South Coast of England: Things to Do on a Day Stay at Camber Sands or Rye Bay, Part 1 – North
Part One: North of Camber and Rye
Things to do and where to go for Camber and the Rye Bay area of Sussex and Kent. If you are looking for a “Chessington Adventure World”, “Disney” or “Lego Land”… then holidaying anywhere along the Kent and Sussex coast between Dover and Brighton is certainly not for you .
If this is your first visit… life in this part of the world, and in particular the triangle and surrounding areas of Hastings (WEST), Tenterden (NORTH) and Hythe (EAST), is definitely in the slow lane where Most things to do date back to a time when all you needed was a bucket and shovel, good hiking boots, sunshine, a picnic basket, or all of the above.
If you are staying in Camber or the Rye Bay area and looking for some suggestions for a day out and things to do, here are some interesting suggestions to help you appreciate the area and this beautiful part of the country. .
All the suggestions of things to do will help pass the time and can make for a great day. All distances quoted are approximate from Camber to the location and we strongly recommend that (off season) if you are traveling any distance you check or phone to see if the facility is open.
North of Camber and Rye
Smallhyth Place. TN30 7NG. Built in the early 16th century, Smallhythe Place was purchased by renowned Victorian actress Ellen Terry in 1899. Her daughter Edith Craig opened the museum in 1929, which houses a fascinating personal and theatrical collection. Activities for children: contests and trails for all ages. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winery.
Chapel Down Winery. Little Hythe, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG. Plenty of free parking: Chapel Down Winery produces world-class award-winning still and sparkling wines from grapes grown at their home in Small Hythe, near Tenterden. The winery also supports and partners with vineyards throughout the South East of England, buying the grapes from local growers and then bottling in their cellar. The Winery welcomes visitors all year round – mini tours are available and there is a large shop selling award-winning English wines. The winery has now presented Harvest Tours 2012 and advance bookings are now being taken for these tours which will take place on Friday 5th, Tuesday 9th and Friday 12th October 2012. Adjacent to the Chapel Down Winery is The Swan English Restaurant , which is now open and worth it. visited…
Tenterden Steam Train – Kent & Sussex. TN30 6HE. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is one of the best examples of rural light rail in the country: the Kent and East Sussex Railway Rover’s all-day hop-on, hop-off fares allow unlimited travel over the 10 miles (16 .8 km) from the railway. You can stop to explore in any season, to visit Bodiam Castle, for example, or to look at the engine yard at Rolvenden. Baskets are available. Catering is also available in the station’s refreshment rooms at Tenterden. The children’s play area is adjacent to the refreshment rooms and offers shaded picnic tables. Free parking is available in Tenterden (260 spaces) and Northiam. Visitors wishing to start their journey from Bodiam can park in the National Trust’s Bodiam Castle car park for a small fee. National Trust members can park for free.
tenterden it’s also a lovely town to visit, with many individually owned antique boutiques and coffee and tea shops.
Great Dixter (Gardens). TN31 6PH (near the Mill Toy Museum). Great Dixter House & Gardens in Northiam was built around 1450 and is the birthplace of the late Christopher Lloyd, gardening author. Light refreshments, hot and cold beverages and ice cream are available all day with seating in the gift shop garden.
Bodiam Castle. TN32 5UA. Bodiam, one of Britain’s most famous castles, was built in 1385. The exterior is largely complete and the walls rise dramatically above the moat. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sissinghurst Gardens. TN17 2AB. Sissinghurst’s beautiful garden was first laid out in the 1930s. The gardens surround the remains of an Elizabethan mansion. Open from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays).
Pashley Manor Gardens. TN5 7HE Pashley Manor Gardens.Winner of English Garden of the Year. On the border of East Sussex and Kent and winner of Christie’s Garden Of The Year award, is one of the best gardens in England. Picnics can be had in the parking lot field and in the adjoining field, with a fantastic view of the front of the house and the surrounding hills. There are some tables and benches. (Not in the gardens). More times enter 2 for 1 but you need membership card. Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Bank Holiday Mondays and special event days. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Scotty’s Castle and Gardens. TN3 8JN. One of the most romantic gardens in England designed in a picturesque style around the ruins of a 14th century moated castle, set in a beautiful wooded estate. There is always plenty to enjoy for the whole family here. The house was opened in phases and in 2011 the final phase of the rooms was opened. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m./4:30 p.m./5:00 p.m.