Visitor information

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Notice: Although the works by Wealden District Council will continue for the next few days we are pleased to announce that access to the beach has now reopenened. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and wish you a very good half term week.

Surf, go rock pooling or relax in the sun

Birling Gap and Crowlink, near Eastbourne in East Sussex, are part of the world famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast.

One minute you can be walking on ancient downland, the next you could be rockpooling below towering cliffs of chalk. Spectacular, unspoilt views of the sea can be seen from all angles.

Birling Gap provides a point of entry for delightful walks and you can find a National Trust café here on the cliff top. The beach below is ideal for seaside picnics with its rock pools and areas of pebbles and sand. It is a great example of a marine nature reserve.

The wild forces of the sea create unusual chalk platforms and huge heaps of gleaming white chalk as the cliffs erode at up to one metre a year. For a more secluded walk venture inland at Birling Gap or Crowlink. With over 500 acres of open chalk grassland the area is rich with butterflies and downland flowers. Nearby sites of archaeological interest, like Belle Tout neolithic enclosure, have much to tempt families further along the coast.

Birling Gap unveils exciting plans

The plans include expanding the café 

The plans include expanding the café

Work is starting on an exciting new refurbishment at Birling Gap, which will result in a new café, shop and visitor centre. We've outgrown the existing facilities, so changes are planned that will make sure this beautiful site is an even better destination for a fun day out. Part of the work will see a new, expand...

50 things to do at Birling Gap

50 things to do © National Trust

50 things to do

© National Trust

Come and join us for some family fun with 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾. We have lots of self-guided activities as well as events, so if you don't know where to start why not try one of our top five fun activities?

  • Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
  • Fly a kite
  • Hunt for fossils and bones
  • Catch a crab
  • Go wild swimming