Seven Sisters Walk – Complete Guide & GPS Map

Sea, sun and… the Seven Sisters walk, of course!
If you’re looking for dramatic coastal scenery, this walk delivers in spades. The Seven Sisters are a series of rolling chalk cliffs along the Sussex coast, offering some of the most spectacular views in southern England. Lace up your hiking boots and set off on one of the most dramatic coastal walks near London.

Last Update: 15 March 2026

My first attempt at the Seven Sisters walk didn’t quite go to plan. I had picked the day of Storm Sebastian — which, in hindsight, was not the best day to attempt a coastal hike.

So I had to come back and give it another try. And this time, the Seven Sisters didn’t disappoint. With its rolling chalk cliffs, sweeping views of the English Channel and endless photo opportunities, this walk is easily one of the most spectacular coastal hikes near London.

Logistics for the Seven Sisters Walk

Map of the Seven Sisters Walk

Are you ready for the challenge? Download the GPS map of the Seven Sisters walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload it on your navigation app, follow my step-by-step guide here.

Highlights of the Seven Sisters Walk

Seven Sisters Walk

What are the Seven Sisters?

The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs along the English Channel stretching between Seaford and Eastbourne in East Sussex.

Despite the name, there are actually eight cliffs. Sailors originally named them the Seven Sisters because, when approaching the coast, they could only see seven white cliffs. The eighth cliff was covered by grass all the way down to the beach and blended into the landscape. Over time, coastal erosion exposed this hidden cliff, making it visible from the sea.

The cliffs are located within the South Downs National Park offering spectacular views of the coastline. The white chalk cliffs contrast beautifully with the deep blue waters of the English Channel, giving the sea a striking turquoise colour.

The coastline is left to erode naturally, which is part of what makes this landscape so dramatic. Walkers are therefore advised to stay well away from the cliff edges, as they can be unstable.

The iconic Seven Sisters cliffs have also appeared in several films and TV productions, including Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).

Now that you know a little more about the Seven Sisters, let’s get to the walk.

Seaford

Our walk starts in Seaford, a seaside town in East Sussex. In medieval times, Seaford was a prosperous port town, benefiting from its access to the English Channel. However, its fortunes declined as the harbour gradually became blocked by silt, while repeated raids and invasions from the French further weakened the town.

During these more difficult periods, locals were said to make a living by scavenging goods from shipwrecks along the coast. According to local folklore, some residents even placed fake lights on the cliffs to lure ships off course so they would run aground.

The town experienced a revival in the nineteenth century with the arrival of the railway, which transformed Seaford into a popular seaside resort. Today, it is largely a commuter town, with many residents travelling to nearby Brighton and Eastbourne for work.

Seaford Beach

As you leave the train station, turn right onto Church Street. Within moments, you’ll pass St Leonard’s Church, whose origins date back to the 12th century, with its tower added in the 15th century. The street opens up and you find yourself on the Esplanade, right in front of the sea.

Walk across the Esplanade and onto the beach. The water immediately catches the eye with its striking turquoise colour, sometimes looking more like the Caribbean than the English Channel. This unique shade comes from the chalk cliffs, whose particles reflect light through the water.

Follow the beach until you reach the Martello Tower. This is Tower No. 74, one of a chain of 103 defensive forts built along the south coast during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars to defend Britain against a possible invasion.

At the end of the beach stands Seaford Head. It’s not officially part of the Seven Sisters, but you’ll need to climb it to reach the start of the trail. And since the Seven Sisters are actually eight cliffs, this bonus cliff brings the total to nine. Who said maths wasn’t useful on a hike?

Cuckmere Haven

On the other side of Seaford Head, the view finally opens up to reveal the Seven Sisters cliffs, rising in a dramatic line along the coastline.

Follow the path down the hill until you reach Cuckmere Haven Beach. This low-lying area sits where the River Cuckmere meets the English Channel, and it can occasionally flood during high tides or after heavy rain.

From the Tudor period through to the Georgian era, Cuckmere Haven was known as a hotspot for smuggling along the Sussex coast. Its quiet beaches and hidden inlets made it the perfect place to land contraband away from prying eyes.

During the Second World War, the area took on a very different role. Defensive structures were built along the beach to prevent German aircraft from landing. Some of these counter-landing defences can still be seen today on the hillsides overlooking the beach

When the tide is low, you can simply cross the beach to reach the Seven Sisters trailhead. At high tide, however, the beach becomes inaccessible and you’ll need to take a detour through the marshlands along the banks of the River Cuckmere, adding about 30 minutes to the walk.

