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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
A popular coastal hub, where the South Downs meet the sea
East Dean, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 0AB
Important notice
Due to essential maintenance works, our internal public toilets will not be available on Monday 4th and Thursday 7th November. Our external toilets including an ambulatory cubicle will still be available at these times though.
Opening times for 7 November 2024
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Café 10:00 - 16:00 Visitor centre 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Toilet 10:00 - 16:00 At our busiest times we may have to close the building as required to meet the needs and safety of our staff and visitors. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
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The bookshop is located in our cafe space next to the Visitor Centre. Please come and browse the fabulous selection of books whilst enjoying a hot drink and slice of cake.
Dogs allowed
Dogs on lead are allowed on the beach, in the shop and in the cafe. Dog walkers are encouraged to make use of the countryside, please keep your dog on a lead around wildlife and livestock or when near the cliff edge.
Café
Whatever time of the day you visit there’s something to hit the spot, from hot breakfast baps to homemade soup, sausage rolls, pasties and cream teas. Hot and cold drinks are served all day, including a selection of wine and beer, alongside cakes and bakes.
Shop
The cliff top shop at Birling Gap stocks a variety of gifts and treats alongside items for your home, garden and pets. There’s always a great mix of local products as well as National Trust favourites such as notecards, bags, magnets and tea towels.Local makers stocked at Birling Gap include Auntie Val’s marmalades, chutneys and jams, gin from Generation 11
Car park
Pay & display parking: £1.50 for up to 1 hour; £3 for up to 2 hours; £6 for more than 2 hours. NT members, motorcycles & Blue Badge holders park free. From spring 2025 there will be no coach parking or drop off available here. Alternative coach parking can be found locally using the link below. Other NT sites including Polesden Lacey may have coach capacity
Toilet
There is an external toilet block with men's & ladies facilities, and 1 ambulant. Inside there are two additional ladies cubicles and an accessible toilet. The interior toilets are open when the café & shop are open. The external toilets are open 9.30am-6pm April - October, and 10am-4pm November- March.
Outdoor toilet block. Accessible toilet/baby changing facilities available. Accessible parking on site. 50 steps down to the beach.
Accessible toilet
There is an ambulant toilet in the external block and an accessible toilet in the interior block. The interior toilets are open when the café & shop are open. The external toilets are open 9.30am-6pm April - October, and 10am-4pm November- March.
Level access to shop
Level access, with a small (3cm high) trim running under the doorway.
Designated parking
There are designated Blue Badge spaces in front of the building.
Seating available
There is external seating around the outside of the building as well as in the café.
Drop-off point
There is a drop off point in front of the main entrance to the building.
Steps/uneven terrain
The shingle beach is accessed down a staircase of 50 steps, over 4 flights of steps with level landing areas between each one. Terrain is mainly hilly and unmade tracks with styles and kissing gates.
Induction loop
There is an induction loop in the café and shop.
By road
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters are located south of the A259 midway between Eastbourne and Seaford. Birling Gap is sign-posted from the A259 at East Dean, Crowlink car park, is accessed from A259 using the lane between Friston Pond and Friston Church.
Parking: Pay & display parking at Birling Gap and Crowlink: £1.50 for up to 1 hour; £3 for up to 2 hours; £6 for more than 2 hours. Parking is cash only or pay by phone. Pay by phone should use free WiFi outside the cafe. NT members, motorcycles and Blue Badge holders park free. NT members should scan their membership cards at the machine and collect the ticket to display in their car. Coaches, minibuses and motorhomes payment rates are £10 up to 2 hours; £20- all day. Overnight camping is not permitted.
On foot
On South Downs Way between Exceat and Eastbourne. Birling Gap is accessible by foot and forms part of the Seven Sisters route. Footpaths from East Dean across Crowlink down to Birling Gap.
By train
The nearest railway stations are Eastbourne (5.5 miles) or Seaford (6.5 miles). Services are operated by Southern Taxis are available at Eastbourne and less frequently at Seaford. For bus transfer please follow directions by bus.
By bus
Buses between Eastbourne and Brighton regularly call at East Dean (1.5 miles). Visit ,Brighton and Hove Buses for details.
By bicycle
There is a network of bridle paths. Cycle stands available at the rear of the coach park at Birling Gap. Went Way bridleway from East Dean to Birling Gap. The South Downs Way is a footpath only across the Seven Sisters
Accessing help and support
There is support available if you are feeling vulnerable or simply need to talk. The Samaritans have a 24 hour free helpline on 116 123. Alternatively visit the NHS website for more help and support options. If it is an emergency please call 999. There is a phone box in the car park next to the Coastguard Station.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Birling Gap safely
The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs are constantly changing. This creates the iconic coastline that you see today. Find out more about how you can enjoy your day safely.
