Seven Sisters Visitor Centre Circular

Distance: 3.7 miles with a stretch of steep incline at Harry’s Bush, and a further incline just beyond Hope Gap.

Duration: approx. 2 hours, including time to stop, take pictures, and enjoy the views.

The Seven Sisters Visitor Centre at Exceat is a fantastic place to start and finish a walk. It has plenty of parking, a shop, toilets and  two cafes serving hot and cold food and drinks.

Extra care should be taken at the beginning and end of the walk, as the route follows a busy section of road between the Visitor Centre and Exceat Bridge which requires three crossings due to being paved on only one side. Exit the Visitor Centre car park crossing to the south side of the road, follow the pavement across the Cuckmere, then cross to the other side of the road at Exceat Bridge by the traffic lights. Finally, cross from the Bridge to the front of the Cuckmere Inn, to join the England Coast Path heading south.

You'll enjoy stunning views throughout this walk - of the Seven Sisters, the meanders of the river, and the surrounding rolling landscape.

Look out for a stile on the right about halfway along the path, which will take you on a stretch of steep incline heading south west past the large patch of trees known locally as Harry’s Bush. A second stile can be found in the southern corner of the field, which will enable you to join the track to South Hill Barn and the South Hill Barn Loop (details on the link). As you pass the Coastguard Cottages towards the end of the Loop, rather than follow the track back up to the barn, take the Coast Path north and return to the Visitor Centre via the path along the west of the Cuckmere.

Image: Nigel French

Getting there

By car or bike: The Visitor Centre is situated just west of the Exceat Bridge on the A259, East Dean Road. The journey by car takes around 10 minutes from central Seaford and 20 from Eastbourne. Ample car and cycle parking is available.

By bus: The Brighton & Hove number 12 Coaster buses from Brighton via Newhaven to Eastbourne stop on the A259 stop just outside the Visitor Centre and run every 12 minutes. This route has recently been voted the second most scenic in England!

Image courtesy of South Downs National Park Authority