Wild About Here

Home » Photography » The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters

By Kriss MacDonald

Seven Sisters Cuckmere Haven

I spent a couple of days with Luce and Theo on the East Sussex coast this past week. It was really a spur of the moment ‘let’s go and be by the seaside.’ One afternoon we headed for Cuckmere Haven where you have a perfect view of the chalk cliffs of The Seven Sisters.

I actually didn’t realise when I took this photo that this is one of the iconic landscape scenes in Britain.

In the foreground are the Coastguard Cottages which were built shortly after the Coastguard Service was formed in 1822 to crack down on smuggling. The beach at Cuckmere Haven just below, where the South Downs meets the sea, was frequented by smugglers between the 16th and 18th centuries. Defences were put up during World War II in Cuckmere Haven due to Luftwaffe air missions considering the beach as a possible invasion landing site.

Behind are the dramatic chalk cliffs called The Seven Sisters. Each sister has a name: Haven Brow, Short Brow, Rough brow, Brass Point, Flat Hill, Bailey’s Hill and Went Hill. Just after the last peak, in the far distance, stands the Belle Tout lighthouse.

I took Luce and Theo there to go fossil hunting after a morning feeding baby lambs. Despite forgetting my mobile charger at home and no WiFi in my hotel room, I managed to do a quick search on my tablet in the lobby. I found out there was a free parking area in the Seven Sisters Country Park. My satnav told me I had reached my destination in Chyngton Way in Seaford – the nearest post code is BN25 4JQ – but luckily I had read that I should keep driving and follow a small lane up to South Hill Barn. (I’m adding these details in case you plan a visit here!)

Then we walked down a path and saw this view of The Seven Sisters.

Nearby the beaches are perfect for a rockpooling adventure or a cliff walk with an amazing view.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Coombe Mill says

    A great photo of a scene I’ve seen on post cards and in real life so many times. I love the effect you create, it really is postcard like.

  4. Debbie says

    Hi Kriss, your photo does look like a shot from a historical novel. It’s really quite beautiful. And waht an interesting story to go along with the shot.

    xx

  5. JOhn Adams says

    I’ve never been….but I immediately recognised the setting! Seen it on TV etc many times. What a wonderful spot and not a million miles from us as it happens. May have to visit. #MySundayPhoto

  8. Emma T says

    It is a beautiful view, really dreamy and old fashioned with the cottages in the front too. We were only round the other side last week in Eastbourne, but didn’t make it to see the cliffs because we were only there a couple of days. It’s a lovely place to explore.

  11. Bear and Cardigan says

    No wonder this is an iconic view it is beautiful. I love the light in this photo, it is vaguely vintage, all chocolate box but very modern too. Beautiful picture #MySundayPhoto

  13. Molly says

    It is a beautiful view and a stunning part of the English coast. I love how you have captured the remoteness in your image

    Mollyxxx

  15. Neesie says

    An enjoyable post with a fantastic photo Kriss. It was a pleasure to visit.
    Happy Sunday to you and I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

  16. Sherry says

    I’ve never visited before, but it really does look beautiful and is definitely on my list of places I would like to visit #MySundayPhoto

  23. chickenruby says

    I haven’t been to that part of the world for many years, all my mums family come from Sussex and I have a cousin in Seaford. hoping to get down that neck of the woods on my next UK visit

Be the first to know - sign up for the newsletter