Read our visiting safely article in Chinese: 安全游览伯灵峡
伯灵峡的悬崖可能很危险。 访问时保持安全非常重要。 始终与悬崖边缘保持至少 5 米的距离。 始终与悬崖底部保持至少 5 米的距离。 检查潮汐时间，了解海水何时达到最高点，并始终保持海滩台阶在视线范围内。
Read our visiting safely article in Polish: Bezpieczne zwiedzanie Birling Gap
Klify w Birling Gap mogą być niebezpieczne. Bardzo ważne jest, aby zachować bezpieczeństwo podczas wizyty. Zawsze trzymaj się co najmniej 5 m od krawędzi klifu Przez cały czas trzymaj się co najmniej 5 m od podstawy klifów Sprawdź godziny przypływów, które pokazują, kiedy poziom morza będzie najwyższy, i zawsze miej w zasięgu wzroku schody na plażę
Read our visiting safely article in Korean: Birling Gap을 안전하게 방문하세요
Birling Gap의 절벽은 위험할 수 있습니다. 방문 시 안전을 유지하는 것이 정말 중요합니다. 항상 절벽 가장자리에서 최소 5m 이상 떨어져 있어야 합니다. 항상 절벽 바닥에서 최소 5m 거리를 유지하세요. 바다가 가장 높은 때를 알려주는 조수 시간을 확인하고 항상 해변 계단을 시야에 두십시오.
Article
Visiting the South Downs with your dog
Find out about bringing your dog to the South Downs. Explore the beautiful landscape together, from cliff-tops and beaches to ancient downland.
Highlights
Coast
Birling Gap and Crowlink, near Eastbourne in East Sussex, are part of the world famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast.
Cafe
The changing of the seasons is reflected in Birling Gap's cafe menu from warming soups to sandwiches, pastries and light snacks. Enjoy a cooked breakfast or a hot sausage roll, or simply relax with a cream tea and a cappuccino.
Countryside
Winter sees strong winds and heavy rains keeping wildlife hidden in whatever shelter they can find. But the yellow flowers of gorse are always visible adding a splash of colour and a coconut scent. Storms change the shape of the beach weekly.
Shop
Showcasing the uniqueness of the National Trust countryside and coast our shop offers a range of items to refresh your home and wardrobe from our range of bags, clothes, scarves, gifts and homeware. Buying these seasonal designs helps us to care for the coast and countryside throughout the South Downs.
Things to see and do
Article
Exploring Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Discover what to see and do at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters. Fossil hunt on the beach, walk on the historic downland or enjoy the views as you spot birds.
Top trails
to enjoy. Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters are a wonderful place to enjoy a walk. From sea views to secluded downland valleys, there is something for everyone
Trail
Birling Gap walk from the Tiger Inn
This circular walk allows you to enjoy great views over the downs and Easy Sussex coast and feel a sense of the landscape's long history.
Trail
Bounding up to Belle Tout at Birling Gap
Enjoy a relaxing stroll up to Mad Jack Fuller's folly on this circular walk which offers breathtaking views of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head lighthouse.
Trail
Clifftop walk from Birling Gap to Exceat
Experience iconic clifftop views of the Seven Sisters coastline and discover the history of this walk to Exceat and the Seven Sisters Country Park.
Trail
Between the South Downs and the sea circular walk
This route through meadows and trees, down to Birling Gap and up over three of the Seven Sisters takes in coastal views, seasonal flora and fauna and an optional detour to a pub.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Birling Gap
Find out about eating and shopping at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters. Stop for refreshments with a view and browse for local souvenirs in the cliff-top shop.
Upcoming events
Event
Christmas Wreath Making at Birling Gap
Join us for a festive and creative experience making your own natural wreath out of locally sourced materials.
About Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Birling Gap and Crowlink, near Eastbourne in East Sussex, are part of the world famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast.
One minute you can be walking on ancient downland, the next you could be rockpooling below towering cliffs of chalk. Spectacular, unspoilt views of the sea can be seen from all angles.
Birling Gap provides a point of entry for coastal walks and you can find our café, shop and visitor centre here on the cliff top. The beach below is ideal for seaside picnics with its rock pools and areas of pebbles and sand. It is a first class example of a marine nature reserve.
The wild forces of the sea create unusual chalk platforms and huge heaps of gleaming white chalk as the cliffs erode at up to one metre a year. Birling Gap can get busy so for a more secluded walk venture inland at Birling Gap or Crowlink. With over 500 acres of open chalk grassland the area is rich with butterflies and downland flowers. Nearby sites of archaeological interest, like Belle Tout neolithic enclosure, have much to tempt families further along the coast.
Please note: Access to the beach may be closed at short notice in bad weather or due to sudden cliff falls.
Our work
Article
Shifting shores at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Read about the changing coastline at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters and discover how the National Trust is planning for the future in this changing landscape.
Project
Project
Changing Chalk partnership
The South Downs have been a place to live, work and play for thousands of years. Together we can make sure they will be enjoyed for thousands more. Learn how the projects of the Changing Chalk partnership, led by the National Trust, are restoring lost habitats, bringing histories to life, and providing new outdoor experiences across the eastern South Downs, and discover how you can get involved.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters.