Parking Guide
Camber Sands parking: the complete 2026 guide
Parking is the single biggest pain point at Camber Sands. From 1 April 2026 the summer day rate at the council car parks is £30, a roughly 66% rise widely covered by the local press. Here is what each car park costs, where the free option is, when the gates lock, and the local workarounds we use to skip the traffic entirely.
Central, Old Lydd Road & Western Car Parks
Three council-operated car parks running the length of the beach. Pay on entry by card or cash, or via the RingGo app. Gates at Central are locked at 8pm on Friday and Saturday (and Sunday on bank holiday weekends) from April to September, so no overnight stays.
Summer prices (1 April to 30 September 2026)
| Duration | Price |
|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £6.00 |
| 1 to 3 hours | £12.00 |
| 3 to 6 hours | £24.00 |
| Over 6 hours | £30.00 |
Winter prices (1 October to 31 March)
| Duration | Price |
|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.50 |
| 1 to 3 hours | £4.00 |
| 3 to 6 hours | £6.75 |
| Over 6 hours | £8.25 |
Postcodes: Central & Old Lydd Road TN31 7RH, Western TN31 7RB.
RingGo zone codes: 15617, 15619, 15620.
Coaches use Western (TN31 7RB) at £4.50 per hour. All prices include VAT at 20%.
Broomhill Sands (free parking)
The best-known free option. East Sussex County Council operates this car park at the eastern end of the beach, near Jury's Gap. Around 300 spaces on gravel with no marked bays. Direct access to the watersports end of the beach.
- Free all year, no time limit during the day
- Height barrier in place: no campervans or roof boxes
- No toilets on site (about a 15 minute walk back to Camber village)
- Fills up fast in summer. Arrive before 9am on sunny weekends
- Frankie's at the Beach food van often operates nearby in season
Other alternatives
- Camber Castle pub: around £10/day, first come first served
- Poundfield car park: around £10/day, more space
- JustPark private driveways: from around £6.80/day
- Gibbet Marsh in Rye: £2.75 all day, then cycle the three mile shared path to Camber
💡 Local tip:
On hot summer weekends the single access road into Camber (New Lydd Road) can grind to a stop, and the road sometimes closes when the car parks fill. Arrive before 9:30am or after 3:30pm, or skip driving altogether: train to Rye, then the 102 bus, or park at Gibbet Marsh in Rye for £2.75 and cycle in. If you pay with RingGo, remember to "check out" when you leave, otherwise you will be charged for the full day band. See how to get here without a car for the full step by step.
🚪 Gate-locking times, in plain English:
Between April and September, the Central car park gates are locked at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and also on Sundays of bank holiday weekends. If your car is still inside when the gates lock, you will not be able to retrieve it until they reopen the next morning. Plan your exit accordingly, especially after sunset photography or evening kitesurf sessions.