If you’re yearning for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of London, look no further than the breathtaking Seven Sisters Cliffs. Nestled along the bucolic South Downs National Park, this picturesque hike is the perfect day trip getaway to recharge and reset. And the best part is, it’s just a short train ride away from London.
With dramatic white chalk cliffs, sweeping views of the English Channel, and rolling hills stretching out into the horizon, there’s no better place to go on an adventure. Weather in England can be quite unpredictable, so it’s wise to plan just a few days in advance and keep an eye out on conditions. Although the view is best on a clear day with blue skies, I personally believe that it’s beautiful on the moodier days as well — just make sure it’s not slippery or cold!
Got your shoes on? It’s time to go on a hike!
How to Get to the Seven Sisters Cliffs via Public Transport
The Seven Sisters Cliffs span over quite a long distance, but the best path to take is from Seaford to Eastbourne. On the way there, you’ll take the train from London Victoria to Lewes, with a transfer at Lewes to Seaford. On the way back, you can take a direct train from Eastbourne straight into London Victoria. Check Trainline for the most up to date timetables and tickets.
Seven Sisters Cliffs Hiking Path
After getting off at Seaford, take a short walk to the trailhead to begin your hike. While the entire hike is 21.2 kilometers / 13.2 miles long, the trail is broken down into a few different stretches, giving you flexibility to customize the hike to your preferences. Depending on your adventure level and time commitments, you can either take an easy, medium, or hard trail and do a combination of walking and taking buses to hit the different sections.
The first stretch of the hike takes you from Seaford to Cuckmere, and the only way to get there is by walking. You’ll pass plenty of lush fields along the way and may even come across some sheep. The moment the cliffs come into view will certainly take your breath away!
As you approach the start of the cliffs, you’ll spot the iconic Coastguard Cottages (where they filmed Atonement!) standing proudly at the base. From here, you’ll want to turn left and follow the trail towards Cuckmere Haven. This vast area has many different paths so take your time to admire its natural beauty.
Continue along this path until you reach the Cuckmere Inn, where you’ll stop for lunch. After all this hiking, you deserve a hearty meal! This is the perfect place to take a break, use the restrooms, and grab a bite to eat. The food is very yummy and just what we needed to give us energy for the rest of the hike.
After lunch, we’re on to the second stretch of the hike from Cuckmere Haven to Birling Gap. You can either walk there and follow the path along the coast, or you can take the #12 bus. We opted for the latter since it was quite chilly and we were all soaked after slipping in the mud (see above 😂). Upon getting off the East Dean stop, you’ll walk for about 30 minutes down Gilbert Street, which turns into Birling Gap Road — passing lots of cute homes and animals along the way!
This takes you straight back to the coast, where you’ll find a National Trust Information Center and Cafe. It’s a great spot to pick up a coffee or tea and shop for souvenirs. I brought home a delicious passionfruit curd for myself and a stuffed animal for my friend’s newborn baby.
The Birling Gap section of the cliffs is very popular, and after making our way down the staircase, it’s no wonder why! Getting to walk on the rocks was so surreal, and we got so lucky with the clouds clearing up and revealing the most serene blue sky. Hearing the waves crashing against the shore, with the salty ocean breeze brushing against my face and sun shining on my shoulders, brought me so much joy. It was truly a picture perfect moment.
The only thing I’m sad we didn’t get to see were the wild ponies! If you’re lucky, you may spot them further down the coast in the pastures on your way to Eastbourne. We were simply too cold and tired to continue walking (falling in the mud is no joke haha), so we took the bus to Eastbourne and then the direct train back to London.
I did this hike with a group of friends on my penultimate day in London after living there for three months, and it was the most perfect and sentimental way to close this special chapter. I’m so grateful that I got to call London home for a while and explore more of this beautiful country. I know for sure I’ll be back — and I can’t wait to go on even more adventures.
