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Knowledge Hub · Visiting

Visiting & Access

Parking, transport, facilities, dogs and the best time to come — everything to plan a smooth day

Plan the practicalities

Getting there is the easy part — if you plan it

The Seven Sisters are free, open year-round and reachable without a car. The two things worth deciding in advance are where you start (which end of the cliffs) and how you arrive (the car parks fill fast on fine days). Sort those and the rest falls into place.

Quick answer — getting there

Drive and park at the Seven Sisters Country Park (Exceat) for the western valley, or Birling Gap for the eastern beach and Beachy Head — both paid and busy on sunny weekends, so arrive before 10am. Without a car, take a train to Seaford or Eastbourne and the Coaster bus (12/12X) along the coast road. It’s about 90 minutes from London. Full detail in getting there and the parking guide.

Where to start

Pick your base

Western end · the all-rounder

Exceat — Country Park

Best base for the Cuckmere valley, the meanders and the start of the ridge. Café, toilets, visitor centre and the largest car park. Ideal for families and first visits.

Explore Eastern end · beach & cliffs

Birling Gap

National Trust car park, café and toilets, with steps down to the beach (tide permitting) and the path to Beachy Head. Great for the cliff-face view from below.

Explore Western viewpoints

Cuckmere Haven / Seaford

Smaller parking near Seaford gives access to Seaford Head and Hope Gap — the classic photo viewpoint — and a quieter approach on busy days.

Explore
Good to know

Visiting essentials

FreeOpen year-round; pay only to park
Bus 12 / 12XCoaster between Brighton, Seaford & Eastbourne
Before 10amBeat the car-park queues on fine weekends
Cafés & toiletsAt Exceat & Birling Gap — none on the ridge

This is a planning overview. For official visitor-centre opening hours and park rules, see Seven Sisters Country Park, run by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Plan every detail

Visiting guides

Getting there

On site & nearby

Visiting tips

Keep exploring

Related guides

Walking routes & trails Wind, tide & visibility Cliff-path safety advice Best viewpoints & photo spots Wildlife & geology Compare nearby coasts
Visiting FAQ

Common questions

The main paid car parks are the Country Park at Exceat, Birling Gap (National Trust), and smaller spots near Seaford/Cuckmere. Arrive before 10am on fine weekends. Full detail in the parking guide.
Train to Seaford or Eastbourne, then the Coaster bus (12/12X) to Exceat or East Dean. About 90 minutes from London — see from London and getting there.
Yes, at Exceat and Birling Gap, plus village pubs and cafés. Nothing on the ridge — carry water. See facilities.
Yes, on most paths year-round. Lead near the edge and livestock, mind seasonal beach rules, carry water. See dog guidance.
The Country Park has accessible parking, toilets and some surfaced valley paths; the clifftop ridge is steep and uneven and not wheelchair or pushchair friendly. See facilities for details.
Walking the cliffs is free. You pay only to park — both Exceat and Birling Gap charge. There is no admission to the paths or beach. See the parking guide for current charges and overflow options.
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather, long daylight and either wildflowers or migrating birds, with fewer crowds than peak summer. Avoid bank holiday weekends in summer — car parks fill by 9am. A clear winter weekday is the quietest and often most dramatically lit. See when to visit.

Build your perfect day

The free visit planner turns parking, transport, route and conditions into a single plan — or let a guided day trip handle the logistics for you.

Open visit planner Guided day trip
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