🏖️
Brighton & Seven Sisters — Sea, Cliffs, and the Best Day Trip from London
Just 1 hour from London, a vibrant seaside city and stunning white chalk cliffs on England's south coast. The perfect day trip.
Published: 9 March 2026
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,003 as of 2 Apr 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
An hour by train from London and you're at the sea. The colourful seaside city of Brighton, plus the most dramatic coastal scenery in England at the Seven Sisters — this is the ultimate London day trip.
Brighton: England's Barcelona
The closest beach town to London. True to its nickname "London by the Sea," it carries all the energy of the capital but with sea breezes and a free-spirited vibe on top. One of the most open-minded and eclectic cities in the UK.
Must-Visit Spots
Brighton Palace Pier
- A Victorian seaside amusement park opened in 1899. The symbol of Brighton
- Free entry — rides are pay-per-go (£2~5 (approx. ₩4,007~₩10,017))
- Arcade games, candyfloss, and fish & chips enjoyed right over the water
- Great panoramic coastal views from the end of the pier
- Tip: Visit at sunset when the pier lights come on and the atmosphere completely transforms
Royal Pavilion
- Admission £18 (approx. ₩36,059) (£16.50 (approx. ₩33,054) if booked online in advance)
- An Indo-Saracenic palace built by George IV — imagine a Taj Mahal-like building standing in the middle of England
- The bizarre combination of Indian-inspired exterior with Chinese-style interior decor
- Audio guide included (English). Allow about 1~1.5 hours
- Loads of locals picnicking on the front lawn (Pavilion Gardens)
The Lanes & North Laine
- The Lanes — A maze of narrow alleyways dating back to the 17th century. Packed with antique shops, jewellers, and boutiques. Great for window shopping alone
- North Laine — A hip quarter full of vintage shops, record stores, indie cafes, and street art
- The two areas are a 5-minute walk apart. Essential for experiencing Brighton's shopping and cafe culture
- Recommended cafes: Marwood (quirky decor, coffee £3.50 (approx. ₩7,012)), Trading Post Coffee (specialty coffee)
Brighton Beach
- It's a pebble beach, not sand — bring a blanket, and walking barefoot is a bit painful
- In summer, the beach is packed with people sitting around drinking beer (public drinking is allowed)
- Brighton Beach Arches — Cafes, bars, restaurants, and galleries hidden under the arches
- Volks Railway — Britain's oldest electric railway (1883). A mini train running along the seafront (£4.50 (approx. ₩9,015) return)
British Airways i360
- A 162m-tall observation tower. A doughnut-shaped glass pod slowly rises to the top
- Admission £19.50 (approx. ₩39,064) (£17.50 (approx. ₩35,058) online)
- On a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight
- Honest take: Many say it doesn't compare to the London Eye in terms of impact. Worth it on a clear day, skip it if it's overcast
💡 Brighton Food Guide
- Fish & Chips: Bankers (local favourite, £9~12 (approx. ₩18,030~₩24,040)), The Little Fish Market (upscale, booking essential)
- Brunch: The Breakfast Club (expect a queue), Lucky Beach Cafe (right on the beach)
- Indian food: Curry Leaf Cafe (Brighton has a large Indian community, so the Indian food here is excellent)
- Street food: Brighton Open Market — open daily, international street food (£5~8 (approx. ₩10,017~₩16,026))
Brighton Half-Day to Full-Day Itinerary
Half Day (4~5 hours)
- 10:00 Arrive at Brighton station → 10-min walk → Royal Pavilion
- 11:30 The Lanes → North Laine stroll + cafe stop
- 12:30 Lunch (near The Lanes or Brighton Open Market)
- 13:30 Brighton Beach → Palace Pier walk
- 14:30 Head back to London or continue to the Seven Sisters
Full Day
- 09:30 Arrive at Brighton station → Royal Pavilion
- 11:00 North Laine vintage shopping + brunch
- 12:30 Stroll through The Lanes
- 13:30 Beach walk → Palace Pier
- 15:00 Bus to Seven Sisters (12A bus, about 40 minutes)
- 15:45 Seven Sisters hike (2~3 hours)
- 18:30 Return to Brighton → sunset on the beach + dinner
Seven Sisters: England's Most Beautiful Coastal Cliffs
About 20km east of Brighton. Seven white chalk cliffs rolling one after another like waves. Many say they're even more beautiful than the White Cliffs of Dover. A completely unspoiled, building-free natural coastline.
Essential Info
- Official name: Seven Sisters Country Park
- Admission: Free (car park is paid)
- Parking: Exceat (Seven Sisters Country Park) car park — £6~8 (approx. ₩12,020~₩16,026)/day, cash and card accepted
- Difficulty: Moderate — undulating hills with repeated climbs and descents. Trainers as a minimum, proper walking shoes recommended
- Duration: 2~4 hours (depending on how far you walk)
- Toilets: Next to the Visitor Centre. None along the trail
Recommended Hiking Routes
Route 1: Seaford Head Viewpoint (Most Popular)
- Start: Exceat Car Park (Visitor Centre) or from the Seaford side
- Distance: About 5km round trip, 1.5~2 hours
- From Seaford Head you can capture all Seven Sisters cliffs in a single frame
- This is "that angle" you've seen on Instagram and in every tourism photo
- Go right to the cliff edge, but there are no fences — don't get too close to the edge
Route 2: Walking Along the Cliff Tops (Seven Sisters Walk)
- Start: Exceat Car Park → follow the River Cuckmere to the beach → up onto the cliffs
- Distance: About 5.5km one way (to Birling Gap), 2~3 hours
- Walk along the tops of all 7 cliffs, experiencing every climb and descent
- At Birling Gap there are steps down to the beach (National Trust cafe and toilets)
- Return via the same route or loop back on an inland path
Route 3: Beachy Head (Extended Route)
- Continue east from Birling Gap to reach Beachy Head — England's tallest chalk cliff (162m)
- The spectacular sight of the red-and-white-striped Beachy Head Lighthouse standing in the sea below the cliff
- Birling Gap → Beachy Head is about 3km one way, 1 hour
- Full route (Exceat → Birling Gap → Beachy Head): About 8.5km one way, 3~4 hours
⚠️ Safety Warnings
- There are no fences at the cliff edge — Stay at least 2m back from the edge. Especially on windy days
- The cliffs are constantly eroding — The ground at the edge can suddenly collapse
- On the beach below, there's a risk of rockfall — Don't stand directly under the cliffs
- Always check the weather — In fog, the cliff edges become invisible and extremely dangerous
- Avoid hiking in heavy rain or strong winds
Seven Sisters Photography Tips
- Best photo spot: The panoramic view of the Seven Sisters from Seaford Head
- Best light: Afternoon (the cliffs face west, so they glow white in the afternoon sun)
- Check the tides: At low tide, the exposed beach makes the scenery below the cliffs more dramatic
- The difference between a clear day and an overcast day is massive — blue sky + white cliffs + green grass is the winning combination
Getting There
London → Brighton
| Transport | Departure | Journey Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (recommended) | London Victoria / London Bridge | About 1 hour | Advance £10 (approx. ₩20,033) |
| Coach (National Express) | Victoria Coach Station | About 2 hours | £5~12 (approx. ₩10,017~₩24,040) |
- Southern / Thameslink / Gatwick Express — all three services are available
- Direct trains from Victoria are the fastest and most convenient
- Off-Peak tickets (departing after 09:30) are significantly cheaper
Brighton → Seven Sisters
| Transport | Journey Time | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12A bus | About 40 min | £4~5 (approx. ₩8,013~₩10,017) one way | Get off at Exceat (Seven Sisters Country Park) stop |
| Taxi/Uber | About 25 min | £25~35 (approx. ₩50,083~₩70,116) | Worth considering if splitting between a group |
| Rental car | About 25 min | Parking £6~8 (approx. ₩12,020~₩16,026) | Maximum flexibility |
- 12A bus: Departs from Brighton Old Steine stop → towards Eastbourne. Runs roughly every 30 min~1 hour
- Take the same bus (12A) back from Exceat on the return. Always check the last bus time (usually around 20:00~21:00)
London → Seven Sisters (Direct)
- Train: London Victoria → Eastbourne (1 hour 30 min, £15~30 (approx. ₩30,050~₩60,099)) → 12X bus to Seven Sisters Country Park (20 min)
- Takes slightly longer than going via Brighton, but a good option if the Seven Sisters is your only destination
Recommended Day Trip Itineraries
Plan A: Brighton + Seven Sisters (Full Day)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | London Victoria → Brighton (1-hour train) |
| 09:30 | Arrive at Brighton station → Royal Pavilion |
| 10:30 | North Laine + The Lanes stroll + brunch |
| 12:00 | Beach walk + Palace Pier |
| 13:00 | 12A bus → Seven Sisters (40 min) |
| 14:00 | Seven Sisters hike — Seaford Head viewpoint route (2 hours) |
| 16:00 | Break at the Visitor Centre cafe |
| 16:30 | 12A bus → back to Brighton |
| 17:30 | Sunset on Brighton Beach + dinner |
| 19:30 | Brighton → London Victoria (1-hour train) |
Plan B: Seven Sisters Focus (Nature Hike)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | London Victoria → Eastbourne (1.5-hour train) |
| 09:30 | 12X bus → Seven Sisters Country Park |
| 10:00 | Full Seven Sisters route: Exceat → Cliffs → Birling Gap → Beachy Head (4 hours) |
| 14:00 | Lunch at Birling Gap National Trust cafe |
| 15:00 | Beachy Head views + lighthouse |
| 16:00 | Bus to Eastbourne → train back to London |
Seasonal Appeal
| Season | Appeal | Things to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr~May) | Wildflowers on the cliffs, mild weather, fewer tourists | Wind can still be chilly |
| Summer (Jun~Aug) | Peak beach season, long days, Brighton Pride (August) | High season — trains and beaches get very crowded |
| Autumn (Sep~Oct) | Cliffs bathed in golden light, peaceful atmosphere | Sun sets earlier — start hiking before 16:00 |
| Winter (Nov~Feb) | Dramatic waves, empty cliffs, a photographer's season | Frequent strong winds and rain, cliff hiking can be dangerous |
ℹ️ Brighton Pride (August)
Every first weekend of August, Brighton Pride — the UK's biggest LGBTQ+ festival. Parades, outdoor performances, and parties take over the entire city. Brighton is at its most festive, but accommodation and train tickets sell out fast, so book early.
0/7 완료
Practical Advice
- Brighton alone is enough for a full day trip — Adding the Seven Sisters makes for a pretty packed schedule. Factor in your energy levels and available time
- Seven Sisters is all about the weather — On an overcast day it's just grey cliffs. On a sunny day it's the photo of a lifetime. Check the forecast and aim for a clear day
- Summer weekend trains to Brighton are a battle — Londoners all head for the beach. Trains get extremely crowded, so leave early or book an Advance ticket with a reserved seat
- Don't set your expectations too high for the pebble beach — If you're expecting sand, you'll be disappointed. Brighton's charm is more about the city vibe than the beach itself
- The only toilets at Seven Sisters are at the starting point — Make sure you go before setting off. The next ones aren't until Birling Gap
- The wind is genuinely strong — It's exposed coastline, so even in summer bring a windproof layer