Seven Sisters Walk: Map, Tips & The Best Route

The white cliffs of the Seven Sisters are more than just an iconic view — they offer one of the best coastal walks in England. This guide covers our favourite walking route that captures the most stunning viewpoints and ends at a classic country pub.

The Seven Sisters cliffs ripple along the coast of the South Downs, forming one of the most recognisable landscapes in the UK.

With white cliffs plunging into the sea, framed by rolling farmland and wide coastal skies, it’s no wonder this is one of England’s top natural highlights.

While the traditional Seaford to Eastbourne hiking route is the most popular, we’ve mapped out an alternate that captures the best sections, skips the tedious trudge through Eastbourne, and finishes in a charming village with a welcoming pub.

We’ve also included tips on public transport, where to stay, and how to make this a smooth and scenic day trip from London.

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS WALK: OUR RECOMMENDED ROUTE

Many of the best sections of the Seven Sisters can be seen by taking short walks from the car, which you can read about in our guide to the Seven Sisters Cliffs.

But our favourite way to explore the area is to walk the length of the cliffs.

There are several routes. The most popular is from Seaford to Eastbourne. But this route includes a long section getting through the outskirts of Eastbourne, which is not that interesting.

Instead, we highly recommend walking from Seaford to East Dean. This still includes the most scenic stretches of coastline but diverts through rolling farmland to finish in a charming local village with a great pub on the edge of a pretty village green.

As Seaford to Eastbourne is the most popular way to do the Seven Sisters hike, we’ve included instructions for both routes.

ROUTE OVERVIEWS

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HOW TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD

We recommend starting the Seven Sisters walk from Seaford Esplanade and walking eastward for two reasons. Firstly, the views are better in this direction, and secondly, if you choose the East Dean option, you finish at a great country pub.

BY CAR

If you have a car, Seaford is a 2 – 2.5-hour drive from London and around 30 minutes from Brighton. Parking is available at the Seaford Esplanade, where this hike begins. The car park is open 24 hours a day and is free of charge for up to 12 hours.  

BY TRAIN & BUS

If you are travelling by public transport, get the train from London Victoria Train Station to Seaford Train Station. The journey requires one change in either Lewes or Brighton. and takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

However, some services are slower, so check the times before you book. It’s a 10-minute walk from Seaford train station to the Seaford Esplanade car park to start the hike.

You can also take the train from London Victoria to Brighton Train Station, which has more services, then catch the 12, 12X or 12A bus to Seaford.

Get off at the Seaford Library stop (marked on the map below) and take the 10-minute walk down to the Seaford Esplanade to start the hike.

SEVEN SISTERS WALK MAP

The Seven Sisters Cliffs walk mainly follows the coast, so navigation is not very tricky. However, a map is always handy, and below is a Google Map of the two routes.

The red line shows the walk from Seaford Esplanade to Beachy Head. The orange line shows the route you should take if you want to end in Eastbourne. The purple line is our recommended route that ends in East Dean.

We have also included the bus stops, food or drink options and the start and finishing points.

For a more detailed route map, we have also created OS Maps:

• OS Map – Seaford to Eastbourne route
• OS Maps – Seaford to East Dean route

WALK DETAILS

START: SEAFORD ESPLANADE

From the eastern end of the esplanade in Seaford, follow the well-marked path that climbs around 50 meters to the summit of the glistening chalk facades.

From this point, the Seven Sisters trail enters the South Downs National Park. Continue along the coastline, passing the perfectly positioned golf course.

STEP 1: CONTINUE TO CUCKMERE HAVEN COTTAGES

Follow the undulating path over the cliff tops towards the coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven.

After enjoying this photogenic spot, drop down to the Seven Sisters beach at the Cuckmere River just behind the cottages.

Explore the tidal rock pools and examine the chalk cliffs from below – but don’t get too close in case of falling debris.

STEP 2: CROSSING THE CUCKMERE RIVER

To continue along the cliffs, you need to cross the Cuckmere River, which cuts through the beach. At low tide, the river can be crossed by wading barefoot over the shallow stream or by using a pair of parallel logs lying across the mouth.

At high tide, you will need to walk up the river to the Cuckmere Inn (away from the sea), cross over a bridge and then head back down the other side to the beach.

The distances and time on this walk assume you will have to walk up to the Cuckmere Inn and back. But if you are able to cross the river it shaves 50 minutes and almost 2 miles off the walk.

