Camber sands

Camber Sands is a big, open beach rather than a tidy little seaside stop, and that’s the appeal. Families come for the sheer amount of space, the shallow water at low tide, and the classic mix of sand, seagulls, horses and the occasional quad bike for background noise. The practical bits are decent: public toilets, foot showers, bins and nearby car parks are all mentioned, and there are shops, ice creams and fish and chips close enough to keep most families going. Reviews also suggest it works well for younger children because the water is shallow and there’s room to spread out without feeling crammed in. The downsides are the usual beach-day irritations: it gets very busy, parking is expensive, and food options can mean queues or a bring-your-own lunch situation. It’s also a bit of a faff at weekends, with traffic and parking pressure, so this is very much a arrive-early-or-regret-it sort of place.