The Seven Sisters Hike: Seaford to Eastbourne

The Seven Sisters hike is one of the most breathtaking coastal walks in England. This iconic hike stretches from Seaford to Eastbourne in East Sussex, following the dramatic white chalk cliffs of the South Downs National Park. Offering panoramic sea views, rugged landscapes, and historic landmarks like Birling Gap and Beachy Head, it’s a must-do for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

I’d had this hike on my UK adventure bucket list for years but wasn’t sure I was fit enough for the challenge.  So, this year, I took the plunge, booked a weekend in Eastbourne, and tried the Seven Sisters walk for myself.  However, there are good transport links to Eastbourne and Brighton, so you could easily do the hike as a day-trip.

It was a demanding walk, but we did it and I’d totally recommend it to anyone who likes hiking.  The views are simply stunning and there’s a good atmosphere amongst walkers.  Here’s our full guide to the Seven Sisters Cliffs walk, with maps, route, transport information, accommodation and top tips for your hike.

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• Route:  Seaford to Eastbourne, East Sussex
• Distance:  Approx 13.1 miles (22km)  (Our route was shorter than this as we crossed the river at Cuckmere Haven)
• Time:  4-5 hours (depending on tides, pace and stops)
• Terrain:  Rolling chalk cliffs, grassland, pebble beaches
• Difficulty:  Moderately challenging (a few steep inclines)
• Best for:  Hikers, nature-lovers, photographers, day-trippers from London

The Seven Sisters Cliffs Walk starts at Seaford, which is on the coast between Eastbourne and Brighton.  Seaford is a coastal town with several shops where you can stock up on snacks and supplies.  Obviously, you could start at the other end in Eastbourne, but you’ll get better views going east.

You could easily do the hike as a day trip from London, Brighton or Eastbourne.  Regular trains run from London Victoria to Lewes, where you can switch to the Seaford Line.  The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

After the hike, catch a direct train from Eastbourne back to London Victoria. Trains run frequently, about every 30 minutes.

If you are coming from Eastbourne or Brighton, take the 12, 12A or 12X bus to get to the start of the walk in Seaford.  If possible, try to catch the 12X which is quicker.  You can buy your tickets on the bus.

If you’re coming by car, it’s about 2 and a half hours’ drive from London.  You can park for free by the Seaford  Esplanade car park.  It’s only 2 hours from Surrey, but we booked accommodation in Eastbourne so we could enjoy the weekend there.

From Eastbourne, we took the 12X bus from outside the station.  The bus goes directly to Seaford Library in 30 minutes.

Another option is to take an organised tour from Brighton or London.

• Seven Sisters:  White Cliffs Day trip from London
• Seven Sisters and South Downs Tour from Brighton

Here is our map showing the key landmarks along the Seven Sisters Cliff.  This is useful to know when walking, as you can see how far you have to go!

• 🏡 Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven
• 🌊 Cuckmere Haven river mouth
• 🧭 Belle Tout Lighthouse
• 🔦 Beachy Head Lighthouse
• 🌾 Birling Gap & Visitor Centre
• ⛰️ The legendary Seven Sisters Cliffs

Once you arrive in Seaford, head to the Maritime Museum on the beachfront.  You’ll spot lots of other hikers heading in the same direction, so it’s easy to find.

The walk kicks off on the seafront promenade, where you’ll pass a row of pretty, pastel beach huts. At the far end of the esplanade there is a steep trail up onto the cliffs, to the Seaford Head Nature Reserve.

The Seven Sisters Hike is easy to follow, as it is well-marked and follows the cliff edge closely.  However, you should keep your distance as the rocks are eroding.

Next, you’ll descend into Cuckmere Haven, one of the most iconic photo spots on the South Coast.  You’ll instantly recognise the Coastguard Cottages, which have appeared in films such as Atonement, Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire, Robin Hood and Wicked. These cottages were originally built to house coastguards to prevent smuggling of illicit French brandy into the area.  They are picture-postcard pretty and have been the subject of many photos.

As you descend to the beach, you’ll need to cross the River Cuckmere which meanders through the valley to join the sea.  Here you have two options:

If the tide is low, you can wade across the river at the beach (expect it to be knee-deep, fast flowing, and cold!). We crossed here, which was quite precarious, but it saved us about an hour of walking.  It’s a good idea to take a small towel if you plan to go this route.

During high tide or if you’d rather stay dry, walk inland past the Cuckmere Inn to cross the bridge, before coming back out to the coast.

Once you’re across the beach, you can climb back onto the cliffs, where the trail opens onto rolling grasslands with expansive coastal views.

From here onwards you’ll follow an undulating route, which can be steep at times.  A few of the cliff tops seemed never-ending, but what goes up must come down, so you have that to look forward to.  About halfway into the trail, you’ll reach Birling Gap.  This is the busiest area on the route, as it has a National Trust Visitor Centre and car park.  It’s a good place to rest, use the café and toilets.  Or, if it’s sunny you can access the pebbly beach via the Birling Gap steps.

The National Trust Visitor Centre Open is daily from 10am to 5pm.  You can expect to see lots of people here and find queues for the café and toilets, especially on a sunny day!

After the Birling Gap, continue east toward Belle Tout Lighthouse, a striking historic building perched on the cliffs. Decommissioned in 1902, and famously moved back from the cliff edge in 1999 due to erosion, it’s now a luxury B&B.  Can you imagine waking up to those views!  If you didn’t stop at the visitor centre, there is a small shop here selling drinks and ice-cream.

The final stretch takes you to Beachy Head, the tallest chalk sea cliff in Britain. You’ll also spot the iconic red-and-white striped Beachy Head Lighthouse below, nestled on a rocky platform in the sea. You could take a short detour for a drink at the Beachy Head Inn, but we continued into Eastbourne.

The last part of the Seven Sisters Cliffs Hike is a steep descent into the seaside town of Eastbourne. You’ll find loads of places to eat here, but we’d recommend Bistro Pierre, which has a balcony overlooking the sea — the perfect spot to relax after your hike.

• Wear sensible shoes, as the terrain is steep and uneven.  We wore hiking boots, but trainers would be fine if it’s dry.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Bring layers and sunscreen – it’s very windy at the top.
• Bring a small towel if you plan to wade through the river.

There’s plenty of options for accommodation in Eastbourne to suit all budgets.  If money’s no object, stay at The Grand Hotel on the seafront.

If you want mid-range accommodation, look at The View Hotel or Hydro Hotel, both of which have excellent locations near the promenade.  For cheaper options, have a look at the Haddon Hall Hotel.

Brighton is a more lively seaside resort and has plenty of options for accommodation.

For mid-range accommodation, try Hotel Una.  This is a chic, boutique hotel in the heart of Brighton, with a bar serving cocktails.  Another popular option is the Harbour Hotel & Spa, with individually furnished en-suite rooms and a subterranean HarSPA.

Would you like to do the Seven Sisters Hike?  Let us know in the comments below.

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