This pleasant and flat path beside the river is a good chance to enjoy some peace before the real climb begins.

The First Three Cliffs

The first few cliffss are steep, and you’ll quickly notice that the path is dotted with small holes and natural steps in the ground, which actually make the climb a little easier as you push your way up the slopes.

Once you reach the top of the cliffs, the views are nothing short of spectacular. And don’t forget to turn around from time to time — behind you, the rolling farmland of the South Downs stretches into the distance, with the town of Seaford visible along the coast.

Flagstaff Point

The fourth peak is Flagstaff Point, which is easy to spot thanks to the stone monument standing at the top. Despite its appearance, it isn’t a trig point but the William Charles Campbell monument.

But who was William Charles Campbell?

Born in 1889 in Bordeaux to an English father and a French mother, Campbell joined the British Royal Flying Corps in 1916. During the First World War, he became a fighter ace, destroying five German observation balloons and being credited with 23 aerial victories. For his service, he was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross.

The monument on Flagstaff Point was erected in recognition of his generous contribution to the Seven Sisters Preservation Fund, which helped protect this spectacular stretch of coastline.

Birling Gap

Three more cliffs and you arrive at Birling Gap. This National Trust site offers several facilities, including public toilets, a café serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, and a small souvenir shop. If you didn’t bring any food with you on the walk, this is the perfect place to stop and refuel.

Birling Gap is also a great spot for photos. From here you get beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs, and a staircase leads down to the beach where, at low tide, you can try your luck hunting for fossils.

If you’ve been counting, you’ve now walked across the eight cliffs that make up the Seven Sisters. At this point, you could end the walk here by following the path inland to the village of East Dean, where buses run to Eastbourne.

Related Content: Hiking Summer Lunch Recipes

But if you’d like to continue all the way to Eastbourne on foot, keep reading.

Tip: instead of stopping for lunch at the often busy café at Birling Gap, consider taking your food with you and walking up to Beachy Head Hill. It’s a much quieter spot and the views from the top make for a far more memorable lunch break. See the picture below.

The Light Houses

After lunch, continue along the coastal path and you will soon arrive at the first lighthouse, Belle Tout.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, this stretch of coast was the scene of numerous shipwrecks. The need for a lighthouse had long been recognised, but it was only after the ship Thames ran aground on the rocks that the project finally moved forward.

The first lighthouse, built of wood, became operational in October 1828. It was replaced in 1834 by a more durable granite structure. However, due to frequent fog and its position on the cliffs, the lighthouse proved less effective than hoped and was eventually decommissioned in 1902. Since then, it has passed through several private owners over the years.

Belle Tout is often referred to as “Britain’s most famous inhabited lighthouse” and has appeared in numerous films and television productions, including the James Bond film The Living Daylights.

Because Belle Tout did not prove as effective as hoped, a second lighthouse was built closer to the sea. Beachy Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1902 at the base of the cliffs, about 165 metres offshore. It was initially staffed by lighthouse keepers before becoming fully automated in 1983. Today, it is easily recognisable thanks to its distinctive red and white stripes.

Beachy Head

Continue along Beachy Head Hill and, before long, the coastal town of Eastbourne comes into view in the distance. As you reach the end of the path, you’ll pass a pub, tempting, but not quite the finish line yet, as there’s still a little more walking to do before reaching town.

At the bottom of the cliff, the turquoise water comes into view, framed by lush vegetation, a scene that feels almost Mediterranean and hard to believe you’re still in England. At the end of the path are some really steep steps: as you must be thinking you were done doing anything difficult, sometimes the descent can be as hard as the ascent…

Eastbourne

This seaside resort, located at the foot of Beachy Head, is home to many commuters working in London and Brighton. It is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its lively seafront. Visitors will find a range of attractions, including a children’s adventure park, a pier with restaurants and shops, mini-golf and even a Ferris wheel.

Follow the seafront along Eastbourne’s lively promenade, with the beach on one side and the elegant Victorian buildings lining the coast on the other. Continue walking until you reach a set of stairs leading up to the streets above.

If you have a little time before your train, Eastbourne’s seafront is a great place to celebrate the end of the walk with an ice cream or a well-deserved drink.

Have a safe trip back to London!

Final Thoughts on the Seven Sisters Walk

The Seven Sisters walk is without doubt one of the most spectacular coastal hikes you can do near London. If you enjoyed this walk and would like to explore more coastal hikes within easy reach of London, make sure to check out my guide to the Best Coastal Walks near London, where I share several other beautiful routes along the English coastline.

And you, what is your favourite coastal walk? Let me know in the comments below.

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