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We thought we'd try a day trip to the beach at Camber, it's a2 hour drive from home in South London. Knowing it would be busy we got the car packed and sandwiches made last night and were off the drive at 0830, slower than I wanted but not too bad given we have a 5 yo, 3 to and 1 yo. Drive down was a bit slower than normal but not bad. Until rye. 3 miles from the car park we hit the nose to tail queue. We moved about 0.8 miles in about 45 minutes before giving up and running round. Since you can't book the parking, I guess family day trips to the seaside are out this summer.
Any locals that can give tips or a clue as to how early we'd need to be to get in without much queuing?
Don’t go to camber. It’s a hellhole.
The beach is nice, huge sandy beach that goes out gently, perfect for little kids to paddle, build sand castles and hunt shells. The skate egg cases found previously were great to
Anywhere that is popular, on a 'must see', 'hidden gem' or 'local's secret' liat or just the obvious choice will be rammed all summer. If you want to guarantee getting in to somewhere be prepared to set out at midnight and be in the queue before sunrise!
Yes I thought that might be the case. I had to try though. I'll try a midweek trip too, but guess that may be as bad
Let’s have a look at the factors
1) sunny day
2) start of school holidays
3) everyone is staycationing
4) Camber is one of the nearest beaches to London
5) 08.30 is leaving it quite late …
Perfect planning and all that … and other people that’s ant to do exactly as you have.
My local beach ( 1km away) was “no parking left” by 09.00
perfect for little kids to paddle
Apart from Camber's infamous riptide.
I do find the smell of frying onions and greasy chips wafting across the sands irresistible.
I went for a quick spin in the Peak District last night because the car has been sitting for a couple of weeks. By quick spin I mean 30mph max in bumper to bumper traffic with thousands people marching along the sides of the roads.
It took over an hour to go to Ladybower and back. Definitely should have stayed at home.
Agree mrmoof, 0630 alarm to get the wife and kids out by then.
Move out of London
Sussex Live: 7 hidden gem beaches in Sussex to enjoy the heatwave without the crowds.
https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/news/sussex-news/7-hidden-gem-beaches-sussex-5665393
Without the crowds is definitely stretching it a bit in that article. The whole Sussex coast is rammed. Last summer was a joke in many of those spots. Holywell in Eastbourne is a good shout for little ones with the rock pools though. Traffic will be a nightmare though whatever way you cut it
Not hidden now are they.
Considering the Scottish Highlands is mobbed with people who have driven for hours to get here, I don't think you've much hope at a beach an hour from London!
Conversely I went for a ride in the Dales yesterday and apart from Ribblehead (there was a charity three peaks walk on) it was pretty quiet, more like mid-week in April than a sunny Saturday in July.
Not hidden now are they.
most of them are >500yds from a car park so they may as well be.
Missed the 6am alarm call for a ride up into the Peak District this morning, so headed into the deserted south Derbyshire lanes and it was lovely.
Really didn't fancy riding up the A6 past the queuing tourists getting irate at the cyclists going past "causing the congestion" 🤣
most of them are >500yds from a car park so they may as well be.
All that means is any patch of land or verge will be turned into a car park. Couldn't quite believe the levels of stupid I witnessed last summer down here.
Just about to hit the downs at Lancing. I am hoping everyone is till out on the beach!
Considering the Scottish Highlands is mobbed with people who have driven for hours to get here, I don’t think you’ve much hope at a beach an hour from London!
Our experience last week in Torridon was only slightly busier than usual.
The only real difference seems more folk are in vans/caravans/tents, and more roadside camping than before.
it was pretty quiet, more like mid-week in April than a sunny Saturday in July.
I went for a 20k hike in the cotswolds yesterday, and apart from in Charlbury, which itself was pretty quiet, we met a couple of dog walkers and about 4 mtbers. It was a bit warm, so the shady sections on the old byways and in Wychwood forest were welcome.
of course, but the beach is nice!Don’t go to camber. It’s a hellhole.
Driving through Rye is busy normally, attempting it on a day like today is the very definition of insanity though! If you’ve all got bikes there’s actually a really good traffic-free route between Rye & camber, so you can ditch the vehicle in or just outside Rye, only takes 15-20 mins & it’s flat.
One reason we like Camber is the large dunes, which my girls like exploring and since it's between the car park and the beach I used to think it put some people off. It feels a trek with 3 small kids and beach stuff but worthwhile for a nice beach.
