Name: Birling Gap, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
Address: Birling Gap Road, East Dean and Friston, Birling Gap, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 0AB, United Kingdom

🐾 Dog-Friendly Birling Gap, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters at a Glance
📍 Location: Between Brighton & Eastbourne, East Sussex
🦮 Dog-Friendly: Yes, mostly off-lead; keep dogs close near cliff edges and livestock
🚶 Walk Length: From Birling Gap, allow an hour (one way) for the Seven Sisters and equally an hour to Beachy Head. Thus, both give you just over 4 hours
🌿 Terrain: Flat, wide coastal paths, but it is hilly and can be very windy and exposed
🐑 Livestock & Wildlife: You can get some livestock in areas
🏰 History & Landmarks: This is all about the natural high white cliffs
🚻 Facilities: Toilets, cafe, shop, ice cream van at Birling Gap
🅿️ Parking: National Trust car park free for members

About

Birling Gap is located between Eastbourne and Seaford in East Sussex, right on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It’s probably the best starting location for exploring both Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters cliffs, chalk cliffs stretching along the coast and offering some of the UK’s most iconic and breathtaking views.

Birling Gap Information Board — *Birling Gap & The Seven Sisters Information Board*

Dog Access and Rules

The coastal paths are dog-friendly all year round, and although the grass areas above the Seven Sisters cliffs allow lead-free running, you need to put them on a lead by the cliff edges and around any livestock or wildlife.

*Care around the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head Cliff Edges*

Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the National Trust visitor centre, shop, outdoor seating, and marked indoor cafe areas.

Things To See & Do

Birling Gap, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters are playgrounds for dogs that love to explore, run, and experience the outdoors. You have two options for walks.

You can head westwards along the cliffs of the Seven Sisters. The views are breathtaking, and there are over 500 acres of open spaces for your dog to stretch its legs. Ensure they’re on a lead, as the cliff edges can be steep. Although you can head inland, we also like to walk from Birling Gap to Cuckmere Haven Beach, have a splash and then return the same route.

As well as the Seven Sisters, you can head eastwards and take in the Lookout and on to Beachy Head. Similar walk to the Seven Sisters, although probably slightly easier, and you get to see the lighthouse.

When the tide is out, the beach at Birling Gap Beach is ideal for a rest and a splash in the sea.

Just one word of caution: The area suffers from extensive erosion and access to areas of the cliffs and the beach may be restricted at short notice in bad weather or due to cliff falls.

If your dog enjoys longer walks, there are several trails across the South Downs that you can explore together. These paths wind through rolling hills, grasslands, and stunning viewpoints, giving you and your dog a full day of adventure.

Access and Facilities

Getting to Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters is relatively straightforward, whether by car or public transport. If you’re driving, the National Trust-managed car park is right next to the beach, free for National Trust members and a reasonable day charge for others. The car park can get busy during peak times, so arriving early is best, especially on sunny weekends.

If you’re using public transport, buses from Eastbourne and Brighton stop on the road by the visitor centre.

Facilities include car parking, toilets, a visitor centre, a shop, and a dog-friendly cafe.

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