Explore the great outdoors at the Seven Sisters Cliffs

The cliffs have become an accumulation of geological and archaeological finds that have helped historians and researchers gather so much information about the particularities of the area, and about the populations that came before us that inhabited said area. They have found collections of defensive structures, settlements, ancient navigation aids, sets of burial sites and so much more. Impressively, burial sites from the Neolithic Age and the Bronze Age have been found in the area. An important defensive zone, there are remnants of various historic wars to be found in the area, from Napoleonic barracks to World War II anti-tank obstacles. For this reason, the cliffs are so much more than just a beautiful landscape, they are an important and historically relevant source of information and knowledge that help contribute so much to the Sussex Heritage Coast.

If there’s one thing to do at Seven Sisters, it’s walking. Visitors can enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery via an incredible variety of different footpaths and trails. 

The South Downs Way is a hike of epic proportions. Spanning the entire South Downs coast, it covers about 100 miles (160km) from Winchester all the way to Eastbourne and takes on average 9 days to complete. With hikers walking on average 12 miles a day, it’s a great option for more committed or experienced hikers, making for an excellent new challenge to take on. 

If you’re not quite ready to take on the entire South Down Way walk, visitors can easily choose various portions of the walk to take on, like a 40 minute walk from the Seven Sisters visitor centre to the coastguard cottages. 

The trails are well signposted with shorter routes that are easy to follow for visitors only coming to witness the majesty of the chalk cliffs. Here is an example of a short route around the Seven Sisters. Since everything around the cliffs is well signposted and nothing is too far from civilization, it’s also quite nice to simply show up and follow your heart and let the trail guide your walk. 

You can also walk down along the sandy coast for a different yet equally rewarding perspective on the cliffs. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for the Beach Head Lighthouse and the historic Cuckmere Haven Cottages that bless the scenery with a little extra personality. 

In 2016, the entire South Downs National Park was named an International Dark Skies Reserve and therefore, the Seven Sisters Country Park is one of the best places in the country to admire the shimmering night sky. 

Your ability to see the stars obviously depends on the day’s weather, which is why it can be difficult to plan this activity too far in advance. Summer nights are safer because they are more likely to be clear but on some nights from October to March, stargazers have a chance to catch glimpses of the Milky Way from the top of the chalk cliffs. Check the phases of the Moon ahead of your visit to get an idea of what the sky will look like. 

Some practical information about stargazing

• Bring warm and comfortable clothes along with some snacks and hot drinks. 
• Chairs are a good shout, but if you want to take it up a notch, a mattress allows you to really ponder the secrets of the stars and mysteries of the universe. 
• Bring a tripod and appropriate photography gear if you want to take pictures of the starry sky and be sure to arrive in advance to have time to set up all your material.
• Download a stargazing app like SkyView or bring some information about constellations so you can have fun identifying them and familiarising yourself with their individual meanings and stories.  
• Take your time to bask in all the endless glory the night sky has to offer, look out for the little details, random smaller stars and quirks that make our universe so mysterious and fascinatingly beautiful. 
• Here are a few more stargazing tips to keep in mind for your next adventure under the night sky. 

By car: 

• The Seven Sisters Country Park Seven Sisters Country Park is located at Exceat, not far from Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AD. There are two pay and display car parks available for visitors to use. They are open from 7am to 6pm from November to February and from 7am to 9pm from March to October. They cost £4 for the day. These fares vary for different vehicles so make sure to double check the details here. 

By public transport: 

• The coaster bus service runs between Brighton and Eastbourne and takes visitors to the Seven Sisters Country Park. Buses 12, 12A, 12X and N12 are the ones to take and you’ll find more information about route details, service updates and timetables here. All buses stop at the park entrance and are quite regular. 

We love picnicking on the cliffs, especially on a sunny day or evening with an epic sunset view. That said, if you haven’t packed anything on hand, fear not, we love the Cuckmere Inn and the Saltmarsh Farmhouse for a wee pick-me-up.