I am not totally surprised, more disappointed having got there at a reasonable time. Given to the eldest 2 have school tomorrow (still in for a week) they would have suffered with an earlier start. Oh well. Anyway, does a local know what is like in the week? I hope to take a few odd days over the summer and would do a beach day or two if that's viable.
When our kids were smaller we used to go to St Mary’s Bay. Not far from Camber and less busy too. Might be worth a quick google search to see if that’s still the case. Avoid Dymchurch like the plague though.
I went to St Mary's Loch in D&G on Friday pm with the dog. I have never seen more than a couple of people there and more usually no one. It was like Benidorm. Didn't stay more than 5mins and even that was painful.
Missed the 6am alarm call for a ride up into the Peak District this morning, so headed into the deserted south Derbyshire lanes and it was lovely.
South of the A6 is always quiet though. Went north of it from Peak Forest this morning about 9ish and it wasn't too bad. The roads and parking seemed quiet for such a warm day, perhaps they'd all gone to Camber sands. Only had one impatient driver squeeze me into the kerb and beep at the two ladies in front of me coming in to Hope from Edale, she had to get in front before the T-junction irrespective of oncoming bikes, cars and pedestrians crossing. A tap on the side of her car and a more assertive position seemed to dissuade her. Other than that a lovely, if hot ride.
Any locals that can give tips or a clue as to how early we’d need to be to get in without much queuing?
I'm not that local, but also have small kids. The key to this to me is in still having a fun time when you get there. Sure, you can be set up on the beach before 8am if you plan to get everyone up and out, but will everyone be having fun at that time? If you are then done by 11am after an early start (my experience of the little ones is that a whole long day on the beach isn't always great) you may find yourself hitting gridlocked traffic, even though you are trying to leave.
Aiming to be at a beach for 9am is like a good starting point for us - at least a few spaces will open up at most beaches then as dog walkers and joggers leave.
Also check out the more local lakes with beaches too, as a backup option to the seaside. Might give you more flexibility.
<b>Am in Southend (East), got train from Limehouse (home) and it's been ok. Yes, lots of people around but only waited 20min for outdoor table at beach cafe, plenty of places for drinks n' shizz, got a spot away from the crowds at the beach. Yeah the view is shite, yeah it proper Essex, but I'm in the sun and away from crowds....what's not to like. </b>
No local advice to offer but this was our swimming spot today. Just down the road it was a nightmare but thankfully not here.
Just about to hit the downs at Lancing
How was it, I've been out this afternoon on the Downs at the eastern end of Brighton. Quieter than any normal nice weekend day by a long way. I think the heat had kept a lot of people away. Even the bits of the SDW were very quiet.
Move out of London
Please stay in London 😉
The rest of the country is better without more people moving there, especially those going house-shopping with their London money.
West Witterings in West Sussex operate a booking only policy for their car park, long sandy beaches, lots of pools at low tide, green open spaces etc... but the road in can get badly traffic jammed and tailbacks can take hours to clear
Other alternative is to drive to Portsmouth, park up near Clarence pier then jump on the Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight, again long sandy beaches, funfair, pubs etc....
Another option is to park at the Portsmouth park and ride just outside the city, jump on the park and ride bus and get off at Portsmouth hard then jump on the FastCat to the I.O.W, you will have a bit of a walk from the ferry Pier to the beach though
When I used to live in Brighton, I would go across to Seaford to use the beach as parking is easy, always quite, beach massive but it is pebbles rather than sand, so no sand dunes to play in
You could head to Bournemouth like the rest of London, albeit at 10am today the traffic was queued back to Basingstoke (60 miles) and the police were shutting roads near the seafront.
Its lovely in the winter, miles of deserted fatbiking on the beach though.
New Forest was weird today. All the car parks were completely rammed and the main roads were gridlocked, but I hardly saw another soul out on the tracks or the minor roads. Guess everyone was just stuck in their cars on the A35.
Been to West wittering, out of season, but know the traffic is still bad even though you can book the parking.
Grum, lovely!
Thanks tenfoot, hive mind does give good tips between the piss taking!
We're just back from a week in Pembrokeshire, we found the best time to go to the beach is mid afternoon. Aim to get there about 3 when people are beginning to leave but the day is still warm
Up at 6am in Newbury, left the house at 6:50, was parked up in the New Forest at 7:55. Ride done by 9:30 (Ms Beej is essentially learning to ride as a grown up so short gentle off road), home by 10:50.
