The walk: Start near Friston. Descend Went Hill to Birling Gap, then follow the coast path (South Downs Way) to Belle Tout Lighthouse and Beachy Head. Descend steeply to Cow Gap, with the opportunity to explore the beach there. Emerge on Eastbourne Sea Front at Holywell.. Get the bus back from near the rail station to the start.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: Fine coastal views, culminating in Beachy Head, at 162m, the highest chalk cliff in England. Close up inspection of the chalk cliffs from Birling Gap beach. Belle Tout lighthouse, saved from crumbing cliffs by moving it back several metres from the cliff edge. Leaving the crowds on Beachy Head behind by descending to the undercliff path, with the opportunity to explore Cow Gap beach. Sedate Eastbourne sea front (my route ends at the Bandstand, but it is a short walk to Eastbourne Pier).
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Belle Tout
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Distance: 9 miles
Logistics: Park at the National Trust car park in Crowlink Lane (free to NT members; leave the A259 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Friston). Walk to Eastbourne and get the bus back from the War Memorial Roundabout (the 12 Coaster service at the time of writing, but things change so check latest on the web).
Challenges:
Birling Gap and Beachy Head are magnets for coach trips, so expect crowds here.
There are some steep climbs and descents, which may be slippery when wet.
Coastal erosion is inexorable: obey latest guidance; approach the cliff edge at your own risk.
If you explore Cow Gap beach, it is inadvisable to try and walk too far West towards Beachy Head lighthouse. It can be done, but requires a very low tide, it's a long way, and the foreshore is vey rough and slippery.
There are mobile phone 'not spots', and you may find your phone logged on to your provider's French services. Apart from the risk of unexpected roaming charges, you may be moved to continental time, disrupting the sequence of any photos you take, and causing you to miss your bus. Set your phone to use time as determined by your GPS location.
Refreshments: NT cafe at Birling Gap. Pub at Beachy Head. Numerous cafes etc on Eastbourne sea front.
Nearby Walks
To the West: Seaford to Birling Gap
To the East: Hastings to Pett Level
Photos
Sunny day in May.
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| NT Crowlink Car Park |
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| Take left fork for Birling Gap via Went Hill |
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| Spring woods |
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| Spring sheep and lambs |
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| Lambs |
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| Lambs and Belle Tout |
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| NT Birling Gap cafe |
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| Seven Sisters and Seaford Head from Birling Gap |
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| Birling Gap Coast Guard Cottages (will soon disappear over the cliff) |
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| Erosion info board |
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| Belle Tout Cliffs |
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| Birling Gap (popular tour stop) |
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| Belle Tout |
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| Belle Tout |
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| Track down from Belle Tout |
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| Belle Tout |
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| Beachy Head Lighthouse |
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| Looking back over Belle Tout towards Seven Sisters and Seaford Head |
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| Beachy Head Lighthouse from Beachy Head |
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| Path descending to Cow Gap |
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| Lighthouse from path to Cow Gap |
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| Cow Gap |
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| Stairs down to Cow Gap Beach |
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| Cow Gap Beach heading West |
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| Cow Gap Beach heading East |
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| Grassy undercliff path |
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| Must be one of the best located sports fields |
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| Looking back towards Cow Gap |
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| Eastbourne ahoy! |
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| Descending to Eastbourne sea front |
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| Eastbourne prom |
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| Eastbourne Beach |
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| Ferris Wheel |
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| Bandstand and Pier |
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