Camber Sands parking prices 2026 (and why it is now £30 a day)
From 1 April 2026, Rother District Council's three Camber Sands car parks have a new summer tariff. The headline number is the new £30 day rate for stays over six hours, a roughly 66% increase widely covered by the local press. Here is what you will actually pay, how to pay it, when the gates lock, and the cheaper alternatives most visitors do not know about.
Summer 2026 (1 April to 30 September) at Central, Old Lydd Road or Western car parks: £6 up to 1 hour, £12 for 1 to 3 hours, £24 for 3 to 6 hours, £30 for more than 6 hours. Winter (1 October to 31 March) is much cheaper, from £1.50 to £8.25. Broomhill Sands car park is free all year, but fills by 9am on sunny weekends.
The 2026 summer tariff in full
The summer tariff applies at all three council car parks (Central, Old Lydd Road and Western) and runs from 1 April to 30 September 2026. Tariffs are identical across the three car parks. All prices include VAT at 20%.
| 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 tariff (1 October to 31 March)
Once the season flips on 1 October the price drops sharply. The whole day costs less than an hour does in summer. Winter is also when the dog zone restrictions lift, which is part of why local dog walkers favour these months.
| 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 |
How to pay
You can pay on entry by card or cash at the car park machines, or via the RingGo app using the zone code that matches the car park. The zone codes are:
- 15617 Central car park
- 15619 Old Lydd Road car park
- 15620 Western car park
If you use RingGo, remember to "check out" when you leave. Sessions that run on will roll into the next tariff band and you can end up paying for a full day when you only stayed three hours.
Central vs Western vs Old Lydd Road: which Camber Sands car park is best for you?
Gate-locking times: do not get locked in
The Central car park gates are locked at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays through summer (April to September), 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. Set an alarm well before sunset, especially after evening kitesurf sessions and golden-hour photo walks.
Coaches, motorhomes and overnight stays
Coaches park at the Western car park (TN31 7RB) at £4.50 per hour. Overnight parking is not permitted in any of the council car parks: the gates close, the wardens enforce, and you risk a fine. Motorhome and campervan owners need a proper site nearby.
Cheaper alternatives
If a full summer day at the council car parks is too much, the local workarounds are:
- Broomhill Sands: free, around 300 spaces, height barrier, no toilets. Arrive before 9am
- Camber Castle pub car park: around £10 per day, first come first served
- Poundfield car park: around £10 per day, more space
- JustPark private driveways: bookable from around £6.80 per day
- Gibbet Marsh in Rye: £2.75 all day, then cycle the three mile shared path to the beach. This is the favourite local move