Day Trip: Seven Sisters Cliffs

Seven Sisters Country Park: An hour’s journey from Brighton, these iconic chalk cliffs are a highlight of the South Downs. The Seven Sisters are a series of white cliff peaks (not seven actual sisters, but seven summits) rising straight from the English Channel. It’s a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills and sea.

Getting there: From Central Wave, walk (~15 min) or bus to Brighton Station (the main rail hub). Then:

1. By Bus: Take the Brighton & Hove Coaster bus 12 or express 12X toward Eastbourne. These run frequently (roughly every 20–30 min) and stop at Seven Sisters Country Park (Birling Gap/Exceat). The journey takes about 60–75 minutes. Check brightonbuses.co.uk for timetables.

2. By Train + Bus: Alternatively, a Southern train to Seaford (about 35–40 min from Brighton) followed by a short bus (Coaster 12) or taxi can reach the Visitor Centre.

3. By Car/Taxi: For more flexibility, consider renting a car or hiring a taxi (driving is ~40–50 min via the A27/A259).

Once at the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre (National Trust), you can walk up the well-marked trails along the clifftops for panoramic views. For example, the path from Birling Gap to the largest cliff (Flagstaff) is about 2–3 miles round-trip and offers stunning coastal scenery. (Plan ~3–4 hours to ride there, walk around, and return to Brighton.) For planning, see the National Trust guide: nationaltrust.org.uk/seven-sisters.

Tips: Wear sturdy shoes and take water. Buses to Seven Sisters also stop at Birling Gap (below the cliffs) if you prefer a shorter hike. Before you go, check the last bus/train times back or be prepared for a later ride. The cliffs can be windy and sometimes foggy, so dress in layers.