The queues going the other way on our way home (M27, M3) looked horrible.
There is a disused railway cycle path all the way down Hayling Island to the beach if you can park somewhere and cycle there.
You're part of the problem.
The Coast Guard and the hovercraft at Burnham-on-Sea were very busy today, due to the brainless emmets ignoring the warning signs and the bit of paper they’re given with the ticket to get on the beach at Berrow and Brean, and driving too far down the beach and inevitably getting stuck in the mud. Which included someone trying to help and getting stuck themselves.
#rollseyes
I'll second the above, the period 3-8pm is a lovely time to go to the beach, as the light changes.
Just had an article from Kent live pop up on my phone. That says there was an accident on the beach road yesterday and the road was closed. They won't have helped.
I am not totally surprised, more disappointed having got there at a reasonable time
IMO you didn't get there at a reasonable time, I live in a beach town in the SW and trying to get parked and onto the beach at that time of day would have yielded the same results as you!
Yesterday I was parked, on the beach and in the water by 0730 am with my 17 month old. When I left few hours later it was hell on the pavements, roads and car park.
I came back from 4 days in North Wales on Friday and driving back to W Yorks the A55 (IIRC) was in a huge slow moving tailback for miles and miles, people travelling into N Wales.
Was so glad not to be part of it. We don’t have kids and thankfully don’t have to go when everyone else does.
Even this morning at 0700 my local beach car park was starting to get busy - 1/4 full I reckon. Admittedly I think most cars were just single-occupancy with locals popping down for a quick swim/paddle before work but a fair few families were already setting up for the day.
IMO you didn’t get there at a reasonable time, I live in a beach town in the SW and trying to get parked and onto the beach at that time of day would have yielded the same results as you!
Yesterday I was parked, on the beach and in the water by 0730 am with my 17 month old. When I left few hours later it was hell on the pavements, roads and car park.
best time of the day. I surfed a north coast beach on saturday morning, got in at 6am, was the only one in until 7.30 when I got out and went to have some breakfast.
I don't get the appeal of the beach when it's this hot - no shade and sand in your sun cream.
We're lucky as the river is at the bottom of the road and it's a balmy 20degrees in the water today!
I got up at 6am yesterday morning, drove for almost 3 hours and spent 8 hours on a quiet beach / swimming in the sea. It was lovely. Sod going to busy places.
I've spent the weekend in and around loch Tay.
It's been good and quiet . Usual squatter of weedge on the south coast arjohnig road but they are easily avoided and you can hear the Skrillex /smell the weed long before you see em.
Hardly seen anyone else by the water despite the village being heaving
Does help that the best conditions have been at tea time - sunset
Saw there was complete chaos at my old local -lunan bay. As a local I would have gone anywhere but lunan bay on a weekend like this.
How was it, I’ve been out this afternoon on the Downs at the eastern end of Brighton. Quieter than any normal nice weekend day by a long way. I think the heat had kept a lot of people away. Even the bits of the SDW were very quiet.
I ended up going Truleigh Hill to Devils Dyke and a play along some of the tracks there. Left at 4PM... it was nearly deserted. It was warm on the clams but up top there was a healthy breeze.
And I cycled into a tree !
It always gets busy where I live on the beach, but somehow seemed worse than normal yesterday. Cars just fully parked on pavements. When I went out for a ride around 11 there was still a great big queue of traffic trying to make it's way onto the beach.
Worst of all was the bastards completely wiped out the stock of the decent 2 for £4 big bottles of beer from the waitrose/garage just down the road, so I had to make do with Heineken.
I rode through the Lakes on Saturday night as part of an audax route, was surprised to see how many cars and vans were in the lay-bys between Coniston and Keswick. Must have been crazy during the day time.
I live 20 mins drive from the lake district. I no longer venture anywhere near before 6pm. It just isnt worth the stress and my blood pressure cant take the bad parking anymore.
Anyhow, 6.30-7pm onwards it usually pretty easy to park up, the weather can still be fantastic. Ullswater is pretty warm now and you can get in 2-3hours of fun without feeling like you are on a crowded beach in benidorm. I tend to go on a weekday now after work.
