The Seven Sisters walk is one of the most famous walks in the south of England, and also one of the most beautiful. Stretching along the stunning chalk coastline of the South Downs National Park, there are several iconic locations along the way; whether you complete the Seven Sisters walk all in one go or broken up into bitesize pieces, hiking through this landscape is breathtaking.
(Breathtaking physically as well as metaphorically. The views are stunning. The up-and-down hills can also cause slight breathlessness. FYI.)
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What is the Seven Sisters walk?
The Seven Sisters Cliffs are seven white cliffs all in a row on the south east coast of England. (Not to be confused with the White Cliffs of Dover, or the Seven Sisters Waterfall in Geiranger. Two equally beautiful but entirely different locations.)
Running along the edge of the South Downs National Park in East Sussex, these beautiful chalk cliffs have been featured time and time again in film and TV (see them in Atonement and Hope Gap, to name just a couple). The pathway along the cliffs is perhaps one of Englands most picturesque walks.
The Seven Sisters walk is about 14 miles in total, although all the points en route are also easily accessible by car- so I’ve included any handy tidbits of parking info just in case! The walk is relatively easy, although there are some rolling hills to contend with once you reach the clifftop section.
That’s where the breathtaking aspect comes in.
How to get to the Seven Sisters walk
The Seven Sisters walk is on the south east coast of England, in East Sussex. You can either begin the walk at Eastbourne, or in the neighbouring town of Seaford; although in terms of views, it’s probably more epic to begin the walk at Seaford and end with Eastbourne.
Seaford is connected by bus to Brighton– get the number 12 or 12X from Brighton Station to Seaford, which takes just under an hour and costs £3.40 (2023). Find timetables here.
And if you’re heading to the Seven Sisters walk from London, get a train to Lewes, and then change for a train to Seaford. The whole train journey from Victoria Station to Seaford takes around an hour and 25 minutes. Find timetables and tickets here.
Here’s a run down of the Seven Sisters walk, stopping point by stopping point. (And if you don’t fancy a full on Seven Sisters walk, you can drive to these locations as well.)
Hope Gap
If starting from Seaford, just follow the seafront towards Eastbourne/in an easterly direction, and keep on going! The path is well signposted so you can’t miss it. You’ll head through a golf course and onwards along the coast.
Hope Gap is the first point of call on the walk. This is where you can find one of the most iconic views in Sussex- looking from Coastguard Cottages towards the Seven Sisters cliffs. (You’ll almost certainly have spotted it on film or in a TV show before.) Each of the seven cliffs fit perfectly into a backdrop to the pretty little cottages, and whatever the weather, there’s no denying the majestic beauty of this corner of Sussex.
Get to Hope Gap by rambling across the rolling slopes of Seaford Head Nature Reserve, which is strewn with wildflowers and many a wandering sheep. Then access the beach at low tide via a metal staircase from one end of Seaford Head. The scenery here is stunning, especially on a sunny day, and with the jagged rock pools of the seabed revealed it can feel like walking on another planet. This is also a great spot for fossil hunting.
Closest pub to Hope Gap: It’s a little walk inland, but The Cuckmere Inn is the closest pub for a pint and a meal.
Coffee at Hope Gap: Cottons Coffee Bar, at the top of the cliffs at South Hill Barn. There’s also a rickety portaloo here if you’re desperate.
Parking at Hope Gap: Park at South Hill Barn car park on top of the cliffs, where the parking is completely free of charge. Score! From there it’s a 20 minute walk to Hope Gap beach.
Cuckmere Haven
The shingle beach at Cuckmere Haven is perfectly framed by the stark white cliffs rising majestically on either side, and it’s also a great place for a swim.
You can see the mouth of the River Cuckmere from the beach at Hope Gap, although at high tide you’ll have to head slightly inland in order to cross the river. During low tide either paddle across or use some well-placed logs to reach the other side. Be prepared to either get wet, or bring sea shoes and a towel. If you’d rather head up river to cross, it’ll add on about forty minutes to your walk.
The River Cuckmere is tidal, and runs all the way up through the pretty little village of Alfriston. (Which is well worth a visit) Since I’ve lived in Eastbourne, the course of the river has changed on its final meander to the sea, and watching the golden light of a sunset bounce off of this water is nothing short of spectacular. The final stretch of the river’s path through the Cuckmere Valley is surrounded by a flood plain, and the relatively calm water is a great place for stand up paddle boarding. Hire an SUP from Buzz Active.
Closest pub to Cuckmere Haven: The Cuckmere Inn
Coffee at Cuckmere Haven: Saltmarsh Farmhouse serves drinks and food. (Although it also looks like a lovely place to stay, with six gorgeous guest rooms to pick from.)
Parking at Cuckmere Haven: There’s a car park just off the main road- the entrance is by the red telephone box. It can get extremely busy at the height of summer, and you can pay by cash, card, or using the Ringo app.
Birling Gap
Birling Gap is probably my favourite section of beach on the Seven Sisters walk. The beach (like a lot of land within the South Downs National Park), is maintained by the National Trust, and the most striking thing about it is the row of crumbling cottages on the cliff edge.
Eight cottages were built here in 1878 for the coastguard, and although only four remain, they are still inhabited. The cliffs are eroding at such a fast pace that within 40 years or so, the likelihood is that any kind of structure at Birling Gap will be long gone- so treasure these bad boys while they’re here, my friends!
As with Hope Gap, access to the beach is via a metal staircase- although this is sometimes closed due to stormy weather or cliff falls, so it’s worth checking the National Trust website before you visit.
More walks around these parts: Walks Around Eastbourne
Closest pub to Birling Gap: A slight detour to the The Tiger Inn, East Dean. This pub on the village green is one of my favourites in the area, and on a summers day it’s a great place to enjoy a drink and soak in the sunshine. In winter, warm your cockles by the fire or in a cozy nook. You basically can’t go wrong.