Cuckmere River Tide Times – Here are the Cuckemere River Tide Times.

STEP 3: CUCKMERE TO BEACHY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

On the other side of the river, climb back up to the South Downs Way Trail and count the Seven Sisters as the trail rises and falls over undulating grassy banks.

There is a National Trust café in Birling Gap with public toilets and a small beach where you can take a swim.

From Birling Gap, continue up past the Belle Tout Lighthouse and drop down the other side until views of the red and white Beachy Head lighthouse appear.

Continue on to Beachy Head to collect some photographs of this iconic sight.

FINISH: EASTDEAN OR EASTBOURNE

At the Beachy Head Lighthouse, you have the option to take our recommended route and finish at East Dean or continue to Eastbourne.

OPTION 1 – FINISH AT EAST DEAN (RECOMMENDED)

After walking up to the lighthouse, return the way you came for a short distance and take the path inland to the village of East Dean (see map above).

This shorter route ambles through sheep-strewn fields and ends in the charming village where you can stop for a pint at the Tiger Inn. Although it leaves the coast, it’s a lovely part of the walk; much nicer than continuing into Eastbourne in our opinion.

OPTION 2 – FINISH AT EASTBOURNE

To finish at Eastbourne, continue along the coastal path.

This is the option that most people take. However, after Beachy Head, the views start to get less good. It also involves a tedious slog through the outer suburbs of Eastbourne to the bus stop or train station at the modern shopping centre.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOW TO RETURN FROM THE WALK?

As this is not a circular walk, you’ll need to get public transport back to your car or to continue home. Here’s how to return from the walk.

IF YOU FINISH AT EAST DEAN

If you end the walk at East Dean (which we recommend), there is a bus stop on the main road just a short walk from the Tiger Inn pub.

We have marked the location on the map. From here you can catch the 12, 12A or 12X buses to Eastbourne, Brighton or back to Seaford. The buses run roughly every 20 minutes.

IF YOU FINISH AT EASTBOURNE

If you end at Eastbourne, you can get a train back to London from Eastbourne Train Station. There is a direct train to London Victoria which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, catch the 12, 12A or 12X bus back to Seaford or Brighton.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Seven Sisters hike is long and hilly making it a slightly demanding hike.

However, there is nothing particularly challenging on the walk, so if you are a regular hiker, you’ll find the walk reasonably easy.

If you are new to hill walking, the Seven Sisters hike will be an excellent challenge. It’s long and tiring, but with plenty of scenic places to take a break, it’s achievable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

The trail is easy to follow as it mainly sticks to the edge of the cliff. You also have all our maps to help you find your way.

Please note: The cliffs at Seven Sisters are very prone to erosion so stay well clear of the edge.

WHEN TO DO THE SEVEN SISTERS WALK?

If the sun is out and the wind is not blowing a gale, any time of year is a great time to do the Seven Sisters walk.

It’s a straightforward walk that can be done in most weather depending on your tolerance for getting wet.

May to mid-July is the optimal walking season in the UK when temperatures start to rise before the summer crowds descend. During this time, the days are long, flowers will punctuate the rolling green grass hills and lambs will be dotted across the fields.

If you want to swim, the water will be slightly warmer in August and September.

STOPS & FACILITIES ON THE SEVEN SISTERS WALK

The Seven Sisters Walk has plenty of grassy locations overlooking the sea that are perfect for a picnic. But, if you want a cafe or pub along the way, or at the end, here’s what is on offer.

CUCKMERE INN

If you’re doing the walk at high tide and not able to cross the Cuckmere River, you’ll need to walk up past the Cuckmere Inn to go around it. They have a nice deck overlooking the river which is the perfect place for a beer.

BIRLING GAP CAFE

The National Trust café at Birling Gap makes a great stop if you need a bit of a sugar hit on the walk. There are toilets in the car park.

EAST DEAN

In the village of East Dean where we finish the walk, you can enjoy a pint at the Tiger Inn which has a wide selection of ales and a fantastic beer garden. The Hiker’s Rest café next door does coffee, cakes, sandwiches and quiches.

EASTBOURNE

Eastbourne is a large town. There are plenty of fast food options, cafes, restaurants and town pubs where you can wait for your train or bus.

WHERE TO STAY AT SEVEN SISTERS

The Seven Sisters walk can easily be done on a day trip from London. However, there are more appealing ways to wind down after the walk than commuting home. Here are some great places to stay.

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