Beachy Head
It was an intrepid group that set out from Eastbourne to face a westerly gale in order to walk from east to west along the Seven Sisters cliffs.And being the London Walking group we achieved our aim, slightly sneering at those poor people skipping along in the opposite direction with little idea of what awaited them.
Unable to eat lunch on the beach owing to the gale we hunkered down in the car park and then, undeterred by the Beachy Head mental health mission car that cruised around, we set off into the wind again towards Cuckmere Haven Stirred by magnificent seascapes we had a high sense of achievement when we arrived safely sufficient to be rewarded with ice creams A scenic bus ride took us back to Eastbourne and a game of bridge to keep the stimulation going until safely home
Best reached from London by the 8.47 from Victoria, arriving 10.11. Return should be by the 16.59, arriving Victoria 18.26
a.m. - To Eastbourne sea front, then along until the land rises up to Beachy Head. From there, continue along the cliff top and down to Birl ing Gap for lunch. On the way we will pass Belle Tout, a converted lighthouse (B&B available) which was shifted bodily inland from the cliff edge 17 years ago. (At Birling Gap, 35 feet of land has been lost to the sea over the last twenty years.)
p.m. - Continue westwards along the Seven Sisters until the cliffs are breached at Cuckmere Haven by the Cuckmere River with its fine meanders and lagoons. Down to the river and inland along it to Exceat Bridge and the bus back to Eastbourne. (There are four buses an hour so we should not have long to wait.)
The old cafe and pub at Birling Gap have been taken over by the National Trust and what was the pub has become a Visitor Centre. Their cafe does a limited range of hot food - soup, baked potatoes and stew - also salads, sandwiches and cakes, and a range of drinks including wine, beer and cider. Steps provide access to t he shingle beach below the cliffs and I recommend bringing a picnic to eat down there - a wonderful place. But you could get the makings of a picnic from the cafe; or you might prefer to eat there though it can get very crowed.
- A walk along some of the finest chalk cliffs in England with spectacular coastal views. Given the undulant nature of the cliff top, it is a walk with plenty of "ups and downs", some quite steep.
Some may be tempted to swim at Birling Gap or from the beach at Cuckmere Haven, and there may be time for a drink at the Cuckmere Inn at Exceat Bridge or tea at the Saltmarsh Cafe.
Please bear in mind that you walk with the London Walking Group ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK
Please check the website http://www.londonwalkinggroup.org.uk and the Yahoo Group email for up to date information and lift shares.