South Downs and the Seven Sisters cliffs

Route description

Leave Brighton heading north-west and follow the signs up to Devil’s Dyke, a steep dry valley in the chalk with views over the Weald. It is only about 20 minutes from the seafront. From there, cross to Lewes via the A27, a hilltop county town with a Norman castle, steep lanes and old flint and timber houses. Parking in Brighton is expensive and tight for large vehicles; the park-and-ride sites are easier.

From Lewes take the A26 and A259 through Seaford to Exceat, where the Seven Sisters Country Park car park sits beside the Cuckmere River. A flat path follows the meanders to the beach. For the famous view of the cliffs behind the coastguard cottages, walk up onto Seaford Head from the west bank instead. The whole South Downs area is a national park, with the South Downs Way running along the top.

The A259 climbs over the downs to East Dean, where a lane leads to Birling Gap and steps down to the beach below the cliffs. The minor road continues along the top past the Belle Tout lighthouse to Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, with parking along the road. Stay well back from the edges, which are unfenced and crumble without warning.

Drop down into Eastbourne, a Victorian seaside town with a long promenade and a pier. From there, inland roads through the Sussex Weald lead in about an hour to Bodiam Castle, a moated 14th-century castle with car parking beside it. Rye is about 20 minutes further east. The A259 along the coast is busy in summer, so allow extra time on warm weekends.