Seaford to Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters

About Seaford to Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Take the train to Seaford (about 43 minutes direct from Brighton), climb Seaford Head for the view across the Cuckmere, then walk east over the Seven Sisters to Birling Gap and Beachy Head, and down into Eastbourne for the direct train home (about 40 minutes). It is a long, hilly day: wear boots, carry water, and keep well back from the cliff edges, which are unstable.

Getting there

Direct trains from Brighton to Seaford take about 43 minutes, every half-hour on our test day; from Eastbourne, direct trains back to Brighton take about 40 minutes (National Rail journey planner).

The walk

From Seaford, the path climbs Seaford Head, a Sussex Wildlife Trust reserve with the classic view of the Seven Sisters. It drops to the Cuckmere at Cuckmere Haven, in the Seven Sisters Country Park, then rises and falls over the white cliffs to Birling Gap, past the old Belle Tout lighthouse to Beachy Head and down into Eastbourne.

The Seven Sisters from Seaford Head is one of the great views of England.

Safety

The chalk cliffs are unstable and rock falls happen: keep to the paths, well back from the edge, and away from the foot of the cliffs. Check the tides and the weather before you go.

Shorter options

The Coaster bus along the coast road lets you shorten the walk: check the timetable on the Brighton & Hove Buses site.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Seaford to Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters before you go.