The south coast is a wonderful place to visit, so we’ve put together a list of nearby gems to explore. Once you’ve satisfied the wandering bug, we definitely recommend visiting Thai Terre here in East Dean – all that fresh air will certainly work up an appetite!
SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK
Visit the awesome chalk cliffs, a winding river valley and open chalk grassland. The Seven Sisters form part of the chalk cliffs on the Sussex Heritage Coast which is one of Britain’s finest unspoilt coastlines, it is a great place to explore.
BIRLING GAP
Birling Gap is a wonderful place to visit. There is the ancient downland and a marine nature reserve as well as a visitor centre and café. The crashing waves create strange chalk platforms and huge piles of chalk as the cliffs erode them away. As well as the amazing views you’ll see beautiful native flowers and butterflies.
LITLINGTON WHITE HORSE
This chalk horse on High and Over Hill was ccreated in 1924 – apparently the artist snuck out and did It overnight to shock the people who lived nearby in the morning! It was camouflaged during the second World War and then restored in the early 1980s with the help of volunteer work parties.
BELLE TOUT LIGHTHOUSE
In 1828 a wooden lighthouse was built on the top of the cliffs at Beachy Head and was so useful at helping save ships that a permanent lighthouse – Belle Tout – was built in 1832. During World War II, Belle Tout was damaged by Canadian troops who were using it as target practice! Belle Tout was lovingly restored to its former glory in 2010.
ALFRISTON
Alfriston village dates right back to the Domesday Book and the area is thought to have been inhabited since Neolithic times as long barrows can be found in the surrounding hills. Soldiers were based there in the Napoleonic Wars the village turned to smuggling, and the notoriously violent Alfriston gang used the Cuckmere river to bring illegal goods in to the village.