News

Aug 16, 2023

The White House Review: A beach cottage in Camber Sands

From here, you can hear the rolling waves just a stone’s throw away Tucked away behind the rolling sand dunes of Camber Sands beach is the White House, a quaint cottage which might look unassuming at

From here, you can hear the rolling waves just a stone’s throw away

Tucked away behind the rolling sand dunes of Camber Sands beach is the White House, a quaint cottage which might look unassuming at first, but behind its doors sits an idyllic seaside escape that wouldn’t look out of place among the affluent summer homes of The Hamptons.

Much like the name suggests, the beach house is a bright, space made up of white weatherboard, soft pastel-hued vintage furniture pieces and vast windows flooding the cottage with sunlight.

Double French doors are dotted along the rear of the property, opening out to the stunning garden and decking area. On golden afternoons, swing in a hammock nestled within the garden’s very own orchard or enjoy dinner al fresco on the deck.

An outdoor sofa area, big enough for the whole family to gather around, provides the perfect place to cosy up with a book - that is if you don’t get distracted by the flurry of butterflies which flutter between the lavender bushes in the summer months.

From here, you can also hear the rolling waves just a stone’s throw away. Although you can’t see the sea from the property, a gate at the bottom of the garden leads directly over the dunes and onto the stunning stretch of Camber Sands beach.

The White House is undeniably in its element during the summer months, but thanks to the garden-facing windows, even in the colder months visitors can still keep their eyes on the surrounding nature from inside. There’s also a log burner for chillier days, and a classic roll top bath begging to be sank into after a blustery coastal walk.

As The White House is a self-catering stay, it's a good idea to come prepared or have a car so you can pop into the nearby supermarket in Rye.

For smaller or last-minute purchases, there are two corner shops only a couple of minutes' walk away. And there is a local bus service which runs to and from the town of Rye, as well as plenty of local taxis which are happy to pick up from Camber when booked in advance.

And if you don’t want to leave fluffier members of the family behind, the White House permits one dog to come along and enjoy the holiday too.

Parking is provided for up to two cars, and although there are parking bays on the road outside of the property, these aren’t guaranteed - especially during the busy summer months. The property owners also recently installed a new EV charger for guest use, though there is a small fee to use it.

Rating: 5/5

Though it might seem small from outside, the cottage can actually sleep up to 10 people across four bedrooms - including three double rooms and a bunkbed room kitted out with its own little library shelf, exclusively for children.

The theme of The White House remains consistent throughout, with all white walls and white wood flooring, fixtures and fittings.

However, there are pops of pastel here and there - in the retro kitchen lights, the comfy throw pillows on the living room sofa, or the pale blue writing desks, the perfect spot.

Groups of families and friends will benefit from the large open plan layout of the cottage, ideal for hosting dinners and parties, but if you're looking for some peace and quiet, sliding doors and shutter doors can be used to create cosy nooks.

The living space flows into a large kitchen and dining space, which goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a self-catering stay. There’s a large Bertazzoni cooker and gas hob, dishwasher, and washer and dryer, conveniently tucked away behind rustic handmade cupboard doors. The large fridge freezer is also hidden behind a mint green door, so as not to disturb the aesthetics of the space.

An assortment of kitchen utensils is on hand, including a pestle and mortar, a cocktail shaker, and baker’s scales. Even younger members of the family are accounted for, with a selection of plastic plates, cutlery and cups in an assortment of colours.

Throw open the double doors and let the fresh, morning air wake you up

And, if you do forget anything in your grocery haul, the pantry comes stocked with a few helpful extras including salt, pepper, cooking oils and herbs - a rare bonus that isn’t often found in holiday rentals.

To the rear of the kitchen sits a smaller living space, which can be screened off to create a cosy TV room. Though there is a smart TV, the room maintains its vintage vibe with mid-century furniture pieces and an antique, pistachio medical cupboard.

There are two spacious double bedrooms at the front of the property, and a cosier double to the rear which comes with its own en-suite. Overlooking the tranquil garden, the back bedroom was our favourite of the three. Throw open the double doors and let the fresh, morning air wake you up. It truly is the dreamiest spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee.

Kids will love the fun bunk bedroom, which can comfortably sleep four across two bunkbeds, plus there’s an additional trundle bed if needed. The little library is an excellent touch to this space, well kitted out with children’s classics, as well as more modern options, such as the heartwarming picture book, ‘I am Perfectly Designed’ by Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown.

The main bathroom is separate from the toilet and shower room, meaning you can indulge in a long bubble bath without family members desperately knocking at the door to get in. Antique features continue through to the bathroom, complete with an opulent roll-top tub, tin panels adorning the walls and a selection of apothecary bottles dotted along a high shelf.

Rating: 5/5

Recently named "Britain’s best beach for warm temperatures", Camber Sands is quite literally just a few footsteps from The White House, making it the perfect location for a coastal escape.

The vast stretch of golden sand is a dreamy location for a splash in the sea or a spot of sunbathing in the summer months, but thanks to the iconic rolling sand dunes, it makes for a beautiful coastal walking destination year-round.

There is enough to keep you busy in the nearby area, with local pubs, smaller shops and cafés all within walking distance.

Camber Landing is a must-visit in the area, perfect for fresh coffees in the morning and locally-sourced bottles of natural wine in the evening.

But if you do fancy a day trip or an evening out, the famous, historic town of Rye is an eight-minute drive away.

There is an hourly bus service if you’d prefer not to drive, although it is worth noting these can be a little bit unpredictable, especially in the busy summer months, so it may be worth booking a local taxi instead.

Alternatively, you can walk the three-and-a-half-mile cycle path between Camber and Rye. It will take roughly an hour to complete but does include a lovely stroll along the river. Once in Rye, there are a host of cosy pubs, restaurants, antique shops and cultural sites to visit.

The White House is easily accessible by car and relatively easy to find. But given its proximity to Rye, the cottage is also a fantastic option for those who need to travel by train. From Rye station, simply hop on the bus or in a taxi - the journey shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. It took us less than two hours to get from London to the cottage.

Rating: 4/5

Lead pricing starts from £1,730 for three nights, though prices can vary throughout the year. Though it may be pricey for a couple, the cost is fairly reasonable when split between a larger group. You can search for and book a stay on the Camber Holiday Cottages website.

Lydd RdCamber, RyeTN31 7RS

Telephone: 0794 653 2130

Website: Camberholidaycottages.co.uk

On particularly sun-soaked days, you could easily mistake The White House and its golden sand surroundings for a beach house on the Long Island coastline.

Yet, thanks to its refined, vintage vibe, there are still elements of the cottage which root it firmly on the English seaside.

Small touches throughout - the selection of seaside postcards on the bedroom shelves, or the pastel-coloured boxes of tea in the kitchen - add character to each room.

Whether you’re after a romantic escape with a loved one, a sophisticated stay with friends or a holiday that the whole family can enjoy, the adaptable configuration of The White House means it can be tailored to perfection.

However, given the price, it makes more sense to split the cost of a stay between a larger group.

The ability to throw open the doors and welcome the outside is one of the greatest assets of this property.

That’s not to say it can’t make for a cosy winter retreat either. But no matter when you do plan your visit, the nearby stretch of Camber Sands will call you to its stunning shoreline.

READ NEXT: