Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters

Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk and for a well-managed dog it's a genuinely spectacular experience , salt air, chalk turf, and rabbit-scented downland underfoot. The National Trust café at Birling Gap, where most people start, is also on hand for a pre-walk coffee. That said, the terrain is demanding and requires a responsible approach, so it suits owners who are confident handling their dog in exposed, open countryside.

This is not a walk for off-lead dogs without bombproof recall. The chalk cliffs are completely unfenced and actively eroding , the edges are genuinely dangerous, and falls are fatal. Dogs should also be kept on leads through any grazed downland where sheep are present on the slopes.

The main route is a 9.8 km one-way walk from Birling Gap to Exceat, so you'll need to plan a car shuttle or taxi back rather than a circular return. Exposure is total throughout , there's no shelter and the cliff edges are unfenced, so leads are essential on the cliff-top sections. Parking is at the National Trust car park at Birling Gap (BN20 0AB), where you'll also find toilets and a café to set you up before you head out.