Beaches and Rivers

Award-Winning Beaches

There are many beaches surrounding Benchwood House and you can find the postcode for each one

by clicking on the green beach icons on the interactive map located above.

Located 13 minutes away is Hastings Pelham Beach and St. Leonards Marina Beach 18 minutes away.

For the first time ever, Hastings has been awarded combined Blue Flag and Seaside Award status for both beaches in 2025.

Camber Sands is extremely popular but can become quite congested unless you visit very early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Pett Level and Winchelsea beaches are both 10 minutes away, and are great options if you are seeking peace and quiet away from holiday makers.

And Winchelsea Beach Café is a great place to relax, dine, and enjoy the sea views.

You can see the wreck of the Amsterdam in low tide at Bulverhythe Beach half an hour away.

This large Dutch East Indiaman was run ashore in a severe gale on Sunday 26 January 1749, and the tops of its ribs are exposed in the sands.

River Experiences

Bodiam Boating Station

You can drive to Bodiam Boating Station in under half an hour, to take a boat trip on a River Rother cruise, with tea and scone or even prosecco. This package is season-dependent.

And there is the option of a private boat hire to visit Bodiam Castle a 14th century moated castle.

Lime Wharf Café is a Scandinavian design boathouse, bistro restaurant, located at Bodiam Boating Station.

They offer sumptuous meals created from locally sourced seasonal ingredients, with exciting menus that they change very often.

Their delicious breakfasts have a large following, and include intriguing vegan options such as chilli infused Labneh, Mexican and Persian eggs, along with classics such as Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale.

You can enjoy cocktails in their beautiful garden during warmer months, and their website provides details for their delicious tapas, which are served once a month on a Friday night from 7.30 p.m.

Reservation for Lime Wharf Café are strongly encouraged.

Full Throttle Boat Charter

You can watch seals close up as they frolic in the water, if you take an exhilarating seal safari boat trip from Rye Harbour 17 minutes away, a journey that takes you past Camber Sands, Winchelsea Beach, and Fairlight Cliffs.

Spaces fill up quickly so it is advisable to secure seats in advance.

Pods of seals also swim past the window of the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre on their route up the River Rother.

Bewl Water

Forty minutes away from Benchwood House is Bewl Water .

It spans 800 acres of beautiful meadows, ancient woodlands, and fresh open water and is a haven for water sports, fishing, walking, cycling and running, entertainment, and alfresco dining with views over the water.

And Bewl Water also hosts a fabulous and magical Christmas event yearly. Watch their trailer for 2025 here and immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas.