[2025 East Dean and Friston Attraction] Travel Guide for Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters (Updated Feb)

Located on the English Channel coastline in East Sussex, Seven Sisters Cliff consists of a series of seven white cliffs, named after their resemblance to seven girls dressed in white. I had previously skipped the cliffs during a visit to Brighton due to time constraints, and having seen similar sights in Australia, I wasn't particularly interested. However, I impulsively decided to take a car trip to see the cliffs this time, and I finally understood their beauty! Despite enduring nearly 3 hours of traffic on the way, it felt like driving towards the edge of the world with breathtaking scenery along the route—a truly fulfilling experience! While it's often suggested to visit Brighton before heading to Seven Sisters Cliff, doing both as a day trip from London can be quite rushed. I recommend staying a night in Brighton if you plan to visit both. This time, I'll share a lazy guide for a day trip from London to the cliffs. 😆 (I drove myself, but taking the train is also very convenient!) 🚗 Driving: 📍 Head directly to Brilling Gap (BN20 0AB), where there's a large parking lot available for £1.5 per hour (maximum of £5 for the whole day). As soon as you get out of the car, you'll be greeted by the sea and the stunning view of the white cliffs—it's like stepping into a postcard! 🫶🏽 I recommend allocating around two hours to relax on the beach and take a leisurely hiking route. Walk uphill for about 15 minutes from the car park, and you'll reach Belle Tout Lighthouse. Another 20 minutes of walking will lead you to another must-visit spot, Beachy Head Lighthouse (every location here is Instagram-worthy, to be honest). Finally, make your way back to the parking area, completing the entire hiking journey in approximately 1 hour! There are also more challenging hiking routes for those who enjoy hiking, but be cautious of the extremely strong winds and avoid getting too close to the cliffs. 🫣🫣🫣 Afterward, we drove to Eastbourne (just a 15-minute drive away ), a beautiful seaside town with fewer tourists compared to Brighton. Personally, I found it much more comfortable here! If you're relying on public transportation, I suggest visiting this town first before going to Seven Sisters! 🚍 Public Transport: 🚄 London Victoria ➡️ Eastbourne (Direct Train, 1.5 hours) 🚌 Eastbourne Pier ➡️ Beachy Head / Lighthouse / Birling Gap & Seven Sisters (20 minutes, £8 for students, £10 for adults, valid for 24 hours) The bus stops at multiple locations, allowing you to decide where to get off based on your energy levels. If you're like me and prefer a more relaxed experience, you can head straight to Birling Gap. Whether you choose to drive, take the train, or hop on a bus, visiting Seven Sisters Cliff and Eastbourne #londontrip

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I first learned about the White Cliffs from the movie "Dunkirk," which features a famous line: "You see the white cliffs, you see home." For the British, the White Cliffs are a symbol of home, and seeing them means you're home. The White Cliffs are actually a typical landform of the southern coast of England, formed by the combined effects of marine erosion and tectonic movements. They are famous for their steep and spectacular cliffs, with white rocks contrasting beautifully with the blue sea. · The Seven Sisters Cliffs are the most famous section, named after the seven main cliffs that rise and fall like natural works of art. It takes about 2 hours to drive from London. Although the weather forecast was sunny on the day we went, the clouds were thick by the sea, so we didn't see the White Cliffs at their best. But I was already very satisfied, as rain is the norm in England, and this place indeed has the solitude and grandeur of the world's end. · 🔀Route The Seven Sisters Cliffs cover a large area. If you don't want to hike, you can just stroll around the viewing spots and the beach near the Birling Gap parking lot. But if you want to hike, you can plan a 1-hour hiking route like us: Birling Gap - Belle Tout Lighthouse - Beachy Head Lighthouse. That is, climb up to the white lighthouse on the east side from the parking lot, then go down to Beachy Head Lighthouse. If you hire a car, you can ask the driver to wait at the parking lot on the Beachy Head side, so you don't have to walk back. · 📸Photography ✅Birling Gap: This is the largest parking lot at the Seven Sisters Cliffs. From here, you can go down to the beach to see the White Cliffs. The light is good in the morning, but a bit backlit in the afternoon, although you can watch the sunset in the evening. But the best place to take panoramic photos of the Seven Sisters Cliffs is on the hillside on the east side, which is also the starting point of the hiking trail. · ✅Belle Tout Lighthouse: This is the white lighthouse, the highest point of the hike, and one of the highest coastal cliffs in England. From here, you can overlook the magnificent view of the English Channel and take photos of the Seven Sisters Cliffs and the green grass. But be sure to pay attention to safety when taking photos at the edge of the cliff. · ✅Beachy Head: After passing the white lighthouse, you can see Beachy Head, a classic spot to admire the White Cliffs, with the lighthouse, S-shaped road, and White Cliffs. It's recommended to go in the afternoon when the light is better. But when we got there, the weather suddenly changed, and it started pouring rain a few minutes later. We were taught a harsh lesson by the British weather.

If you are visiting Brighton or Eastbourne, you must get to Birling Gap and admire the beautiful white cliffs. In terms of difficulty, it is an easier hike to take.   Birling Gap is a beautiful and tranquil enclosed pebble beach set below the dramatic backdrop of the Seven Sisters cliffs. Accessible from the pretty Sussex village of East Dean, the short drive to the beach offers wide views of the rolling Sussex downland. I combined my visit to the Seven Sisters Cliffs with Birling Gap and it was a day very well spent! Step out and enjoy big skies and coastal landscapes throughout the year. A perfect spot to enjoy big skies, seascapes, changing colours and quiet walks. There are also plenty of family activities to take! #mytripvlog #tripblazers