Thirty minutes east of Brighton, the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters rise from the beach in a sequence of white headlands that is one of the most recognisable coastal views in England. Seaford sits at the western end of this stretch, with a flat beach walk and a direct view of the cliffs from sea level.
Getting There
Southern Railway from Brighton to Seaford takes approximately 30 minutes, changing at Lewes. Trains run hourly. Seaford station is a 10-minute flat walk from the seafront.
Seaford Beach
The seafront at Seaford is shingle, wide, and flat - the walk from the town end of the beach eastward toward the base of the chalk cliffs at Cuckmere Haven is approximately 2 kilometres of level shingle and coastal path. The Seven Sisters are visible from the beach as the chalk ridge rising and falling along the horizon to the east.
The sea in April is cold (around 10°C) but the beach is fine for walking regardless. The Martello Tower at the western end of the beach (one of the coastal defence towers built during the Napoleonic Wars) is a useful orientation point.
The Seven Sisters Cliffs
The Seven Sisters Country Park at Cuckmere Haven, approximately 3 kilometres east of Seaford along the coastal path, gives the closest access to the cliff base. The iconic view - the chalk headlands rising from the valley of the Cuckmere River - is best seen from the western bank of the river looking east, or from the beach at the Cuckmere mouth looking up at the cliffs.
The cliff-top path continues east along the full Seven Sisters sequence (Went Hill Brow, Bailey's Hill, Flagstaff Brow, Brass Point, Rough Brow, Short Brow, Haven Brow) toward Birling Gap and then Beachy Head. This is a substantial walk involving significant elevation change - not suited for the day after a marathon. The beach and the Cuckmere viewpoint are the recovery version.
Cuckmere Haven
The Cuckmere Haven car park and visitor centre at the end of the Cuckmere valley road (accessible by the Cuckmere Community Bus from Seaford) is the alternative access point for the cliffs. From here, the path to the cliff edge and the river mouth is flat across the water meadows.
Where to Eat
Seaford Head Golf Club on the clifftop has a cafe with views across the bay. In Seaford town: The Wellington Hotel on the seafront serves food and has a terrace looking out to sea.
Getting Back
Train from Seaford to Brighton (change at Lewes), approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, the coastal bus services connect Seaford to Eastbourne (30 minutes east) for a different rail return route.