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The Snake River and Cuckmere Haven

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Our view

"Follow a breezy trail beside the Cuckmere River as it winds in erratic fashion towards the sea."

Walk directions

From the car park, go through the gate by the parking ticket machine and Seven Sisters Country Park notice board and map, and follow the wide, grassy path signed ‘Beach Trail’. The path gradually curves to the right, running parallel to a concrete track. The Cuckmere River meanders beside you, heading for the sea. Continue ahead and make for a South Downs Way sign.

Reach a junction with the South Downs Way, avoiding the track to the left over a cattlegrid signposted to Foxhole Campsite. Carry on along through a gate, forking left on the South Downs Way at the next signpost. At the following gate do not follow the South Downs Way uphill but keep right along low ground with the hillside and fence on your left. Pass a group of wartime pill boxes, and go through a gate. Join a stony path and walk ahead to the beach, with the white wall of the Seven Sisters rearing up beside you.

Turn right and cross the shore via the shingle beach. Turn right when you reach the river and drop to an Emergency Point sign. Go ahead for about 50yds (46m) until you come to a junction by a line of toothlike concrete wartime tank traps and keep left, following the Park Trail. Keep beside the Cuckmere. The landscape here is characterised by a network of meandering channels and waterways, all feeding into the river. Keep left at the next fork and follow the footpath as it veers left, in line with the Cuckmere. Continue on the straight path by the side of the river.

Cross the road beside Exceat Bridge. Turn left then immediately right through a kissing gate to continue with the Cuckmere on your left, following the riverside path through this delightful, though lonely, valley. Swans may be seen gliding on the water. Head for a kissing gate, continue over two stiles and look for a path on the right, just before a stile.

Take the path away from the Cuckmere, following it between trees and bushes. Go through a kissing gate then cross a stile, turn left at the road and pass the entrance to Charleston Manor. Pevsner described Charleston as ‘a perfect house in a perfect setting’. Parts of it date from the early 12th century, and the house is renowned for its truly splendid gardens and 15th-century double tithe barn.

Continue for a few paces and turn right to join an unwaymarked path, with a wooden fence to your right. Merge with the South Downs Way and the Vanguard Way and keep right at the fork. Climb the steps and follow the signs for the South Downs Way first south, then southeast through Friston Forest. Cut through beech woodland to an obvious junction.

Turn right here and drop straight down to the picturesque hamlet of Westdean, lying half-hidden in a wooded hollow. The church dates mostly from the 14th century, and rectory is probably Norman. Join the road on a bend and continue ahead to a junction. Cross over and walk ahead to a flight of steps.

Make for a stone stile at the top of the steps, where there are glorious views of the Cuckmere River below winding away towards the sea. This certainly has to be one of the most dramatic and memorable views in all of Sussex. Descend the steep, grassy hillside and make for a kissing gate by the visitor centre. Cross the road and return to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Grassy trails and well-used paths, mostly beside the Cuckmere or canalised branch of the river, as well as thick woodland, several stiles

Landscape - Exposed and isolated valley and river mouth

Dog friendliness - Under close control within Seven Sisters Country Park; on lead during lambing season, near roads and in Friston Forest

Parking - Car park at Seven Sisters Country Park

Toilets en route - Opposite car park, by visitor centre

About the walk

One of the few remaining undeveloped river mouths in the southeast is the gap or cove known as Cuckmere Haven. It is one of the south coast’s best-known and most popular beauty spots. The Cuckmere River joins the English Channel here, but not before it makes a series of extraordinarily wide loops...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

East Sussex is a land of stately homes, castles and the South Downs, with miles of chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. For history buffs, there are a great many historic landmarks within Sussex, such as the battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, or visitors can enjoy pretty towns such as Lewes, Rye and Uckfield and the city of Brighton.