14 Miles: Seaford to Eastbourne
One thing that had been on my list for some time was to hike the Seven Sisters cliffs. I’ve always wanted to practice my photography in this location and especially try to capture the Coastguard Cottages as best as I could.
I was blown away by that hike.. I still think about it.
I recommend starting in Seaford as the views are more dramatic from this direction. The entire stretch from Seaford to Eastbourne is approximately 14 miles. It may take you roughly 6 hours, depending on how often you stop. I started around 11AM and ended around 5PM.
Transportation
You can take the train from London to Seaford for around £30 roundtrip. However, I took the more scenic route to get there. You are more than able to start the journey at differing points as there are car parks at Birling Gap and Beachy Head, for example.
I went from Blackfriars to Brighton Station via Thameslink, then took the 12X Coaster bus headed for Eastbourne. The whole route is mostly on A259 with a stop in Seaford. I fully intended to take the same route back, as it would have made everything cheaper (your girl is on a budget!), but I just took the train back to London from Eastbourne. The cost ended up being around the same, but I still very much appreciated the bus journey from Brighton.
What to Bring
Since the weather wasn’t too extreme, I wasn’t concerned about any chances of overheating. First and foremost, comfortable walking shoes is crucial. I had a baseball hat on to protect me from the afternoon sun. I layered my clothes with a long sleeve linen shirt as I did not want to risk getting sunburned. I had a baseball hat on to protect my scalp, as that can get sunburned too! I bought a big bottle of water beforehand and a sandwich. You might want to carry more, like some refueling snacks.
Watch the tiktok I made about the day trip here!
Cuckmere Haven and the Coastguard Cottages
The most amazing view has to be from the Coastguard Cottages. You have picturesque cottages with the cliffs in the background and it is truly breathtaking. It’s not hard to see why it’s a favorite photoshoot spot and used in several films.
Continuing along, if it is low tide, you must cross the Cuckmere River to begin your journey. For this, I had to take my shoes and socks off! There is a route to go around with a bridge, especially at high tide, but keep in mind that this will add time to your journey. Anyway, I crossed the river and my feet dried in no time as the weather was pretty mild for June.
As I was coming off the beach, that first ascent was quite steep. It was actually pretty scary, so you must take your time and be careful.
Pit Stop at Birling Gap
There is a café and visitors center at Birling Gap as well as public bathrooms. This was by far the most crowded my journey had been and I only wanted to stop to use the bathroom. I headed towards the viewpoint to take some photos & video. There are steps that lead down to the beach at this point as well.
There is a parking lot here, in case you do not want to do all of the hike. Lots of people park here for a nice day at the beach, or head over to Beachy Head. It seemed to me that the stretch between Birling Gap and Eastbourne had more amenities for visitors.
War Memorial at Beachy Head
After you pass the Belle Tout Lighthouse, you’ll hit the section that overlooks the Beachy Head cliffs. This is the closest you’ll get to Eastbourne and the shortest stretch of the hike to your final destination.
Beachy Head was often the last view of home for sailors and soldiers alike, as well as swimmers before they crossed the Channel.
Recovery in Eastbourne
I moved on from Beachy Head and walked to a lovely view overlooking Eastbourne promenade, with it’s Ferris wheel, pebbled beach, and erosion groynes. I spent some time admiring the city and its beach before I hurried off to grab a burger and beer close to the station.
All in all, a lovely day out.
Also, make sure to stay well clear from the edge as these chalk cliffs are quite fragile!
Watch theTikTok I made on the day trip here!