I did a holiday break pre covid to durdle door one year. We were staying literally walking distance from the beach. I witnessed a busy location in the height of summer (Without the stress thankfully). I would rather have my teeth pulled with pliers than sit in those traffic jams. Horiible
yep... didn't head down until about 7.30pm yesterday (high tide as well so perfect!) We do only live 5 mins away though 😎I don’t get the appeal of the beach when it’s this hot – no shade and sand in your sun cream.
(Also, I actually prefer a shingle beach... don't get sand everywhere, and they're always quieter plus loads of ammo for skimming!)
I’ll second the above, the period 3-8pm is a lovely time to go to the beach,.
If someone needs telling that then they shouldn't be told it! (Of course it's quieter when everyone starts going home for tea..)
Even this morning at 0700 my local beach car park was starting to get busy – 1/4 full I reckon.
Caswell? One of the boys here said that cars were parked on the double yellows all the way up the hill towards Bishopston, causing all sorts of problems with people trying to use the road.
I rode through the Lakes on Saturday night as part of an audax route, was surprised to see how many cars and vans were in the lay-bys between Coniston and Keswick. Must have been crazy during the day time.
It was busy but not mental in the central Lakes (did the four passes loop).
Probably chocka at Glenridding, but I wasn't silly enough to go there.
Drove down to Devon yesterday to see my mum (first time in a year).
So. Many. Caravans.
1. Didn't think that there are so many caravans in the UK.
2. Aren't there supposed to be load limits on these things? Giant caravans towed by tiny cars seems to be the cool thing now.
so I had to make do with Heineken
😱
Unfortunately you have this issue across the country, as above, in the SW, the M5 just stops around Bristol, Bridgwater and Taunton this time of year, the country lanes to get to places like Weston, Burnham, Brean, etc are all blocked up because someone always tries to get their 4x4 and caravan down and judge something badly, or people just wait on the main road for a space and so on, it's just bad driving and indecision that causes a lot of the issues i see, had someone doing 30 on the B roads between Chepstow and Monmouth and indicating left at every turn, slowing down, then moving on again, honestly, if you haven't a clue where you are or are going, pull over safely and get your bearings!
I was on the River Wye this weekend. Very busy, but once on the river you could avoid the worst of it. However, we left the campsite at 7.30am to ensure we got to space to park and launch and run a car shuttle before it was rammed. It was rammed at every bridge or access point, but any more than 200m away from them it was still pretty peaceful, folk simply won't walk from their vehicles.
I'm starting to hate all these "10 best kept secret beauty spots" type messages in the media. Its hypocritical I know, as I've written articles/blogs about lots of places myself, but am avoiding doing so for my own special favourites now!
On the beach for 8am yesterday morning (Talacre, North Wales) with the family and dog, all done for 10:30am, starting to get a bit too warm and other people were appearing *shudders*
Stationary traffic along the A55 heading into North Wales when we were leaving. **** that.
It always gets busy where I live on the beach, but somehow seemed worse than normal yesterday. Cars just fully parked on pavements. When I went out for a ride around 11 there was still a great big queue of traffic trying to make it’s way onto the beach.
Worst of all was the bastards completely wiped out the stock of the decent 2 for £4 big bottles of beer from the waitrose/garage just down the road, so I had to make do with Heineken.
the Co-op on the main drag should have had stocks - and One-Stop always do ... "the Beach" is a little bit of a desert ...
CoOps in killin - braemar and peterculter have all looked like they were ransacked today. -the only thing left in the fridge that was wet and cold was monster.......so I went with some warm delmonte of the shelf.....and frankly I'd have drank my own urine before monster.
Killin wasn't much better on Saturday AFTER the truck had been round for restock
@argee - while I really enjoyed driving for BCA for a couple of years, and much of the area I covered was the South-west peninsula, I’m bloody glad I don’t have to do it now, at this time of year - it really shows just how poor many people’s driving is in heavy traffic.
I drove over to Avebury today, and went for a walk along a byway up to the Ridgeway, along there for a bit then back down the Herepath into Avebury for a pint, and it was lovely, really quiet except for the birds, and barely a soul to be seen - three cyclists and a couple of blokes on dirt bikes, and that was it! Kind of reminded me of my first ride out over the downs around Avebury and Barbury Castle after the Foot and Mouth shutdown, when there was nobody about for the sixteen miles I was riding. Blissfully quiet. 😁