Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

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Important notice -

The steps to the beach will be closed from Monday 2 October for 6 weeks for essential maintenance works. There will be no access to the beach at Birling Gap during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Walk, go rockpooling or simply relax in the sun with views of the Seven Sisters cliffs

More about this place

Autumn colour Killerton generci

Autumn colour walk from Lewes to Blackcap 

Join the rangers on a circular walk from Lewes to Blackcap taking in the autumn colours of Ashcombe Bottom, discovering the history and management of this ancient site. Soak up big skies and feel on top of the world.

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Things to see and do 

A family group walks over Lookout Hill with Belle Tout lighthouse in the background

Autumn and winter family fun at Birling Gap 

There’s so much for you and your family to see and do at Birling Gap. Tracker packs for strand line searches and fossil hunting can be picked up from the Visitor Centre.

Dog walking on a lead

Walking your dog at Birling Gap 

The South Downs are a great place to walk your dog, so there's always somewhere near to you where you can enjoy this rich countryside throughout the year.

Three people walk along the top of the magnificent Seven Sisters cliffs with distant views behind of sea , horizon, Birling Gap coastguard cottages and Belle tout lighthouse

Wonderful walking at Birling Gap 

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.

A swallow flying low over the water

Autumn at Birling Gap 

Autumn is a time of change when the colours of the grassland start to fade, and the downland plants begin to bear fruit

Aerial view of storm damage at Toys Hill, Kent, after the 1987 storm

Rising from the eye of the Great Storm 

This October marks thirty years since the Great Storm flattened hundreds of thousands of trees across National Trust woodland. The losses were severe but the storm became a chance to re-evaluate the way we work in the outdoors.

A picture of a girl clasping autumn leaves

Autumn colour on the South Downs 

Enjoying some autumn colour. Walking the dog. Walking off lunch. Walking the 100 miles of the South Downs Way. Whatever your reasons for stepping out on the South Downs, there’s a route that’s right for you.

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

What's on 

Upcoming events

See all events

Autumn colour walk from Lewes to Blackcap

Sun 22 Oct 2017
11:00-15:00
Circular walk discovering the history & management of this ancient site.

Bats and Broomsticks

Fri 27 Oct 2017
14:00-16:00
Make a child sized broomstick and craft a bat to take out trick or treating with you!

Christmas wreath making

Sun 26 Nov 2017
10:00-12:30
Get crafty and make a wreath for your front door this Christmas (materials included)

Father Christmas & family fun

Sat 09 Dec 2017
11:00-15:30
Visit Father Christmas and take part in our self-guided family fun activities in our visitor centre
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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Eating and shopping

Shelves stocked with the new food range at Birling Gap

Gorgeous gifts at Birling Gap 

Pick up a gift, a treat for your children or something special for yourself in our shop. Choose from National Trust favourites or specific property items. Whichever you choose every penny of profit is used caring for countryside throughout the South Downs.

Freshly baked cakes

Yummy treats 

Enjoy a latte, juice or beer overlooking the sea on our terrace or savour a light snack or cake with a cup of tea. Children can enjoy an ice-cream or lunchbox on the beach. All the profit we make looks after the countryside and places you love.

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Wildlife

Children rockpooling on the beach at Birling Gap

Habitat discovery at Birling Gap 

There are many different habitats at Birling Gap for you to discover and enjoy. From flower strewn chalk grassland to rock pools filled with exciting marine life, whatever the season there's something new to see.

A raven perching on vegetation

Wildlife at Birling Gap 

Find out more about the incredible diversity of wildlife at Birling Gap and see how many you can spot

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

History

Surveying the wreck of the Coonatto at low tide

Amazing archaeology at Seven Sisters 

From Neolithic enclosures to Iron Age field systems and Second World War defences the archaeology of the Seven Sisters covers thousands of years, telling a complex story of continuous human occupation along this dramatic coastline.

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Get involved

A close up shot shows a volunteer cleaings scrub on the coastal path, an essential part of managing a coastal site such as Birling Gap

Volunteer with us 

With so many volunteering opportunities on offer, find out how you could make a difference ans support the work we do at Birling Gap and across the South Downs.

Join our team
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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Our work

A volunteer clears scrub on a beautiful downland site to encourage more fragile plants to flourish

See what we've been up to 

Birling Gap is a diverse site with many different elements, including a mix of habitats, a cafe, shop and visitor centre. Protecting the chalk grassland is a delicate job, using traditional methods such as grazing ponies and with lots of help from our volunteers we are care for this rare environment, protecting it for years to come. The shop and cafe provide a welcome stop for our visitors to relax, and every penny of profit goes towards the management of the South Downs countryside.

Fulmar over the sea

The use of drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) on the Sussex coast 

The use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) or drones as they are more commonly known, is not permitted on or over National Trust land as part of our byelaws without the necessary required qualifications and a licence granted by us. Find out more here.

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