An Amazing Day Trip To The Seven Sisters
There seven sisters cliffs is no shortage of fun things to do in London but every now and again it’s nice to escape the city for the day. Thanks to its location, there are lots of great day trips from London which are less than 2 hours away. One such place is the Seven Sisters Country Park. I’d wanted to do a day trip to the Seven Sisters ever since I saw photos of the dramatic white chalk cliffs.
I finally managed to go in February this year and hiked the 22 km trail over the 7 famous English cliffs from Seaford to Eastbourne. The hike was challenging in places but the scenery was spectacular.
If you haven’t already been, then a day trip to the Seven Sisters should definitely be on your bucket list. In this post you’ll find all the information you need to help you plan your own day trip to the Seven Sisters.
A DAY TRIP TO THE SEVEN SISTERS
The Seven Sisters are a series of dramatic chalk cliffs which overlook the English Channel. The trail from Seaford to Eastbourne is one of the prettiest coastal walks in England. As the name suggests, there are seven hills (‘sisters’) as well as a few smaller hills on each side of the Sisters.
The views are incredible as you ascend and descend over each hill. It is a long hike and can be demanding in places if you haven’t done a lot of hill walking in the past. The full walk is just over 13 miles long; however, there are a few shorter walks you can do instead. I’ve listed these options out later in the article along with places to stop and eat.
You’ll find all the information you need to help you plan your own day trip to the Seven Sisters at the end of this article. This includes how to get there, safety information, and a map of the route.
HIKING THE SEVEN SISTERS
Seaford to Cuckmere Haven
The walk begins in Seaford, a small seaside town with a pebbly beach and a long promenade lined with colourful huts. Walking from Seaford to Eastbourne is the more popular direction as the views are better and it is quicker to reach the cliffs.
From the station, head to the seafront and walk along the promenade until you reach the grassy mounds of the cliffs. Over the next 22 km you’ll climb up and down the ‘Sisters’. The views from the cliffs are spectacular; the lush green countryside is on your left and the blue waters of the English Channel are on your right.
After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Cuckmere Haven Beach. The path descends down to the beach and on the way you’ll pass the iconic Coastguard Cottages. The backdrop of the dramatic white chalk cliffs has made this one of the most photographed views in the UK.
The cottages were built in the 1820s for the coastguards who were stationed there to stop smugglers. They have been featured in several films, including Atonement with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. This is where their characters dreamed of living after the war and is where they filmed the final scene.
Cuckmere Haven to Birling Gap
At low tide you may be able to walk across the shallower parts on the beach to the cliffs on the other side. However, you will most likely have to walk inland through the grasslands to The Cuckmere Inn. It is a bit of a diversion but it is a lovely walk along the meandering river and the oxbow lakes.
Cross over the bridge and walk back down the other side of the river towards the grassy cliffs. As you climb up on to the South Downs Way, don’t forget to look back for a beautiful view of Cuckmere Haven.
After about 50 minutes you will reach Birling Gap. Here you’ll find a cafe and the National Trust information centre. A lot of visitors park here and do a shorter version of the walk so you will find it is a busy stretch. As you climb back up the cliffs you may see some wild ponies grazing on the grass if you are lucky.
