Pevensey Bay is a narrow and steeply pebbled beach stretching for some way between Eastbourne and Bexhill. This historical fishing village is known as the landing-place for William the Conqueror. The beach is lined with a smattering of holiday cottages, benches and, occasionally, private marinas along its substantial length. There are also opportunities for windsurfing and kayaking.

To be honest there’s not a massive amount of family-friendly attractions here other than the lure of being by the sea itself. Even bathing can present a challenge as the beach shelves steeply into the water, making paddling awkward. rightbeach did see parents and children taking the plunge but close supervision would be advisable.

Having said that it’s within relatively easy reach from Greater London and is a pleasant enough environment to have an ice cream or tuck into some fish and chips while gazing over the water.

rightbeach recommends Pevensey Bay for romantic yet bracing walks along the sea edge or taking the dog for a long run (maybe even combine the two?!) Finish off your chosen walk with fish and chips, shared from the paper wrapping-ahhh!

Beach blurb

• Tide and weather »
• Lifeguards: No
• Water quality: Recommended »
• Dogs: Dogs allowed

See Pevensey Bay beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

• Park in the main car park (pay and display) – there should be enough space.
• The fish and chip shop on Eastbourne Road behind the beach (Rose Grill and Fry) serves pretty good fish and chips to take back to munch on the beach, if a bit on the expensive side.
• It’s fairly exposed and so can get a bit on windy on the beach. Together with the pebble beach making wind breaks impractical, we’d advise setting yourselves up next to one of the breakwaters, in the lee of the prevailing wind.

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Area	Rating	Observation
Beach		Pebbles all along and a steep incline down into the sea
Crowded (1=deserted)		Plenty of space to spread out or stroll along in relative solitude.
Surf		Deep in the heart of the English Channel so not much in the wave department
Sand		Stones, pebbles and, if you’re lucky, a bit of shingle.
Toilets		Free, clean and located in the main car park.
Parking		One smallish pay-and-display close to the beach but there seems to be enough space to deal with demand.
Food		Bit of choice on the main road, plus plenty of pubs with beer gardens close to the beach.
Shopping		A couple of beach-type shops but their stock was pretty shabby and definitely over priced.

reviewed by The rightbeach Team