A Weekend With the Seven Sisters

Seven Sisters is probably the most iconic hike in England — for good reason!

With a stunning view of the white chalk cliffs of Dover, plenty of nature and greenery, and many iconic sights, this hike is a perfect day trip idea from London!

Each ‘sister’ is a separate hill on the trail, with varying lengths and difficulty levels. The trail is accessible for most ages and fitness levels.

There are also options for shorter routes and plenty of pretty spots to take a break and enjoy the views. If you’re reasonably active, you can leave your trekking poles and heavy gear behind!

Keeping with the theme, I visited Seven Sisters with my sister.

So, there were, in fact, nine sisters when we visited. (Ba-dum-tss)

Although we hiked this in June, the hike can easily be done at any time of year (though you should keep an eye on weather forecasts to avoid especially rainy or windy days).

Though, the trail does truly shine if you manage to hike this during the lovely summer months and take advantage of the sun and blooming wildflowers!

We had a leisurely breakfast at home, as we didn’t need to leave super early to get the hike done before dark.

We set off from Victoria station in London at around 9am and made the 1 hour and 45-minute journey to Seaford.

Seaford is a quaint seaside town surrounded by what looks to be a huge golf course.

There is a pebbly beach, some surfers, and boats.As there was not much else to do of interest, we quickly made our way along the beach to the beginning of the Seven Sisters trail, following the signs along the scenic coast.

The hike alternated between pebbly paths and soft green grass. The best photo opportunity came about an hour into the hike: a sweeping view of the majestic white cliffs against the backdrop of the blue English Channel.

Shortly after, we passed the famous cottage featured in the final bittersweet scene of Atonement, a lovely bonus if you’re a fan of the film!

Around the two-hour mark, we went through a small bit of town, passing by the beautiful Cuckmere Inn. Lots of hikers seemed to be stopping there for a hearty lunch before continuing on.

We had brought a picnic blanket and a packed lunch so we decided to find a spot on one of the Seven Sisters to have a picnic.

It was definitely a bit windy, but the sun was out and we needed to finally rest our sore legs and refuel!

Afterward, we passed the Belle Tout Lighthouse. There is an outdoor sitting area and an eatery.

It’s actually also a bed and breakfast, so you can actually stay there overnight if you want to extend your trip!

In the final stretch, the trail still served us plenty of awesome views. The Beachy Head Lighthouse is another iconic sight of the Seven Sisters hike.

There were also multiple memorials honouring WWII soliders whose last glimpse of their home country would have been these very cliffs of Dover as they departed for war.

We ended the hike in Eastbourne, catching a train back to London. In total, we did the hike in five hours, including the hour-long lunch break.

After the Seven Sisters hike, I’ve become inspired to explore more of England’s coastal trails.

After a quick Google search, I found out that there were many just a short train ride away from London, each with their own unique characteristics — from towering cliffs and historical memorials to museums and serene beaches.

Stay updated as we explore more hikes and day trip ideas for Londoners!

Written by Mika Sudjarwo