The Seven Sisters cliffs are one of the most dramatic sights in England. But getting the best views without hiking miles is tricky. Here’s how to visit the highlights without too much effort.
By - Paul Healy | Published - 23 Aug 2024 | Go to - Comments & Questions
The Seven Sisters cliffs are the most dramatic white cliffs in England. Stretching along the south coast, these sheer chalk cliffs soar up to 500 feet into the air.
Their picturesque tops are covered in sweeping green grass dotted with cows and sheep. Below, the pounding waves of the English Channel beat their fragile base.
It’s a magical place and one of our favourite day trips from London.
The best way to see the cliffs is to undertake the Seven Sisters Cliffs walk. It’s one of the best country walks near London, but at over 10 miles and taking at least 5 hours it is not for everyone.
Fortunately, the most stunning views, iconic lighthouses, picturesque cottages and tastiest pub food can all be seen without too much walking.
In this guide we cover the main attractions and best viewpoints of the Seven Sisters Country Park.
All of them can be reached from nearby parking lots or bus stops which we explain below.
SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS MAP
We have marked all the highlights of the Seven Sisters cliffs on the below map. We have included the closest places to park, the bus stops and walking routes where minimal walking is required.
How to use our maps // Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account. Â
1. BIRLING GAP
The Seven Sisters Cliffs is the name given to the undulating row of 7 chalk cliffs that stretch from Cuckmere Haven to Birling Gap. This is the most dramatic and picturesque section of the Seven Sisters Country Park.
There are two great locations near Birling Gap where you can take in the stunning scenery.
Firstly, walk westwards along the cliff tops. The path rises, but after about ten minutes it slopes back down and reveals magnificent views across the Seven Sisters cliffs.
Take your time soaking up the waves of white cliffs topped with a carpet of lush green grass undulating above them.
Secondly, head down the steps from the car park to Birling Gap beach. As the tide retreats, you can wander across the sands and stare at the cliffs towering behind as they stretch along the coast.
HOW TO GET TO BIRLING GAP
By Car – The most easily accessible views of the Seven Sisters are from Birling Gap. Park at the National Trust pay and display car park. Walk westwards along the cliff tops and then head back to the car park and down the steps onto the beach.
By Public Transport – The 13X Coaster bus runs between Brighton and Eastbourne stopping at Birling Gap. It’s only once every couple of hours so check the times. The 12, 12X a 12A also run between Brighton and Eastbourne but stick to the main road. Get off at East Dean and it’s a 1.2 mile (25 minute walk) to Birling Gap.
Facilities – There’s a cafe and toilets at the car park.
2. BELLE TOUT LIGHTHOUSE
The Belle Tout Lighthouse was built in 1832 but was heavily damaged during the war.
After a refurbishment in the 1950s, it was purchased by the BBC who used it in several television programmes. It also featured in the James Bond movie, The Living Daylights.
The lighthouse is in a commanding location on top of the cliffs. However, the views looking up to the lighthouse are better than the views from the lighthouse. If you want to save your legs, this may be worth skipping.
HOW TO GET THERE?
By Car – The closest car park to the Belle Tout Lighthouse is on the Beachy Head Road (see map above). It takes 5 minutes of uphill walking to reach the lighthouse from the car park.
By Public Transport – The 13X Coaster also stops at the car park on Beachy Head Road.
Alternatively, it’s a 15-minute walk from Birling Gap Car Park.
Stay – It’s possible to stay in the Belle Tout Lighthouse in one of the nautical-inspired rooms.
3. BEACHY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
The Beachy Head lighthouse, with its bold red and white livery, cuts a striking scene against the azure water of the English Channel and the bright cliff faces.
It’s an iconic image that flickers in and out of sight when you are hiking the Seven Sisters Walk.
But you can get a great view of the lighthouse with hardly any effort at all.
HOW TO GET THERE?
By Car – Park at Shooters Bottom Car Park, which is marked on our map above.
By Public Transport – Take the 13X Coaster from Brighton and get off at Hodcombe Farm right next to the parking lot.
It’s a 5-minute walk from the car park to the cliffs above the lighthouse.
4. COASTGUARD COTTAGES & CUCKMERE HAVEN
The Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven are one of the most iconic views of England. They have appeared on postage stamps, several Hollywood movies and fashion shoots. It’s regularly mentioned as one of the best views in Britain.
Overlooking the Cuckmere River, as it meets the English Channel, the Coastguard Cottages provide the perfect foreground for photographing the Seven Sisters cliffs.
The famous photo spot is on the path just above the cottages. You’ll get an excellent view of the cliffs perfectly compressed behind the buildings.
We highly recommend making the effort to get here.
If you head down onto the beach (and at low tide) and cross over the river you can stare up at the Seven Sisters cliffs from below. However, don’t get too close. The cliffs retreat around 30 centimetres each year and large chunks are prone to falling off.
HOW TO GET TO THE COASTGUARD COTTAGES?
