History at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Birling Gap and the surrounding area are a landscape and people rich in history. From prehistoric times right through to the 21st Century the area has always attracted settlement and community living. Recent activities including the Seven Sisters Archaeology Project continue to provide us with more information about the people who have lived and worked on this dramatic stretch of coastline.

A view of the coast guard complex at Birling Gap

Prehistoric settlements

A view from flag staff looking back towards Belle Tout

The Seven Sisters in prehistory 

The landscape has been shaped by human activity and the signs are everywhere.

Flint arrowhead found at Belle Tout settlement

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.

Later developments

View of Seaford Head from Michel Dean

History of the farm land 

The National Trust’s original holdings along the Seven Sisters were Crowlink, Birling Gap and Belle Tout. Their history has been extensively researched and this has provided the basis for this article.

View over dew pond to Crowlink

Development on the downs 

Discover how this coastal stretch of the South Downs was saved for the nation

A shot of barbed wire on the Seven Sisters Cliffs

The military at Birling Gap in the 20th Century 

The military has been present at Birling Gap throughout the 20th century.

A view of the coast guard station and cottages in 2017

The coast guards of the Seven Sisters 

The coast guard have had a presence along the Seven Sisters for centuries.