Pett Level – Fossils, Cliffs & Quiet Shoreline

Heading west from Rye, Pett Level is a quieter stretch of beach with a completely different vibe to Camber. At low tide you can see the famous submerged forest, tree stumps dating back more than 6,000 years, preserved in the sand and visible along the shoreline.

The cliffs here are rich in fossils, particularly from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, making it a favourite spot for geology buffs and curious families alike. Keep your eyes open and you might spot fossilised plants, shells, or even fragments of dinosaur bone.

Unlike the busier sands of Camber, Pett Level feels wonderfully remote. The beach is backed by a shingle bank and marshes, with views across to Fairlight Cliffs. It’s dog-friendly year-round, which makes it a great place for a long coastal walk. Just check the tide times before exploring — much of the foreshore disappears at high tide.

📍 Pett Level Road, TN35 4EH.     🕗 Open access, year-round

Camber Sands – Dunes, Surf & Big Beach Days

Camber Sands is the star of Sussex beaches, famous for its golden dunes and sweeping sandy shoreline that runs for nearly five miles. It’s one of the few sandy beaches in East Sussex and has a truly coastal-holiday feel in summer, drawing families, day-trippers, and kite surfers alike.

The dunes themselves are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare plants and wildlife, and they make a dramatic backdrop for beach walks. At low tide the sands stretch out for what feels like miles, perfect for games, sandcastles, and kite flying.

Camber is easily accessible by car from Rye in under 10 minutes, with several large car parks near the beach entrances. Cafés, pubs, and beach shops line the main drag, so you can easily make a full day of it.

📍 Camber, TN31 7RT 🕗 Open access, year-round. RNLI lifeguards in summer s

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve – Wildlife, Walks & Big Sky Views

Just a short drive from One Church Square, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is one of the best places to stretch your legs and soak up some nature. Run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, it’s considered the jewel in the crown of their reserves.

It’s a true wildlife hotspot, with over 280 bird species recorded, including the striking Avocets, often seen nesting in the lagoons and mudflats. Flat, accessible trails wind through saltmarsh, shingle, and wetlands, leading out to the sea. It’s about a one-mile walk to the beach from the main car park, with huge skies and wide views all the way.

Start at the Discovery Centre, which has panoramic windows over the reserve, interactive exhibits, and a café serving cakes, coffee, and light lunches.

If you hire bikes locally in Rye Harbour, you can follow the trail along the seafront, through the reserve, and all the way to Pett Level – a brilliant coastal ride packed with birdlife, sea air, and wide-open views.

📍 Rye Harbour, TN31 7TX. 🌐 Visit Website

🕗 Opening hours: Reserve open daily year-round 

Discovery Centre: 10:00am–4:00pm daily