Cuckmere Haven from Exceat

From the Seven Sisters Country Park car park at Exceat the walk goes through the gate by the cattle grid and down the valley on the park's main track. It is a concrete road at first, with the old meanders of the Cuckmere on the right; a straight channel was dug for the river in the 1800s and the loops were left behind. After about 2 km it reaches the shingle beach at Cuckmere Haven, at the foot of the first of the Seven Sisters. The return is the same way.

It is 4.2 km and flat, with 0 m of ascent; allow about 1 hour. The grade is Easy: the track is firm and level, and only the shingle at the end is awkward.

Do not try to cross the river at its mouth: the water is deep at high tide and the current strong. Keep at least 5 m back from the cliff edge and from the foot of the cliffs. Stock graze the park all year, parts are roped off for nesting birds from March to September, and dogs should be kept out of the meanders and lagoons.

The car park charges: £3.50 for up to two hours when checked. The nearest station is Seaford, about 4 km away. Buses 12, 12A and 12X between Brighton and Eastbourne stop at the visitor centre.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.