The Seven Sisters, Seaford, Alfriston & the Cuckmere Valley Walking Map

Walking in the area of the Seven Sisters, Seaford, Alfriston, and the Cuckmere Valley offers some of the most iconic and varied routes in southern England. The South Downs Way, one of the UK’s most celebrated long-distance footpaths, runs through this region, providing stunning hill walks along the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. These dramatic coastal paths offer sweeping views across the English Channel and are popular for their breathtaking scenery and bracing sea air. The Cuckmere River winds gently through the valley below, with flat riverside walks that lead to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, passing through meadows, marshlands, and past the picturesque meanders of the river.

Heritage and natural beauty are deeply intertwined in this area, which lies within the South Downs National Park. Alfriston is a historic village with timber-framed buildings, a medieval church, and the National Trust’s Clergy House, the first property it ever acquired. Seaford offers coastal charm and access to the disused but scenic railway routes that once linked these coastal towns. While there are no major castles directly on the walking routes, nearby historic homes and the ruins of Lewes Castle are within reach. The Cuckmere Valley, flanked by the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs, stands as a perfect blend of England’s cultural and coastal heritage.