Tucked in the easternmost corner of East Sussex, where it borders Kent, Camber is changing fast from a small, traditional bucket and spade-type seaside village to a cool year-round destination for lovers of its incredible dune-backed beach, surrounding wild open spaces and easy access to neighbouring Rye, Hastings, Dungeness and more. In between the post-war bungalows exciting contemporary wood and glass builds are springing up and its south coast microclimate makes it one of the mildest, sunniest spots in the UK. Whether you just want to enjoy the magnificent beach, explore the stunning countryside and historic towns, get active on the water or have a holiday that’s all about family fun, the area has an abundance of things to do. Every guest is given their own copy of the East Sussex Rough Guide.

A two-minute drive out of Rye and a left turn takes you onto a long, straight road into Rye Harbour village - home to a stunning RSPB nature reserve criss-crossed by walking trails (dogs allowed under control). There’s a large, free car park in the village and from here you can access the reserve easily on foot and also make a pit stop at the contemporary glass and concrete café and information centre with amazing views (and cake). The RSPB hold year-round events here. Keep going straight on to arrive at a secret beach after 20 mins walk. No facilities and barely visited but very beautiful. There are often several curious seals here and it’s sandy from about half tide onwards. The beach isn’t lifeguarded so swim at your own risk.

The bleak but beautiful landscape of Dungeness, technically Britain’s only desert, is increasingly attracting artists and creatives lured by the amazing light, huge vistas and otherworldly feel. They have transformed many of the derelict and abandoned homes and industrial buildings here into incredible contemporary homes, many of which are regularly featured in design magazines. Derek Jarman’s cottage is also here, preserved as he left it. From March to October (sometimes longer) the Dungeness Snack Shack serves up seafood freshly caught by a local fishing family that morning and cooked in a converted shipping container. Sit at trestle tables set up on the shingle and eat lobster rolls and crab flatbreads while marvelling at the architecture and unspoilt views.

Often voted Britain’s number one tourist attraction the picture-perfect cobbled streets of Rye are almost too beautiful to believe. Once a little on the twee side Rye these days is all about cool Scandi-led interiors stores, fantastic independent boutiques, contemporary art galleries and a buzzing bar and restaurant scene. There are still plenty of traditional fish and chips to be had and no shortage of quaint tea rooms, traditional low-beamed pubs - and of course just wandering around the streets is a fantastic history lesson in itself. On a rainy day the independent Kino cinema in the heart of the town shows all the latest releases. Rye also hosts many festivals throughout the year plus its famous Bonfire Night procession. More info here.

Up and coming Hastings & St Leonards is a bohemian town filled with the artists and creatives who have helped to regenerate it. Lots of great antiques and bric a brac hunting here, indie shops galore plus a beautiful medieval old town to stroll around and fab eating and drinking. Do walk along the seafront promenade taking in the glorious Regency architecture and stop midway at Goat Ledge, the fabulously quirky seafront café. Take one of the original Victorian funicular lifts (there’s an East or West Hill one) up the cliff for incredible views. Stroll back to Hastings and check out Rock-a-Nore and buy the day’s catch direct from one of the many historic fisherman-owned black wooden net huts to take home and cook – or grab fresh fish and chips from The Mermaid or Blue Dolphin and an ice cream afterwards from Di Pola’s (the best!) to eat in or on the beach. Check it all out here

The East Sussex food and drink scene has burgeoned in recent years and top quality local, speciality produce - and the restaurants serving it - now abound. From the famous Romney salt marsh sheep and distinctive dark red Sussex cattle dotting the fields to the sustainable MSC-certified catches landed by the beach-launched Hastings fishing fleet, East Sussex is a foodie paradise. Add to that several award-winning vineyards and many local varieties of cheese, delicious honeys, speciality produce and more - plus a growing number of festivals (such as the Hastings Food and Wine Festival in September) celebrating it all - and it adds up to foodie nirvana! For a list of personal recommendations just ask. Meanwhile read about it here and here