Coffee near Birling Gap: Either at the National Trust Cafe at Birling Gap, or head to the nearby village of East Dean and stop in at The Beehive on the Green.
Driving to Birling Gap: Parking at Birling Gap can be crazy (and there is a charge for parking, unless you’re a National Trust member). The car park at Birling Gap itself is fairly small, and on a sunny day the road here can get clogged up with cars all vying for a spot. (Honestly, it’s a shame. This is why public transport is so very great.) There are also little car parks all the way along Beachy Head Road, between Birling Gap and Beachy Head.
Belle Tout Lighthouse
Between Birling Gap and Belle Tout Lighthouse are a series of seriously hilly hills- these are the Seven Sisters themselves that you’re hiking over so it makes sense. It can feel a little like you’re going nowhere slowly, but have faith pals! You’ll get there in the end!
As well as the sheep and cows which roam the hills, keep your eyes peeled for Dartmoor ponies grazing.
The Belle Tout Lighthouse is an boxy little grey lighthouse on a cliff edge, which was built in 1829. Although it was decommissioned long ago (and moved back from the cliffs to avoid the same fate as the coastguard cottages), this is still a well-known landmark. And although the light no longer swirls from the lantern room, this lovely little building is still very much in use. These days the Belle Tout is a unique B&B, where visitors can stay in beautifully decorated rooms (including the Keeper’s Loft) or relax and enjoy the stunning 360º views of the cliffs and countryside from the lantern room.
On this section of the Seven Sisters walk, be extra cautious. The path can run extremely close to the cliff edge, which can crumble unexpectedly at any moment. I hiked this pathway two days in a row, and on the second day an entire section of the path had vanished into the sea overnight.
Closet pub to Belle Tout: Further up at Beachy Head
Coffee at Belle Tout: Get one to go from the National Trust cafe!
Driving to Belle Tout: Park in one of the lay-by car parks on Beachy Head Road, or at Birling Gap.
Beachy Head Lighthouse
The iconic Beachy Head Lighthouse is possibly the most recognisable point along the Seven Sisters walk. The red and white striped lighthouse is in the sea below the cliffs, although it’s visible from certain points along the path. The easiest (and least dangerous) way to see the lighthouse is from the path from Belle Tout along the cliffs, however plenty of people have a peer over the edge to get a closer look.
Just beware! It can get super windy at the top of Beachy Head, and many people have been taken by surprise and been swept off of a cliff as they pose too close. Cliff-erosion is also a very real occurrence all along the Seven Sisters, and it’s at Beachy Head in particular that people can get a little too daring ,and edge a little too close.
Closest pub to Beachy Head: The Beachy Head Pub, right next to the cliffs by the lighthouse. The view from here is absolutely incredible- get a seat by a window looking towards Belle Tout and Birling Gap, especially if you’re there at sunset.
Coffee at Beachy Head: Cadence Coffee, which has almost as good a view as the pub. The coffee here is great, and I highly recommend a date and orange slice to accompany.
Parking at Beachy Head: Theres plenty of parking next to Beachy Head Pub, or in one of the lay-by car parks on Beachy Head Road.
Eastbourne
Once you leave the vicinity of Beachy Head, get to Eastbourne by passing the RAF memorial on the cliffs and heading down into a little valley. You’ll get your first glimpse of the seaside resort, with its golden-domed pier jutting out into the English Channel.
Keep your eyes peeled on this final stretch for birds of prey, foxes and weasels scampering around, and then head downwards to the pretty little beach at Holywell. There’s a natural spring coming out of the cliffs here which locals have been transforming into a well for the last few months.
Unlike the nearby city of Brighton, the pace of life in Eastbourne remains fairly relaxed and the promenade has retained its jolly-holiday-by-the-sea vibe. Grab yourself an ice cream or fish and chips to enjoy on the beach, and give yourself a pat on the back for getting to the end of the Seven Sisters walk, you clever old thing!
Check out this post to find the best fish and chips and ice cream spots in Eastbourne.
Coffee in Eastbourne: Straight off of the Seven Sisters walk, get on down to the Holywell Tea Chalet. Otherwise, head in to Nelson Coffee Co. in town.
Closest pub to the end of the Seven Sisters walk: The Pilot Inn in Meads is right at the foot of the South Downs, and has an amazing menu to select from. If you want somewhere closer to Eastbourne town centre, head to The Stage Door on Compton Street.
More in this area:
The Best Things to Do on a Staycation in Eastbourne
Five Things to See on a Daytrip to Brighton
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Great guide! I’ve been walking a lot in Wales this last week & the South Coast of England is next in my sights so this guide is invaluable. I particularly like the pubs, cafe & parking info (I.e. toilets as well as practicalities & refreshments ;)). Thank you – I’ll come back here when I start planning my approach.
I’ve heard so many positive things about this area of Sussex, and your photos are stunning! It’s somewhere I would like to go walking at some point this summer so thanks for the tips!
The pictures are incredibly beautiful. You are making me feel like going here right now. Loved your post.
A great detailed guide. It looks like a beautiful area to walk in nature.
Wow, what an incredible looking walk. I really love the white cliffs and how they look in your photos – just beautiful. Definitely going to have to check this out if I visit East Sussex again, it’s been years since I was in the area
It is great to come across these posts with more secluded areas in England that Americans usually don’t hear about. Great post, thank you.
Great guide! I’ve actually not done this walk and I used to live in Sussex for a few years! Terrible. I’ve been to Beachy Head but I’ve always wanted to get the iconic views. Will definitely have to head here next time I’m in the area now that I know everywhere I should go.