Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, with their dramatic white cliffs and gently undulating downs, is an area of outstanding natural beauty and superficial tranquillity which belies its proximity to the busy south eastern towns of England and the turmoil and drama that has been characteristic of the location over the centuries.

 

The Beachy Head Countryside Centre is a not for profit organisation run and managed by Voluntary Supporters. The Countryside Centre located at the top of Beachy Head is free and includes the Downland Experience, a special walk through the history of the downs where you can meet The Talking Shepherd, the Saxon man plus experience the feel and sound of the local wildlife. There is also the Gift Shop and the Sussex Gallery, full of local artist's works, photographs and pictures. Parking and Toilets are available nearby.

 

Beachy Head is famous for its associations with smuggling in the 19th century. It was the scene of many incidents with the Preventive Service. Smuggling was rife in the early 19th century and was an integral component in supporting the ailing rural economy during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Many mysteries are associated with Beachy Head, in particular the disappearance of John Osborn and his wife Caroline who farmed the land at Beachy Head in the 1850s. If you know more about the mystery of this couple and the subseqent appearance of her ghost please email bruce@britishnationalparks.com  who is carrying out a detailed study.

 

Other famous events on Beachy Head include the moving of the Belle Tout Lighthouse in the 1990s to prevent it falling into the sea. Destined soon to become a National Park, the South Downs is epitomised by the unique chalk cliffs. Beachy Head is the most famous part of the Eastbourne Downland. The cliff rises 162 metres (530 feet) above the sea below and is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. One reason for Beachy Head's popularity is the wonderful panoramic view which can be seen from the cliff top. If you look east you see the beaches and town of Eastbourne, the Pier and the Harbour, and then on to Pevensey Bay and Hastings and, on an exceptionally clear day, Dungeness in Kent, nearly 40 miles away.

Email: bruce@thespas.co.uk (click here to send an email)

By Train- There are regular train services from London Victoria and Gatwick to Eastbourne. From Eastbourne Beachy Head and East Dean is a 10 minute drive away in a taxi or the 712 and 713 buses will take you to East Dean. If you’d prefer to walk from the station head towards the Sea and follow the South Downs Way.

By Car - From Brighton/A23 take the A27 towards Eastbourne. At Polegate turn right towards Eastbourne. Follow A259 towards Newhaven & Brighton. Follow signs to Beachy Head

By Bus - The 712 runs every 15 minutes during the day between Brighton and Eastbourne, stopping at East Dean. On Weekends and Bank holidays there is a 713 service which follows the coast road around to Beachy Head.

On Foot - The Grid reference for The Village Green is OS Explorer Map 123, 556 977 from here please refer to the map.