Panorama showing the view over the western end of Seven Sisters Country Park in East Sussex. This hand held virtual tour was taken near the top of Haven Brow, the first of the Seven Sisters hills that lie between here and Birling Gap to the east. It is a popular walking area, though hard work. As can be seen from the low trees in this image, the wind is quite strong and unidirectional most of the time - all the trees bend dramatically windward.

Seven Sisters Country Park - Seaford visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Seven Sisters Country Park' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from East Sussex.

The Seven Sisters Country Park lies within the larger South Downs National Park on the south coast of England. It covers 280 hectares of chalk hills and cliffs, river valleys and grassland. Within the park are the Seven Sisters, a series of seven chalk hills and cliffs that line the coast between Cuckmere Haven and the Birling Gap. The South Downs Way proceeds through the park and over the seven hills, past Birling Gap and onto Beachy Head before descending a final time into Eastbourne.

Parking and the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre are found near the Exeat Bridge a little inland. In the centre you will find interpretive displays giving the history and geology of the region. Next to it is also a delightful tea shop and often an ice-cream van. Both welcome sights for sore legs after walking the hills. From here a level, paved path runs alongside the east side of Cuckmere River to the pebble beach of Cuckmere Haven. Cycles can be hired at a shop near the visitor centre. The South Downs Way continues over the hills to the east and is not open to cycles. Another footpath also leads down the west side of the river giving access to routes west over Seaford Head and into Seaford. The mouth of the river is most often unfordable.

These chalk hills have been occupied since Neolithic times. You will find a number of ancient burial mounds (tumuli) on them. The area with Cuckmere Valley is a combination of water meadow, open grassland, estuary and pebble beach. This makes it an important natural resource, full of many different kinds of birds and the occasional adder. The cliffs are continually eroding at a rate of about 30cm per year and in past times, when the shoreline was much further south, Cuckmere Haven was a popular landing spot for smugglers.

Cuckmere Haven has also played a role in several blockbuster films including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Atonement (2007) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Walking the Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters walk is one of the most popular coastal walks in the UK. Taking a full day, the walk starts at Seaford and heads east to Eastbourne. It is best to walk eastwards as this puts the wind behind you most of the way. There is very little (read almost none) shelter on the walk and you will be totally exposed to the elements. The weather here can change rapidly so walkers are advised to bring rain gear and plenty of water. Starting at Seaford you will pass:

• Up Seaford Head and down to Hope Gap
• Up Short Cliff and then down to Cuckmere Haven.
• Inland along Cuckmere River to the Exceat Bridge and then back out again on the other side through Seven Sisters Country Park.
• Over the Seven Sisters:
• Up to Haven Brow then down to Short Bottom.
• Up to Short Brow and down to Limekiln Bottom.
• Up to Rough Brow and down to Rough Bottom.
• Up to Brass Point and down to Gap Bottom.
• Up to Flagstaff Point (and Flagstaff Brow) then down to Flagstaff Bottom.
• Up to Flat Hill and down to Flathill Bottom.
• Up to Baily's Hill followed by Michel Dean
• Up to Went Hill Brow.
• After the Seven Sisters the path descends to Birling Gap.
• The South Downs Way continues east up Frost Hill to the Belle Tout lighthouse (currently a hotel until it falls into the sea).
• Down Shooters Bottom and then up to Beachy Head.
• Final descent down to Eastbourne for a drink, fish and chips and well earned rest.

Seven Sisters Country Park
Exceat
Seaford
East Sussex
BN25 4AD
Phone: 0345 60 80 194
Email: countrysidemanagement@eastsussex.gov.uk
Web: sevensisters.org.uk

Bus: Exeat Bridge / Golden Galleon pub (12, 12A, 12X, 13X, 40)
Walk: South Downs Way form Seaford or Cuckmere Haven. Footpath down Hope Bottom from South Hill.
Road: Seaford is on the A259 just east of Newhaven. It is 12 miles east of Brighton and 10 miles west of Eastbourne.
Train: Seaford Station with links to London via Lewes.