GETAWAYS
A grown-up , laid-back , seaside escape at The Gallivant , Camber
We all have them : certain aromas , tastes , or places that stir up the fondest childhood memories , and one such place for me is Camber . Located just five minutes away from the quaint town of Rye , this East Sussex coastal bolthole is a typical ‘ English seaside ’ resort , famed for its dunes and miles of award-winning sandy beach , and was , for me , the destination of many a bucket ‘ n ’ spade childhood holiday . BY SAMANTHA G
It ’ s fair to say that the allure of sand-filled sandwiches and a melting ‘ 99 ’ ice cream aren ’ t quite what they used to be . So , it was with sheer delight that I had the chance to revisit my youth while maintaining the holiday standards to which I ’ ve now become accustomed as a guest at The Gallivant .
Preferring the adage ‘ restaurant with rooms ’, The Gallivant is primely situated opposite Camber ’ s famous sand dunes and provides just the right mix of laid-back seaside charm with contemporary style and sophistication - think of the most glamorous , yet cosy beach hut and you ’ re halfway there !
Checking into our newly refurbished Garden Room , my guest and I were immediately drawn in by the whitewashed oak floors , floor-toceiling pale green cupboards and headboardcum-bookcase showcasing an array of handpicked books , all of which aid the ‘ kick off your shoes and relax ’ vibe . There are little seaside touches : the model boat above the cistern , the ‘ gone fishing ’ do not disturb sign , and the pulley key fob , but basic beach hut this is not . The sleek rollaway sliding door reveals a roll-top bath , which can either be made part of the bedroom space or hidden away into the sleek marble bathroom , a room that also boasts mood lighting and an amazing shower . Welcome touches such as the Nespresso machine , mini bar of ( too ) tempting snacks , the bluetooth Ruark system , and the flat screen TV and DVD player ( for which you can borrow films from a bursting DVD library ) combine to create a sumptuous seaside haven .
While it was tempting just to move in and never leave , we had heard the words “ afternoon tea ” upon check in and needed no prompting to join the other guests in the lounge for the
complimentary tea , coffee and cake served each afternoon . After my second ( okay , third !) slice of orange cream gateaux , my guest and I decided a much needed evening stroll was in order to work up an appetite for dinner .
As I said before , The Gallivant is a restaurant with rooms and the restaurant here is a destination in its own right . The dining room is spacious and airy , yet comfortable and secluded ; having only 45 covers makes it intimate , but the atmospheric buzz is welcoming and relaxed .
Part of The Gallivant ’ s core ethos is ‘ fresh and local ’, and head chef , Oliver Joyce and his team have embraced this so much that 95 percent of all the fresh ingredients are sourced or foraged within just 10 miles .
We were certainly in for a treat …
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