Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

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Important notice -

The Beachy Head road is closed for 8 weeks from Monday 19 September. Birling Gap is open as usual and can be accessed via East Dean.

Walk, go rockpooling or simply relax in the sun

More about this place

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

Amazing archaeology at Birling Gap 

The hilltop enclosure of Belle Tout, on top of the Seven Sisters cliffs above Birling Gap, is an archaeological mystery and could be one of the UK’s most important Prehistoric monuments. A dig this September aims to uncover these secrets before they erode into the sea. .

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Things to see and do

Belle Tout lighthouse viewed from went Hill

Summer time on the Seven Sisters 

Come and see the colorful flowers and insects that can be found at Birling Gap.

A family walking at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, East Sussex.

Walking on the South Downs by the sea 

With so much wildlife and archaeology to see along the way, there really is something for everyone to see and enjoy on these coastal walks between the downs and the sea.

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

Enjoying Seven Sisters & Birling Gap  

A great place to visit and to enjoy stunning sea views whilst stopping for a cup of tea or bite to eat, find out what you could see and do on a day out at Birling Gap.

A boy crouches over a rockpool looking for creatures on the beautiful wave cut platform at Birling Gap beach

33 things to see and do before you're 11 and ¾ 

Are you up for our 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾ challenge? Here at Birling Gap we've counted 33 things for you to tick off your list including rockpooling, kite flying and bug hunting.

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

What's on 

Three children bug hunting in the chalk grassland at Birling Gap

Events and family fun 

Join us for one of our fun filled family and outdoor events at Birling Gap. Why not pop into the Visitor Centre and pick up one of our events leaflets to explore the full range of family fun activities throughout 2016.

Upcoming events

See all events

Autumn colour walk from Ditchling Beacon to Blackcap

Sun 16 Oct 2016
10:00-14:00
An undulating walk along the South Downs Way taking in the autumn colors of Ashcombe Bottom.

Coastal walk - Seven Sisters walk via Birling Gap

Sun 23 Oct 2016
09:30-14:00
Join us for a gorgeous 6 mile circular walk taking in stunning seascapes and views from Gayles Farm, our newest coastal acquisition. Includes a light bite at Birling Gap.

Seven Sisters archaeology walks - Belle Tout

Sun 30 Oct 2016
11:00-12:30
Come and discover the fascinating history through the ages of this amazing coastal site overlooking the Seven Sisters.

Christmas wreath making

Sun 27 Nov 2016
13:00-15:00
Make a beautiful Christmas wreath for your front door using natural materials and festive fancies! Using locally harvested materials from our habitat management work, make a fantastically seasonal and decoration.

Father Christmas and family fun activities

Sat 03 Dec 2016
11:00-15:30
Come along and visit Father Christmas in his grotto, and join in with some of the free self guided family craft activities in the visitor centre.

From white horses to to wine - a post Christmas walk...

Wed 28 Dec 2016
10:00-12:00
Blow away the Christmas cobwebs with this warming walk taking in the new trail on our neighbouring Rathfinny Wine Estate
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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Eating and shopping

A selection of the new summer holiday range of goods available at selected National Trust shops

Gorgeous gifts  

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

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

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.

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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. We're always looking for new members to join our team.

Join our team here at Birling Gap
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