Seven Sisters Walk (Between Seaford and Eastbourne)

Though there are several ways to take the Seven Sisters hike, following the Seaford-Eastbourne coastline is the best and the most popular. Even though it’s a pretty straightforward route—with a relatively short detour in Cuckmere Haven—we must emphasise its 21 kilometres (13 miles) length and occasional steep hills. It takes five to seven hours, depending on your speed and stops. So, you should be at least mildly in shape to finish it. You can start the Seven Sisters hike from Seaford Beach, just a few hundred yards from the Seaford Train Station, and end it anywhere close to the Eastbourne Train Station. Of course, you can go the other way around. If you catch the low tide in Cuckmere Haven, you can save approximately 3 miles—roughly an hour. However, we recommend you take the detour to Exceat Bridge to cross Cuckmere River because the landscape is fantastic, and it’s an easy walk. You can check the tide times from Sussex Tides.

Commuting from London

Southern, Southeastern, and Thameslink Railways regularly run trains from London to Seaford and Eastbourne with at least one change. The train ride takes two to three hours without delays or cancellations. Tickets usually cost between £20 and £60 per person if you don’t opt-in for first class. In that case, you will probably pay over £100. Please do remember to buy the return ticket from your last stop if you don’t want to waste time returning to your starting point. e.g., if you start from Seaford, get your return tickets from Eastbourne.

Seven Sisters Cliffs on the Map

The Seven Sisters Cliffs stretch along the English Channel coastline between Seaford and Eastbourne in East Sussex, South England. Seaford is only a 45-minute bus ride from Brighton, one of the country's lively seaside towns. You can take 12, 12A, or 12X Coaster between Brighton and Seaford. These buses can also carry you to Eastbourne or Seaford from Birling Gap or another stop between two towns if you choose not to walk the whole 13 miles of the Seven Sisters trail. Also, you can return to your car—if that is your means of transportation—by taking these buses. However, we don’t recommend using cars unless they’re hybrid or electric because of high emissions, and it might be hard to find a parking space, especially on the weekends. The East side of the trail, Eastbourne, is close to another calm and peaceful town of the Channel, Hastings. It is about an hour train ride and a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Eastbourne. If you take a daily trip from London by train, you can get your return tickets from one of these towns. Booking accommodation at least a few weeks prior to your arrival if you plan to stay overnight would be a good idea, but may be costly. However, there are camping sites near all four towns where you might stay for as low as £10-£20 a night if you’re in for a bit of adventure.

The Best Time to Enjoy the Seven Sisters

The best time to visit the Seven Sisters starts early May and ends in late September. If you’re also in for a swim, late spring and early summer are times to consider. Cuckmere Meanders and Birling Gap are trendy wild swimming spots along the Seven Sisters. You can always opt for a less adventurous experience at Seaford or Cuckmere Haven beaches. In addition, we strongly recommend arriving at your destination as early as possible because of the long hike. It is a good idea to give yourself some buffer time before starting and after finishing to rest if you’re there for a daily trip.

Planning and Getting Ready for the Seven Sisters

The combination of the height of the cliffs and the open sea results in windy weather, even if it’s warm. So, we suggest bringing windproof clothes and a base layer for the winter travellers to maintain their body temperature. Indeed, you can wear Sterna’s 100% organic cotton and soft hoodies and sweatshirts to keep yourself warm in style. Grab yours if you haven’t already.

Organising at least a small backpack is essential, mainly because you will definitely need at least some water, protein bars, and maybe a bottle of energy drink. Also, having a quick picnic against the English Channel is a pleasant experience, so pack a couple of sandwiches for your lunch break. If you prefer a regular meal, Birling Gap and Beachy Head are the most convenient stops to take a breather, sit down and enjoy the view.

What’s on the Route

Besides its magnificent landscape and composition of vivid green and blue tones accompanied by white cliffs, there are some remarkable spots on the trail.

Swimming Spots

As mentioned above, there are Cuckmere Haven (above image) and Seaford beaches as regular, and Cuckmere Meanders and Birling Gap wild swimming spots; however, we encourage further research since the water levels change several times a day because of the tides. Moreover, the combination of the tides and Cuckmere River’s current at Cuckmere Haven beach makes it a tricky swimming point. So, pay attention and be safe!

Landmarks

One of the most noticeable landmarks throughout the path is the Seaford Museum of Local History. The tower is a monument of Seaford’s history, one of 103 built against Napoleon’s threat of invasion in the early 19th century.

Belle Tout Lighthouse (above image) is another noteworthy building. The decommissioned lighthouse has been serving as a hotel since 2010. It’s an excellent photography spot, especially if you own a drone; you can get magical shots. About a mile East, there’s another—but intact—lighthouse, Beachy Head Lighthouse, which has been guiding ships in the English Channel for over 100 years. Along with its natural beauty, the Seven Sisters Walk also offers unique cultural treasures, a combination that makes it one of the most appealing hikes in East Sussex. We had a great time and shot amazing pictures and videos on our trip there, and we can’t recommend enough you to take the trip and enjoy yourselves.