Dunescape Camber

Here’s our guide to enjoying a June break around Rye and Camber Sands.

Alongside the many regular attractions in this wonderful corner of East Sussex, you’ll find events including a rare chance to explore 10 secret gardens, an opportunity to fly hawks at a 14^th century castle, a subterranean mystery tour – plus plenty of ways to enjoy our countryside, wildlife, arts, crafts and produce.

We’ve just had a cancellation at Dunescape, our Camber Sands beach house, so can now offer the week 21 – 28 June at just £495, a saving of over £140. 

Read all about the house here and get booking details here.

Or go via HolidayLettings or TripAdvisor - we have 100% 5* reviews on both.

To take a look at other Camber Sands holiday options, you’ll find our essential guide to other Camber Sands self-catering accommodation here

Saturday 1 June – Bodiam Castle Hawking Experience

They say: “The birds of prey are back for this exclusive Hawking Experience. See the birds up close and learn about these fascinating creatures before having the chance to fly one of the birds yourself. The demonstration will be followed by a 2-course lunch.”

More Information: Jane Coveney, 01580 831325, jane.coveney@nationaltrust.org.uk

More http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/things-to-see-and-do/events/

Saturday 1 June – Winchelsea Cellar Tour (Also on Sunday 9 June)

There is an ancient mystery lurking under the floorboards in Winchelsea. Beneath no fewer than 56 houses in this ancient, hilltop town are medieval vaults: dark, dank cellars, hacked out of the sandstone at great expense and with great labour.

Read our account of a great day out here: http://dunescape.co.uk/things-to-do/take-a-winchelsea-subterranean-mystery-tour/

More http://www.winchelsea.net/tours.htm

Saturday 1 June: Rye Arts and Crafts Fair (also on 22 June)

Hand-made crafts and art from local artists and makers, held at Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill, Rye TN31 7LE.

Saturday and Sunday 1-2 June: RX Wildlife Festival

The last two days of a 9-day celebration of local wildlife, with activities from Hastings to Dungeness including a marine roadshow, afternoon tea walk, minibeast hunt, and Land-Rover safari

More http://www.wildrye.info/dates/

Friday 7 June : Rye Country Market (also on 14, 21, 28 June)

They say: “Rye Country Market offers fresh locally grown fruit, flowers and vegetables as well as home-made cakes, savouries, jams, hand-made crafts and more. Refreshments available. Venue: Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill, Rye TN31 7LE.”

Saturday 8 June : Winchelsea’s Secret Gardens 

It’s a very rare privilege indeed to be allowed within the high walls of Winchelsea’s 10 secret gardens.

Which explains why these wonderful private retreats are collectively the most popular of all the hundreds in the National Gardens Scheme’s gardens open for charity events.

Read our account here: http://dunescape.co.uk/your-last-chance-to-discover-winchelseas-secret-gardens/

More: http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder/garden.aspx?id=17875

Sunday 9 June : Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: Breeding Birds – successful or not?

They say: “See how the breeding terns, gulls and waders are doing this year in their struggle to raise chicks. Meet at Rye Harbour car park, 4 – 6.30pm. “

More: http://www.wildrye.info/dates/

Sunday 16 June : Bateman’s (Kipling’s former home) Father’s Day Tea

They say: “If you imagine an afternoon tea at Bateman’s is just dainty cakes then you and your dad are in for a surprise. Instead, tuck into a hot mini Yorkshire pudding with gravy, a posh fish finger roll and a homemade mini pasty, served with a rustic sandwich and the ever-popular Bateman’s classic cream tea, washed down with a good strong cup of tea. £12.50; booking essential on 01435 882302.

More: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/things-to-see-and-do/events/

Sunday 16 June: Rye Vintage Fashion & Home Fair

Mini Vintage Fashion and Homewares Fair, coinciding with the Rye Classic Car Cruise. Venue: Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill, Rye

More: http://www.redrosevintagefairs.webs.com/

Sunday 23 June:  Rye Harbour nature Reserve: Trapping Sharks, Tigers and Elephants!

They say: “Find out more about the amazing variety of moths that visit the reserve when the warden opens up the moth trap to reveal last night’s catch.
Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage Information Centre”

More: http://www.wildrye.info/dates/

Monday 24 June : Batemans Midsummer Walk and Supper

They say: “Join the warden for a guided walk of the 330-acre estate, following in the footsteps of author Rudyard Kipling. Followed by a hearty supper in the Mulberry Restaurant. Wear walking boots or wellies and suitable clothing.”

More: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/things-to-see-and-do/events/

What’s on around the rest of the county

You’ll find loads more Sussex events here: http://www.visitsussex.org/page/events-june/

 

At CamberLights we create unique designs in fused, slumped and cast glass, often using shells and driftwood from the beach at Camber Sands.

The work is displayed at, and sold from, our Camber Sands beach house, www.dunescape.co.uk  We’ll have a dedicated website up shortly, and will also be attending craft fairs in Rye, and elsewhere in East Sussex and west Went.

What follows is a selection of work that is currently for sale. No two designs are the same, and once sold are not repeated, but if you like anything you see here and it is no longer available, we do take commissions. Our contact:  dunescape@hotmail.co.uk.

