Last year, the legendary holiday camp shut its doors for the final time, cutting off a vital revenue stream for many local businesses. Regardless, Camber still has much to offer for all ages, from adventurous watersports and sandcastle building, to history and wildlife.

Camber Sands is a sandy beach located east of Rye in East Sussex, England. It's known for its long stretches of golden sands, expansive sand dunes, and unspoilt views that stretch for miles. The area is home to a unique sand dune system, the only one of its kind in East Sussex, which provides a valuable natural habitat for various plants and animals.

It's a popular location for various water sports, particularly kitesurfing and windsurfing, due to its strong winds and vast expanse of sand. It also offers opportunities for stand-up paddleboarding, dinghy sailing, and other activities. Rye Watersports, located near Camber Sands, provides lessons and equipment hire for these activities, and has nothing but excellent google reviews : "Brilliant location for learning. It's very safe and the staff are all lovely".

Like many beaches around the country, there are dog restrictions in place between May to September. While much of the beach will allow for dogs on a lead, there are some restricted areas. When planning a trip with your four-legged friend, keep an eye on the signs in public areas to find out whether your dog is welcome to take a swim. During the quieter winter months, dogs are allowed to roam the full stretch of the beach.

It's also important to be aware of tide times, so you can plan your day accordingly. Checkout for daily tide times to make sure you get the best use of the beach at both high and low tide.

Besides the beach, there are many other activities you can do in and around the Camber area. Those with historical inclinations will have lots to see close to Camber, one of which being the Camber Castle. Because of tidal changes, the fort is now closer to the village of Winchelsea further along the west. Though it's a bit of a walk to get there, Simon Hayday wrote that it's, " Worth the long walk if you enjoy a ruin." You get to cross vast fields, taking in the nature around.

The historic castle was built by , and once defended Rye Harbour. During the summer months, guides and tours are available.