There are three different ways to walk to Beachy Head Lighthouse. You can walk from Holywell in Eastbourne, from Birling Gap or from Beachy Head. This is the Beachy Head route.
Beachy Head Lighthouse
Beachy Head Lighthouse is a red and white striped lighthouse, just off the coast at Beachy Head. It is 33 m high and became operational in October 1902 to replace the Belle Tout. It was fully electrified in 1975 and completely automated in 1983. At low tide, you can walk to the base of the lighthouse but it is still operational and you cannot go inside it. Nonetheless, it makes for an interesting adventure!
Warnings
This is not a walk for the faint hearted and comes with a few warnings:
- You need to do this walk at low tide and allow plenty of time. The distance from the steps that take you to the beach at Cow Gap to the lighthouse is only 1.74 km but it’s very slow and difficult walking. If you do not leave enough time and the tide comes in, you will be stranded. From the lighthouse back to the steps takes about an hour. Therefore, allow at least two hours walking – one hour there, one hour back, plus however long you want to stay at the lighthouse.
- You’ll be tempted to walk close to the bottom of the cliffs as it looks easier and less rocky than walking further out. However, dangerous cliffs falls are frequent so resist the temptation.
- It’s difficult walking conditions as you have to climb over rocks, boulders, stones and seaweed. It’s slippery and there is very limited phone network. Wear appropriate footwear and go with someone / tell someone what you’re doing.
Beachy Head to Cow Gap
It is 1.58 km from the top at Beachy Head to the beach. Park at the Beachy Head car park at The Beachy Head Story Cadence Club. Cross the road, and walk towards the trig point and the Bomber Command Memorial.
You will see a steep path ahead which goes down towards the sea. Take care going down. At the bottom, go left and follow the path along the edge of the cliff towards Eastbourne until you see Cow Gap.
Turn right here and descend the narrow path down and along until you reach a set of steps down to the beach. Beware: there is quite a big gap between the bottom step and the beach.
Cow Gap to the Beachy Head Lighthouse
Turn right (to the west) and follow the beach. As you round the first major bit of headland, you’ll start to get your first glimpses of the lighthouse. It is less than 2 km but it takes time to pick and weave your way in and out of rocks, stones, boulders, rockpools and more rocks. It’s an extraordinary landscape and the cliffs feel unbelievably big when you’re at sea level. Look out for a number of different caves in the cliff face.
As you arrive at the lighthouse, with towering cliffs to your right and the sea and lighthouse to your left, it can feel a little intimidating. On my visit, there were also some fun driftwood structures on a ledge of rocks as well.
You can get really close to the foot of the lighthouse which is an unusual experience. When you’ve finished, either retrace your steps or walk on to Birling Gap, climb the steps there and walk back to the car via the coastal path. If you’re retracing your steps, bear in mind you have a steep climb back up to Beachy Head.
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