 

Above is a yellow starfish mounted in Camber Sands driftwood and backlit with LED strip lights which give this effect in a darkened room:

Dimensions approx 50cms sq. Price including packing and delivery within the UK: £295.

We can create slumped glass designs to order, and they can either be unmounted, mounted in driftwood, or framed in driftwood. Framed designs can be back-lit.

The orange starfish design above (also seen at the top of this post) sits on the windowsill on the top-floor landing at Dunescape, where it catches the early-morning sun, even in a wintery spring, like this:

Dimensions: glass approx 30cms sq, driftwood mount approx 50cms. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £125.

The design above was created using a plaster-cast of a scallop shell found on Camber Sands, then fired in a kiln, and the resulting slumped glass is mounted in driftwood that was also found on the beach. It’s in gold glass, dimensions approx 20cms sq. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £75.

Not all our work is entirely inspired by the beach. This heart design in blue glass, mounted in driftwood, is currently in the master suite at Dunescape. The glass measures approx 30cm by 20cm. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £75.

The green glass shell design above is in the en-suite at Dunescape. It was created using plaster casts of shells found on the beach, then kiln fired, and the slumped glass is fixed to a sheet of clear glass that is mounted in a piece of Camber driftwood. Here’s a close-up:

Approx dimensions of glass: 50 cms tall, 25cms wide. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £125.

We don’t just create slumped glass, we also have fused, cast, leaded and copper-foiled designs. Here are a few of them:

This trio of sailing ships, made from pieces of glass that have been copper-foiled and soldered, and then individually mounted in driftwood, currently sail across the windowsill in Dunescape’s en suite. Approx dimensions: 50cms wide by 20cms high. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £55.

We also make smaller pieces in fused glass. The little storyboard above (please ignore the seagulls, they are just passing through) is approx 30cms wide by 12cms high. Price, including packing and UK delivery: £35. Guests will see it in the living room at Dunescape.

We also make Camber Sands-inspired cast-glass items, suncatchers and mobiles which we will sell from craft fairs.

If you like anything here, or have any questions to ask, please contact us at dunescape@hotmail.co.uk

The never-ending winter put everything behind schedule in the countryside – bluebells included.

So if you want to be sure of enjoying a true purple carpet of Sussex blooms, best make your visit in mid-May.

Here is our shortlist of some of the best places to see bluebells around Camber Sands and Rye – with one or two other mid-May attractions in the area.

First, here are six bluebell woods close to Rye and Camber that come recommended by the Woodland Trust and VisitWoods.org.uk.

Guestling Wood

There are spectacular bluebell and wood anemone displays in Guestling Wood, a typical High Weald ancient woodland of 110 acres close to Hastings Country Park.

Find it at Water Mill Lane, Pett, East Sussex. Grid ref: TQ 864 145

There’s a map here.

Brede High Woods

It’s run  by the woodland trust and they say of it: “The heathland, bluebell-carpeted ancient woodland, fern-lined rides and acid grassland at Brede High Woods provide homes for a huge range of wildlife, including a beetle thought to be extinct in the UK, herds of fallow deer and wild boar.

Find it off Chitcombe Road, the B2089, just south of Cripps’ Corner and north of Sedlescombe. Grid ref: TQ802201

Get directions from your current location here

Battle Great Wood

Find it in Marley Lane, near Battle, East Sussex. Grid ref: TQ771160

Get directions from  your current  location here.

Collingwood

Find it off Stream lane and close to the B2244 Hastings Road south of Hawkhurst. Grid ref: TQ760292

Get directions here

Flatropers Wood

Find it at Bixley Lane near Beckley on  the A268 north ofRye, East Sussex. Grid ref: TQ862229

Get directions here

Vinehall Wood

Find it on the B2089 between Cripps Corner and Vinehall Street, East Sussex. Grid ref: TQ759204

Get directions here.

Some other bluebell-wood recommendations

Wilderness Wood

Bluebell walks until Fri 17 May – Bluebell Walks

They say: “Enjoy spring flowers with special trails taking in white wood anemones, swathes of bluebells and golden celandines, with bright green spring leaves unfurling overhead. Three walk distances to choose from up to a mile.”

Details here

Batemans

Bluebell and wildflower walk

They say: “Discover the magic of spring as you follow the paths and fields through Rudyard Kipling’s little bit of England. Please wear suitable clothing. £5 per person. Booking essential. Phone 01435 882302” Download a leaflet here

Arlington

Bluebell Walks until May 19

They say: “There are 8 walks over three working farms and 23 acres at Arlington Bluebell Wood. And it’s open daily to celebrate 40 years. One walk is designed for those with walking difficulties and disability scooters are available free of charge.” Details here

Want to discover more bluebell woods? 

