Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
A popular coastal hub, where the South Downs meet the sea
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Overview
A popular coastal hub, where the South Downs meet the sea
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 coastal walks and you can find our café, shop and visitor centre 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 first class 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. Birling Gap can get busy so 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.
Please note: Access to the beach may be closed at short notice in bad weather or due to sudden cliff falls.
- Telephone
- 01323423197
- birlinggap@nationaltrust.org.uk
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
How to get here
- Address
- East Dean, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 0AB
- By cycle
- There is a network of bridle paths. Cycle stands available at the rear of the coach park at Birling Gap. Went Way bridleway from East Dean to Birling Gap. The South Downs Way is a footpath only across the Seven Sisters
- On foot
- On South Downs Way between Exceat and Eastbourne. Birling Gap is accessible by foot and forms part of the Seven Sisters route. Footpaths from East Dean across Crowlink down to Birling Gap. Check out our walk from
East Dean - Accessing help and support
- There is support available if you are feeling vulnerable or simply need to talk. The Samaritans have a 24 hour free helpline on 116 123. Alternatively visit the NHS website for more help and support options. If it is an emergency please call 999. There is a phone box in the car park next to the Coastguard Station.
- By train
- The nearest railway stations are Eastbourne (5.5 miles) or Seaford (6.5 miles). Services are operated by Southern Taxis are available at Eastbourne and less frequently at Seaford. For bus transfer please follow directions by bus.
- By road
- Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters are located south of the A259 midway between Eastbourne and Seaford. Birling Gap is sign-posted from the A259 at East Dean, Crowlink car park, is accessed from A259 using the lane between Friston Pond and Friston Church.
- Parking: Pay & display parking at Birling Gap. £1.50 for up to 1 hour; £3 for up to 2 hours; £5 for more than 2 hours. Parking is cash only or pay by phone. Pay by phone should use free WiFi outside the cafe. National Trust members, motorcycles and Blue Badge holders park free. National Trust members should scan their membership cards at the machine and collect the ticket to display in their car. No coaches. Overnight camping and motor homes/ camper vans are not permitted to stay overnight.
- By bus
- Buses between Eastbourne and Brighton regularly call at East Dean (1.5 miles). Visit ,Brighton and Hove Buses for details.
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Opening times
Wednesday 26 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday 27 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Friday 28 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday 29 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday 30 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Monday 31 January
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 1 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Café 10:00 - 16:00
- Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00
- Shop 10:00 - 16:00
- Toilet 10:00 - 16:00
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01323423197
- birlinggap@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- East Dean, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 0AB