Seven Sisters Cliffs, Sussex

The Seven Sisters is a series of white chalk cliffs on the East Sussex coast of England, between Seaford and Eastbourne within the South Downs National Park. The cliffs rise above the English Channel in a rolling line of undulating peaks, with Seaford Head at the western end, Cuckmere Haven and its meandering river valley, and Birling Gap and Beachy Head at the east. The chalk faces reach about 77 metres high at Haven Brow and retreat several tens of centimetres each year because of erosion. The England Coast Path follows the clifftop between Seaford and Birling Gap, a walk of about 10 kilometres that takes three to four hours with steep climbs and descents. Shorter options include a gentle stroll along the Cuckmere River from Seven Sisters Country Park to the beach, about three kilometres return. Cuckmere Haven is a favoured photographic location and has appeared in films and music videos. Birling Gap has a National Trust visitor centre, cafe and steps down to a beach where fossils and rock pools appear at low tide. Beachy Head lighthouse and the Beachy Head Countryside Centre lie farther east. Good views come from the viewpoint at Seaford Head, from Haven Brow looking east and west along the sequence of cliffs, and from the beach at low tide, looking up at the chalk faces. Crowds peak on summer weekends, when car parks at Seven Sisters Country Park and Birling Gap fill, and quieter conditions occur on weekday mornings and in spring and autumn. Cliff edges are unfenced and unstable, so keeping back from the edge is essential. Wind is strong and weather changeable, so layers are advisable. Buses from Eastbourne and Brighton serve the area, and Seaford station provides rail access.