Sussex has many miles of beautiful coastline ....this time we talk about Birling Gap.
Birling Gap is one of my favourite spots on the Sussex coastline which provides many attractions to lovers of the countryside. Sitting on the end of the Seven Sisters, the iconic cliffs that in my humble opinion knock spots off those at Dover, it presents the walker and the casual drop in family in a car with plenty.
Walking from Birling Gap presents more than a few choices, either walking over the Seven Sisters towards Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters Country Park, walking east back towards Beachy Head, or inland, perhaps to East Dean via Cuckmere.
For less able or inclined to walk, there relatively easy access to the views by stopping at the National Trust car park at Birling Gap. Whilst not suitable for all, a walk down the steps onto the pebble beach is well worth it as the cliffs look even more impressive from below.
For those of the fitter (and perhaps slightly madder) disposition this may interest you. If you don't fancy running Birling Gap is a great spot to watch the runners in the annual Beachy Head marathon (held on 26th October in 2013). This used to be organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association when it was known as the Seven Sisters Marathon and in my day the feed station wasn’t gels and electrolyte drinks but rice pudding and tea!
If you are into geology come and see the echinoids (sea urchins to most of us!), sponges (from the Cuckmere sponge bed) and molluscs that can be found at low tide. The chalk cliffs are from the Cretaceous age (some 85 million years old) and the rock is known as Lewes and Seaford Chalk. The chalk is exposed on the beach in parts in what is known as a wavecut platform.
And not forgetting the animals keep an eye out for starfish on the beach at low tide and the sheep at the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre on the way to East Dean – a must in the spring.
You will know that soon after your visit the view will have changed forever as parts of the cliff gradually erode away. So come and visit soon!
Further images of the beautiful Sussex coastline can be viewed here http://www.pulsefoto.co.uk/Sussex.html .
