Walking the Seven Sisters, Sussex
- Chris O'Shea
- Feb 7, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 4, 2023
The 'Seven Sisters' walk is a coastal walk by the white cliffs, East Sussex between the towns of Seaford and Eastbourne. This walk is just under 8 miles / 13km in length and should take about 6 hours to walk. Difficulty is low to medium with undulating hills on grassy well laid out paths. The scenery is fantastic on a clear day.
Where to stay?
We planned an overnight stay in Eastbourne at the Hydro Hotel just off King Edwards Parade. It’s in a good location as you come down the hill into Eastbourne (if walking from Seaford) and it is a welcome site! It has good facilities and is reasonably priced. The town is only a 10 minute walk (compared to walking the Seven Sisters!). There is plenty of parking on street outside the hotel. The Beacon shopping centre on the other side of Eastbourne is worth a visit with restaurants and the usual parade of shops and a Cineworld if you want to rest your feet and watch a film after a days walking.
The Beacon Shopping Centre Hydro Hotel Eastbourne Rooms are spacious
Getting around
If you plan to walk the Seven-Sisters one-way from Seaford to Eastbourne (or vice-versa) you can get back using the excellent bus service that runs between the two towns with stops at various locations along the route. Buses run quite frequently and you should not have to wait for more than 10 minutes. The bus route runs quite close to the Seven-Sisters walk so if you decide you have had enough walking you can easily make your way up to the road and catch the bus.
'I began to walk along the coastal road, and slowed my pace
Taking in the view, as salty wind blew on my face
I watched the waves far out to sea, all rushing for the shore
And wondered if my mind would like to wander and explore
The impulse just to sit and watch the day roll by, was great To see how nature functions, how it urges to create A varied world where every sight that greets a brand new day Was not the same for every moment nature passed our way'
.............a coastal walk poem by Phil Soar
About the Walk
As the name suggests the Seven-Sisters consists of seven graduated ascents/descents along the coastal path from Seaford to Eastbourne. The walk itself is not difficult as after each ascent you have a period of recovery as you descend back down the next hill. The views are absolutely fantastic - best if you can manage to get a calm and sunny day for the walk as it is quite exposed. You can also argue amongst yourselves whether there are really seven sisters or eight (I’m sure there are eight really!).
Where to stop for Refreshments?
The Birling Gap is a great stop-off point with a café and toilets although it can get quite busy in the summer months. There is a metal staircase giving access to the beach below with great views of the cliffs. Alternatively there is Cuckmore Inn at Exceat Bridge (after 3.9m) and Beachy Head Pub (10.3m). There is also a small shop at Belle Toute Lighthouse after you come out of the Birling Gap and walk up the steep hill heading towards Eastbourne. The Beachy Head Lighthouse also comes into view as you ascend the hill.
Watch the Tides
One thing you have to be very aware of is the fact that the River Cuckmere flows into the sea at Cuckmere Haven and it is very tidal. In fact, at high tide you cannot cross and you have to walk inland to the Exceat Bridge to get across. This walk can be quite muddy and will add an extra 2 miles onto your journey (see map ). You can cross at low-tide but remember to bring surf shoes or flip-flops if you have them as the river bed is Stoney - I lost one of my flip-flops and its probably now somewhere in France!
You can check the tides here.
It takes 1hr approx. to walk from Seaford to Cuckmere Haven.
General Tips for Landscape Photography of the Seven Sisters
Make sure you bring a Polarising filter with you if it is a bright sunny day (as it was for us). The polariser will reduce atmospheric haze and increase the contrast between cloud and sky.
To ensure the photograph is in focus near to far-field (depth-of-field) you need use a small f/stop such as f/16 (corresponds to a wider aperture & lets more light hit the sensor). To understand more about this then google ‘Exposure Triangle’.
Try and find something interesting to include in the foreground and to help set the perspective. Either a bench or a row of houses or even walkers (best walking/ facing away into the scene rather than towards you). Follow leading lines into the scene to direct the viewer to the area of interest. The images shown below highlight some examples.
Also try and 'think beyond the scene' and see if there is anything characteristic of the area that could be included - for example the fishing nets hung out to dry.
View down to Cuckmere Haven
Open gate in the foreground invites viewer in
Fishing Nets Hung Out
Facing away into the scene
Where are the best Photo-shoot Locations?
There are numerous locations for shooting but I have listed some of my personal bests below.
Leaving Seaford looking across to the white cliffs
The Coastguard Cottages by Cuckmere Haven
Birling Gap (down the metal stairs to the seafront)
Leaving the Birling Gap and walking up the hill towards the Belle Toute Lighthouse views of the Beachy Head Lighthouse along the shoreline
The Belle Toute Lighthouse (just after the Birling Gap)
If you can get down to the shoreline you can get much closer to the Beachy Head lighthouse but again, watch out for the tides. It was not possible for us as the tide was well-in and we did not really fancy getting our feet wet!
I hope you found this blog useful. Constructive comments always welcome. Please note the photographic images that appear on this blog are not full/high resolution. High resolution images (plus many others) can be purchased as professional quality prints or mounted on various media through my on-line shop.
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