Go to this site where you can type in a postcode for a list of your local bluebell woods

Other things to do around Camber Sands and Rye in mid-May

Brighton Festival 4 – 26 May

England’s largest international arts festival runs almost all month, with a huge range of events. This year former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen is guest director. Details here

Charleston Festival 17 – 26 May

The Bloomsbury set’s one-time country home at Charleston Farmhouse near Lewes offers a literary and arts festival with a huge range of star names. Details here

Bateman’s Painting the garden day 24 May

They say: “Paint the garden, tutored by local artist Julie King. Please bring own materials. £35. Booking essential. Phone 01435 882302.” Details here

Looking for May Bank Holiday events?

You’ll find our guides here:

Early May bank holiday what’s on guide

Late May bank holiday what’s on guide

Here’s our run-down of family-friendly things to do on the May 24 – 27 Bank Holiday weekend around Camber Sands, Rye and Hastings.

Bodiam Castle Boat Rally 25 – 27 May

They say: “Bodiam Castle hosts the Inland Waterways Association National Trailboat Rally. Come and see the boats as they trail past and moor beside the Wharf Tea Room on the River Rother.” Details here

Arrive in style…

Get to Bodiam by steam train from Tenterden or Northiam

Or by ferry from Northiam

Battle Abbey Knights Challenge for Kids 27 – 31 May

They say: “Have you got what it takes to be a Norman or Saxon knight? Come and grab your sword and shield and we’ll put you through this fun challenge to test the skills you will need to complete your quest before you’re knighted. Details here

RX Wildlife Festival

They say: “The 9th annual wildlife festival will be taking place during the half term week with wildlife-themed activities in the RX area – from Hastings to Dungeness. With a marine roadshow, afternoon tea walk, minibeast hunt, landrover safari and much more, there should be something for everyone.” Details here

Plus: great houses and gardens

All the lovely houses and castles around Rye are open including:

Great Dixter - what’s on here

Nymans - what’s on here

Sissinghurst - what’s on here

More Rye events here

Looking for early May Bank Holiday events, and mid-May inlcuding bluebell woods?

Here are our guides:

Early May bank holiday what’s on guide

Mid-May guide to the best bluebell woods and other attractions

Here’s our run-down of mainly family-friendly things to do on the May 3 – 6 Bank Holiday weekend around Camber Sands, Rye and Hastings

Hastings Jack in the Green festival 3-6 May

Hasting celebrates what should be the start of summer in its own unique way with its Jack in the Green festival, which harks back Celtic and Roman customs.

Jack in the Green is a festival of folk music and ceilidhs. On Bank Holiday Monday there’s a procession through the Old Town and up onto the West Hill, with music, dance, singing, street entertainment and the crowning of the May Queen.

Full event details here

The organisers say: “In the 16th and 17th centuries people would make increasingly elaborate garlands of flowers and leaves for the May Day celebration.

“Works guilds would try to outdo each other, in the late 18th century this became a matter for competition.

“Milkmaids in London carried garlands on their heads with silver objects on them, but the crown had to go to the chimney sweeps. Their garland was so big it covered the entire man. It became known as Jack in the Green.”

There’s more history here

The custom died out locally at the end of the 19^th century, but was revived in Hastings by Mad Jacks Morris Dancers in 1983.

Kent and East Sussex Railway Steam Up May 4-6

They say: “The Kent & East Sussex Railway is the country’s finest example of a rural light railway. The line gently wends its way from Tenterden – “The Jewel of The Weald” – for ten and a half miles, through the unspoilt countryside of the Rother Valley, to terminate in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust castle at Bodiam.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to travel on steam trains between Tenterden and Bodiam over the weekend. Details here

Eastbourne Magnificent Motors 4-5 May

Eastbourne’s motoring spectacular will feature over 500 vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses, steam traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, reflecting a century of motoring. There’ll also be a French Market, live music and a fun fair. Details here

Brighton Festival 4 – 26 May

England’s largest international arts festival runs almost all month, with a huge range of events. This year former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen is guest director. Details here

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve guided tour May 4

They say: “An Introduction to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. In the first series of walks we will look at wildlife on the new saltmarsh and on the beach reserve and visit our hides at the Quarry and Ternery Pool. Details here

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Wader Watch May 5

They say: “Many wading birds are breeding here or stopping off on their northward migration; come and find them and count the Whimbrel leaving their roost at dawn.” There’s a 4.30am start, so you’d better be keen! Details here

Bodiam Castle Dawn Chorus May 5

This is another one for early risers. They say: “Calling all nature lovers. Wake up to a bacon butty and mug of breakfast tea, while you enjoy a beautiful sunrise over Bodiam Castle, listen to the Dawn Chorus and learn about the rich wildlife that surrounds the castle. £5. Booking essential”. Details here

RSPB Dungeness Birdwatching for beginners May 5

They say: “A guided walk especially aimed at those new to birdwatching. Booking essential.” Details here

Houses, castles and gardens

All the lovely houses and castles around Rye are open including:

Bodiam Castle – what’s on here

Battle Abbey – what’s on here

Great Dixter – what’s on here

Nymans – what’s on here

Sissinghurst – what’s on here

 

Looking for late May Bank Holiday events? Or mid-May attractions including bluebell woods?

Here are our guides:

Late May bank holiday what’s on guide

Mid-May guide to the best bluebell woods and other attractions