Seven Sisters and Beachy Head

Join Nelly and start the New Year with a chilly coastal cliff top walk.

This is a challenging but rewarding walk that is sure to take your breath away. The views from the cliffs are simply stunning, and there are a number of interesting things to see and do along the way. I would recommend this walk to anyone who is looking for a challenging and rewarding hike.

Here are some additional tips for completing this walk:

• Make sure you are well-prepared for the weather. The weather on the cliffs can be unpredictable, so it is important to pack for all types of weather.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will be doing a lot of walking, so it is important to be comfortable.
• Bring plenty of food and water. There are no shops or cafes on the route, so you will need to be self-sufficient.
• Be aware of the dangers of cliff walking. The cliffs can be dangerous, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take care.

The Route

This is a linear walk along starting from Eastbourne with a Bus ride to Westdean and The Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre.

We will then head down along the river on foot to Cuckmere Haven, watch out for a variety of birds. The steep climb then takes us along the South Downs Way following the cliffs of the Seven Sisters.  

Climbing a number of hills, brows, and descending into a number of 'Bottoms' including Rough Bottom, Flaghill Bottom and Shooters Bottom. There are plenty of ups and downs. 

There is a chance to get down onto the beach at Birling Gap where you can see the white cliffs from the beach.

The stunning views of the red and white lighthouse at Beachy Head will provide stunning views both east and west. 

The final leg down into Eastbourne and along the promenade past the bandstand with views of the pier in the distance.  The walk will finish in the town centre and we can finish with a drink in one of the local pubs.

Terrain - Hilly with gravel tracks and grass underfoot.

Distance - Just under 10 miles

Ascent - 1509 ft

The Seven Sisters

A series of chalk sea cliffs on the English Channel coast. They are located in the county of East Sussex, between the towns of Seaford and Eastbourne.

The cliffs are made of chalk, which is a soft, white rock that is easily eroded. This means that the cliffs are constantly changing in shape and size.

A popular tourist destination, and they are also a valuable habitat for wildlife.

The cliffs are home to a number of rare and protected species, including the short-snouted seahorse and the peregrine falcon.

The Seven Sisters are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that they are recognised as being of outstanding cultural or natural importance.

The Seven Sisters are a popular location for filming and television. They have been featured in a number of films and TV shows, including "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and "The Crown".

Beachy Head

The cliff is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, rising to 162 m (531 ft) above sea level. The peak allows views of the south east coast towards Dungeness in the east, and to the Isle of Wight in the west.

The name Beachy Head appears as 'Beauchef' in 1274, becoming 'Beaucheif' by 1317, and it has nothing to do with the word "beach". Instead, it is a corruption of the original French words meaning "beautiful headland" (beau chef). It was being consistently called Beachy Head by 1724. In 1929, Eastbourne Borough Council bought 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) of land surrounding Beachy Head to save it from development at a cost of about £100,000 (equivalent to £6,467,710 in 2021).

Beachy Head is a popular tourist destination which offer stunning views of the English Channel.

Don't waste that space!

With less winter walks please only book if you know you can make it. If your plans change please free up the space for someone else.

Is it dog friendly? 

Dogs are welcome on the walk, but please abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h).

Please also remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

New Members

Please feel free to join this as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions then feel free to message me, or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".

Image / photo credits:  All leader's own images - with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse

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