In 1944 Lord Balfour Burleigh said, “London is a splendid place to live in for those who can get out of it.” If you look just an hour or two further afield from London, you’ll find an abundance of activities that’ll make you love London even more like the Seven Sisters coastal walk. What a dream to get to live in London and also have easy access to all these activities and places!
GETTING TO SEVEN SISTERS
The Seven Sisters is one such place. It is the name given to the magnificent series of white chalk cliffs that line the coast of the Sussex South Downs, directly south of London. With grass as pristine as the green of a golf course, and endless sea views, this is a walk that must be on your to-do list (your REAL to-do list, not just your ‘it’s a nice idea’ to-do list).
Trains run 2-4 times per hour (depending on the weekday) from London (Victoria) to Lewes where you will have to change to get to Seaford. I suggest purchasing a return ticket from London to Lewes, a single from Lewes to Seaford, and a single from Eastbourne back to Lewes (to complete your round trip).
WALKING SEVEN SISTERS
The walk begins from Seaford, a small seaside town with a long esplanade and pebbly beach. After walking the length of the esplanade, past colourful beach huts and a popular ice-cream shack, you’ll steadily begin to climb the grassy mounds that make up the cliffs or ‘sisters’ as they’re called. The next 22km are a steady rise and fall of soft green grass, rural views rolling out toward the left, and an endless blue ocean stretching to the right.
There is no way of getting lost as you simply need to follow your nose and the well trodden path before you. The occasional section is cordoned off for safety, but for the most part the cliffs are left bare and beautiful – be careful not to get too close to the edge!
Just over a quarter of the way a river slices through the cliffs to meet the sea – to cross it you’ll have to divert inland to cross the bridge (alternatively at low tide you may be able to wade across!). It’s just a little detour up the river to The Cuckmere Inn where you can rehydrate if need be!
Birling Gap marks the halfway point where a cafe and gift shop cater to walkers and bus-takers alike. Due to car/bus access at this point, things do get a little busier from here on in. Couples with picnics dot the hills after Birling Gap, as do selfie-stick-clad tour bus takers. I suggest moving past this point as swiftly as possible.
TAKE A DETOUR
Not wanting to get caught up with too many sightseers we briefly braved the crowds to purchase an ice-cream tub from the shop and trekked on, stopping someway away to bask in the sunshine and devour our ice creams. Perhaps we were delusional from walking but these ice-creams really were some of the best we’d ever tasted! Locally made and delicious ‘Caroline’s Dairy’ ice creams from West Sussex. I’m talking honey and ginger, lemon meringue, toffee and honeycomb. A serious highlight.
Walk on, soak up the sunshine and revel in the views. If you’re like me, you’ll find it hard to believe you are only an hour or so from the bustle of London. Occasionally we stopped to pick blackberries, whenever an abundant bush presented itself, otherwise we walked, feeling lucky to have a sunny, summery day and a light breeze at our backs. Sail boats bobbed on the horizon with a summery soundtrack of squawking seagulls, the song of cicadas and distant laughter of fellow walkers.
BELLE TOUT LIGHTHOUSE
One big climb and you’ll reach Beachy Head and the Belle Tout Lighthouse. Built in 1832, this lighthouse once served as a navigational aid, however today it serves as a bed and breakfast and popular film location. You’ll reach the Beachy Head Lighthouse next, a red and white striped tower out at sea. If this isn’t the picture perfect lighthouse you remember from children’s books, then I’m not sure what is!
EASTBOURNE
From here the walk steeply winds down into Eastbourne. After a long day of walking, this last section through Eastbourne feels like it takes forever. Now find a cute pub, rest your weary legs, sip a refreshing pint and bask in that warm glowing feeling of ‘I’m utterly exhausted but deeply content with my day’.
NOTES
- Pack plenty of snacks and water. Nothing is worse than having to keep hunger at bay while conquering cliff.
- Pack enough clothes for the time of year/weather forecast.
- From what I’ve read and heard the walk is better done from west to east (Seaford-Eastbourne) as the hills are gentler and views more impressive from this angle. However if it were a windy day, I would consider walking downwind – whichever way that is- for a nicer experience.
Have you ever visited the Seven Sisters? Please share your experience with our readers in the comments below. Read Next > 5 Hidden Gems to See in London
By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Pippa Marffy of WanderPip.com
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Tessa says
I absolutely agree! This is truly a wonderful hike and the views are stunning. I went myself this spring. Took the Coaster 12 bus from Brighton (sometimes easier to make connections) to Eastbourne. During summer the Coaster 13X goes all the way out to Beachy Head, but for the rest of the year the Coaster 12 or 12x is the one to take. Just after going through the town of Seaford , I got off at the Chyngton Way bus stop and walked down this lovely road and up to the South Hill Barn car park. From here you can see the channel and it’s a lovely walk downhill where you’ll see the Seven Sisters cliffs and the coastguard cottages in front of you. Highly recommend, it’s worth it in any weather but on a gorgeous sunny day, it’s breathtaking. Thanks for posting!
Zhanna says
Amazing place! I have never seen such a steep cliff before. This place should find its way on everybody’s bucket list.
We Are Travel Girls says
Its certainly on mine! Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Natalia says
I lived in London for three years and never even knew this existed! Definitely on my list when I return!
We Are Travel Girls says
Amazing! So pleased that we helped you to find a new destination in this great article from Pippa! Thanks for reading and commenting. Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Tilly Horseman says
Your photos are amazing! I’m a long way from the south coast as I’m based in the north west of England but it’s on my list for sometime soon. I’d love to do this walk! Your photos have brought it back to the forefront of my mind!
Anonymous says
Looking forward to hiking there 2 days from now. I’m a flight attendant and have heard alot about this adventure from my colleagues. Looking forward to getting our 10,000 plus steps with a view! Thanks for the tips!
Mallory says
My husband and I are planning on staying in London and are interested in going to the Seven Sisters! How long would you recommend planning to stay there for if we want to walk across, visit shops, and just enjoy the views/not be super rushed? We won’t be in London long, so I am wondering if we would have enough time to drive there after we land at the Heathrow airport Sunday around 9am (we’ll have to go through customs and get a rental car before leaving the airport), or if we should plan to go on a different day we are there. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Patricia says
Beautiful pictures! Can you tell me how long does the hike will take? Weather in November?
Izn Iqbal says
Hi. Your post is amazing! Is it a good idea to go see the seven sisters in Jan? Please let me know
Shanti says
This was great, thank you – informative, to the point, and picturesque! I’m excited to visit tomorrow.
Do you know if there is a non-pebbly beach in Seaford/Eastbourne? In some photos it looks like soft sand and in some it looks pebbly…