Of course the beach is the main attraction in the summer for children of all ages – but out of season there’s almost always enough wind – and acres of space - for some serious kite flying, dune jumping and beach games too. Rye has several old-fashioned tea and ice cream parlours with top notch ice cream - and you must go to for an incredible artisan hot chocolate at the amazing Knoops. There are often family-friendly food, music and arts festivals in Rye too. The Rare Breed Centre (a 20 minute drive) is a great way to easily spend a whole day and the Blue Reef Aquarium and Smugglers Cave attractions in Hastings are a happy half day each as well. If your children are into BMX or skateboarding the world-class indoor Source Park is in Hastings. Another fantastic attraction is the Dungeness to Hythe one third sized steam railway (dogs allowed). Unique and unmissable!

You’re spoilt for choice if hunting for that perfect find is your thing. Rye is stuffed with antique, bric-a-brac and vintage shops – both of the interior and fashion variety. For interiors head to the quayside and around, where several are clustered together, but more are dotted throughout the old town. Also well worth a visit is The Rye Emporium, a collection of dealers housed in some atmospheric old warehouses on the road out of town to Rye Harbour. Bigger bricolage sites are dotted on farmland around the countryside (google to find). Hastings Old Town, especially Courthouse Street, and Norman Road in St Leonards have very rich pickings and here you will find everything from huge gilt mirrors and ‘proper’ antiques to sets of stag horns, working automatons and thousands of curios at bargain prices.

Kitesurfing, paddle boarding, water skiing, aqua inflatable courses, sailing, wild swimming, kite buggying, land boarding and more are right on your doorstep. Camber (or more accurately Broomhill Sands right next door) is the UK’s premier centre for kite surfing and related sports and paddleboarders (there’s one included for your use with the cabin) are spoilt for choice on either the sea, local rivers or the lake at Rye Watersports just around the corner (try their amazing café while you’re there!) where you can also learn to sail. Both offer tuition session/days/weeks or straightforward equipment hire deals. Try Action Water Sports in nearby Lydd for water skiing, fly boarding, open water swimming and giant inflatable fun too. We also know an amazing wild river swimming spot about a ten-minute drive away – we can share details with you if you are interested :)

Attempt the 31 mile ‘1066 walk’ from Rye to Pevensey, which explores sites linked to the Battle of Hastings, or stroll along the banks of the peaceful Military Canal, built to protect England from Napoleonic invasion. Try the walk from the front door to the beautiful historic hilltop village of Winchelsea and have lunch at the New Inn gazing at the stunning church of St Thomas The Martyr opposite. Whether you want to stretch yourself or just stretch your legs there is fantastic walking all around Cloud Cabin. If cycling is more your thing (one leisure bike is provided at the house) you’re welcome to bring your own where they can be stored securely in the garden or a selection of bikes (including electric) can be hired locally by the hour, day or week. More info here , here, here or here!

Twelve minutes’ drive from the house in the idyllic village of Iden is Grove Farm Riding School, a traditional village stables with a wide selection of horses, offering lessons and hacks to riders of all abilities in its outdoor school . An Approved establishment of the Association of British Riding Schools and Pony Club we have ridden there with our children and can highly recommend. They’ll be happy for you to call and arrange to pop in with no obligation if you’d like to meet them and the horses before committing to a lesson if you prefer. The stables are surrounded by beautiful countryside for hacking.

East Sussex is a history buff’s dream but equally some of the castles here are so well preserved no imagination or knowledge is needed to easily imagine knights on their chargers or fair maidens filling their grounds. The iconic 14c moated Bodiam Castle is a short drive away and hosts regular fairs, events and re-enactments throughout the year and is one of seven ‘castles of note’ in the county. Of course, Hastings castle and Battle Abbey need no introduction but beyond castles, The National Trust has many more fascinating places to visit including Rudyard Kipling’s Jacobean pile at Batemans. Garden-lovers have plenty as well with Vita Sackville-West’s Sissinghurst Gardens and of course Great Dixter not far away. For more National Trust info go here and English Heritage here