Explore with Amie

London is a fabulous place to visit within the UK. As the capital, there are plenty of things to do and see. However, once you have exhausted the list of sightseeing, you may want to mix things up by heading outside of the city; especially if, like me, you love the outdoors and hiking. The walk I have to share with you today could be done as a day trip from London which is how I did this walk or, if you’re on the South Coast for a holiday, it would be a great way to spend a day too.

Our first port of call was a Morrisons in Seaford where we could buy our packed lunch for the day. Meal deals are our go-to for occasions such as these. We also loaded up on extra treats like pain au chocolate and bananas. It’s important to keep the energy high for long walks like this one. There are also public toilets within Seaford which was helpful after the long train journey as we didn’t want to need it throughout the walk. There are few toilets on route and few places to hide….

This is a walk that requires very little instruction as you head to the coast and follow the path to the left as you’re looking at the sea; it is essentially straight along the cliff to Eastbourne. You will see the first cliff climb right at the end of the beach. It is a little while until you reach the Seven Sisters but the white cliffs on this coastline are impressive from the offset. However, you will soon reach an inlet beach called Cuckmere Haven where a river meets the sea. The issue here is that you have to walk quite a distance from the coast to go around the river. It looks as if you can cross straight across the beach but, that is certainly not the case. There is a deep trail of water in the middle of the beach that is too steep sided to even attempt to cross. It would be dangerous to do so. Instead, you have to follow the river and make a diversion. Part of the reason for this, I believe, is to encourage visitors to the tourist information centre and cafe at the road too. This does add around 5km to the walk but it is all flat.

From this diversion, it is time to climb the Seven Sisters. You have an incredible view of them from the inlet too. We took the opportunity to ask a fellow walker to take a group photo of us with the view of them behind. It is a great place for a photo opportunity to mark the occasion. The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs along the South Downs and from this point on the elevation is up then down, up then down…..until you reach the end of the Seven Sisters. My sister and I counted each one as we went along.

Along the series of cliffs, there are two other features of note: The William Charles Campbell Monument and the Robertson War Memorial Bequest Obelisk. The former is a monument to someone who donated a significant amount of money to the Seven Sisters Protection Fund in 1926 whilst the latter is a memorial to two brothers that were killed in WW1.

Once you have reached the end of the Seven Sisters, there is a a cafe for ice cream, a souvenir shop and toilet. It is a National Trust site. However, you still have a distance to go to get to Eastbourne. From Birling Gap, there are another 9km to the town.The steepest incline actually comes after the Seven Sisters however, it is still a manageable climb reaching just over 150metres above sea level. This is the Beachy Head Cliff and features a lighthouse.

It is worth noting for those of you who are born around the 00s and were teenagers at the same time as me, Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging was actually filmed in Eastbourne. Unfortunately, it was pouring with rain when we arrived at the town so we didn’t stick around and look at the filming locations. However, if this is something you wanted to add to your itinerary then that would be a great way to spend the rest of the day. You can find some of the key locations here. We opted to head straight on the train to Brighton and head into a pub for a much deserved pint and meal.

To have a more in depth look at the route, follow the link HERE. You can also make alternations to the route to suit your needs. OR, follow the step by step instructions below!

Start Point: Seaford Train Station

1. Head out of the train station and turn right. Follow Dane Road to Seaford’s seafront.
2. Once here, turn left along the esplanade. The beach should be on your right. You will also pass the Martello Fort/Museum.
3. Head up the cliff onto the King Charles III England Coast Path.
4. Continue along the coast path.
5. After approximately 5km, the path will take you past the famous coastguard cottages and down onto a pebble beach. Here you will be forced to head inland, skirting the estuary. You cannot safety cross the beach. Instead, follow the path to the left, alongside the river.
6. When you reach the road, turn right and follow the road until you get to the visitors information centre.
7. Across from the information centre, turn right back onto a footpath. Follow the signposts for the South Downs Way.
8. Take the first right back down towards the river.
9. Head through the gate and back up to the cliffs by following the path to your left.
10. Follow the path across the Seven Sisters.
11. Along the Seven Sisters, take a moment to read the William Charles Campbell Monument and the Robertson War Memorial.
12. Around 13.5km into the walk, at the end of the Seventh Sister, you will arrive at Bilring Gap. This is owned by the National Trust and there is a cafe and car park.
13. Continue straight following the path straight back up the cliff towards the lighthouse.
14. Follow the path around the Lighthouse and continue on to Eastbourne.
15. On the approach to the town, you will see a tarmac path. Take this; the coast path is quite overgrown and bordering on inaccessible therefore, this is much easier going.
16. Head past the pub and carpark before taking the grassy path towards Eastbourne. This path runs diagonally.
17. You should eventually reach some stairs which meet the road. Head down the stairs.
18. Follow this road – King Edward’s Parade – across the seafront.
19. Once you reach a park containing the 8th Duke of Devonshire monument – approximately 2km down – cross the road and head down Jevington Gardens.
20. Take the next road on the right.
21. Continue down Compton Street and turn left at the Devonshire Park Theatre, following Hardwick Road.
22. At the end of the road, turn right.
23. At the roundabout, turn left.
24. Continue down this road, following it as it bends to the left. Eastbourne station should be visible ahead.

End Point: Eastbourne Train Station

Let me know if you do this walk and any wildlife you spot along the way.

Amie x