By Car – The nearest car park to the Coastguard Cottages is South Hill Barn Car Park which is marked on our map above. From the car park, it’s a 15-minute walk to the mouth of the Cuckmere River where the cottages are located.
By Public Transport – Catch the 12, 12X or 12A buses to the Seven Sisters Car Park in Exceat on Eastbourne Road (A259). The cottages are a 30-minute walk along the meandering river before it meets the Channel. (You could also drive to the Seven Sisters Car Park).
You can walk either side of the river but unless it’s low tide you won’t be able to cross it when you get to the beach.
If you want to photograph the cottages take the west bank starting at the Cuckmere Inn. If you want to stare up at the cliffs take the east bank.
5. EAST DEAN
If you are planning a day trip to Seven Sisters, the options for food along the coast are not great. There’s the cafe at Birling Gap and that’s about it. So it’s well worth making the effort to go to East Dean.
This charming village has a local brewery (Beachy Head Brewery), a great hiker’s cafe, and the atmospheric Tiger Inn Pub.
Explore the pretty cottages in the village, then order a pint to wash down a traditional English pub meal. Grab a table on the large grassy beer garden out front and you’ll be in for a very British experience.
HOW TO GET THERE?
By Car – Park in the East Dean Village Car Park, just a few minutes walk from the pub.
By Public Transport – Take the 12, 12A or 12X bus to East Dean bus station which is also just a few minutes walk from the pub.
HOW TO GET TO THE SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK
The Seven Sisters Cliffs are on the south coast between Seaford and Eastbourne.
BY CAR
Car is by far the easiest way to explore the highlights of the Seven Sisters Cliffs. The car parks covered in this guide are all close to each other and it only takes about 20 minutes to make your way between them.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport is great for completing the Seven Sisters walk, but it’s less convenient for picking off the highlights.
It can be done, it just requires a bit more walking or careful timing.
Take the train to Brighton or Eastbourne. From either town you can take the 12, 12X and 12A buses which are fairly regular. You can also use the less regular 13X Coaster.
The 12, 12X & 12A will take you to the Seven Sisters Car Park at Exceat for the Coastguard Cottages and East Dean for the pub. You can also get to Birling Gap via the 12 buses, but you will have to get off at East Dean and walk 1.2 miles (25 minutes) to Birling Gap.
Alternatively, you can take the 13X Coaster which goes all the way to Birling Gap and Beachy Head, however, it only runs once every couple of hours.
BY ORGANISED TOUR
If you would like to visit on an organised day trip from London to the South Downs, we recommend this tour, which includes the train trip from London to Brighton.
It collects some great sights in the area via minibus and includes a short, easy stroll along some of the best viewpoints.
SEVEN SISTERS DAY TRIP ITINERARY (BY CAR)
If you are planning to spend a day exploring the Seven Sisters Cliffs and you’ve travelled by car, here are our suggestions:
- Park at South Hill Barn Car Park, stroll down to Coastguard Cottages and explore Cuckmere Haven
- For lunch, have a picnic on the cliffs, or go to the cafe at Birling Gap.
- Spend the afternoon at Birling Gap, head onto the cliffs and down onto the beach.
- Drive to Shooters Bottom Car Park and take in the views of Beachy Head.
- Finally, head to East Dean and have a late afternoon pint or evening meal.
Birling Gap is best visited at low tide when you can walk on the beach. The views over the Coastguard Cottages are best at high tide when the sea is covering the shingle beaches.
Check the tides and maybe swap the morning and afternoon around.
EXTENDING YOUR DAY TRIP
The Seven Sisters are a great day trip from London. But there is plenty more to do in the area if you want to stay over.
- Explore the Victorian seaside resort of Brighton.
- Visit the charming village of Alfriston.
- Go to the Long Man Brewery & Tasting Rooms at Litlington.
- Try the local wines at Rathfinny Winery.
- See the very strange Long Man of Wilmington etched into the grass.
- If you have a car, medieval Rye is just over 1-hour from Seaford.
WHERE TO STAY?
If you decide to stay over, here are some hotel recommendations in the area. We also have some suggestions on our Brighton Guide if you want to base yourself there.
- The Catherine Tiger Inn is an authentic, good-value stay in East Dean.
- Wingrove House in Alfriston is set in a beautiful country house with a lovely riverside location.
- Saltmarsh Farmhouse is a luxury option with food inspired by the forest and the ocean.
- Flint Barns is a wonderful rural stay on a 600-acre wine estate.
MORE DAY TRIPS
- Pick from one of our 20 curated day trips from London.
- See the achievable highlights on our 1-day Cambridge itinerary.
- Enjoy a medieval weekend break with our Rye day trip.
- Hit the beach on a relaxing day out in Brighton.
- Explore the rich history on our Canterbury day trip from London.
- Scoff the freshest oysters with our Whitstable day trip.
- Enjoy the regal side of life with our Bath day trip itinerary.
- Pick from one of our 10 Cotswolds day trip ideas.
- Hike the white cliffs on our Seven Sisters day trip.
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- Paul & Mark.
