Beachy Head Guide: Lighthouse, Belle Tout & Best Views

Beachy Head, just west of Eastbourne, is where the South Downs meet the sea in a sheer white wall of chalk. At about 162 metres, it is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, and on a clear day the views stretch along the whole coast.

What to see

Beachy Head lighthouse

The famous red-and-white striped lighthouse stands in the sea below the cliff. It was built in 1902, is about 33 metres tall and has been automated since 1983. Its stripes were originally black and white; they became red in the 1950s. When repainting was at risk in 2011, a public campaign raised the money to keep them.

Belle Tout lighthouse

On the clifftop to the west stands Belle Tout, an older lighthouse first lit in the 1830s. It was often hidden by sea mist, so it was replaced by the lighthouse below. In 1999, with the cliff edge only a few metres away, the whole building was moved about 17 metres inland on hydraulic jacks. Today it is a private guest house.

The clifftop

Wide grassy slopes run along the top, with views west towards the Seven Sisters and east over Eastbourne. There is a pub and pay-and-display parking near the top.

Best viewpoints

• Above the lighthouse: look down on the stripes against the sea from the grass, staying well back from the edge.
• Towards Belle Tout: walk west for a view back along the cliffs with Belle Tout on the skyline.
• From Birling Gap: the clifftop path east gives a gradual reveal of the cliffs and lighthouse.

Getting there

By car, Beachy Head is about 10 minutes from Eastbourne. The seasonal coastal bus between Brighton and Eastbourne serves Beachy Head, usually on summer Sundays and bank holidays; check current timetables first. A coach day tour includes it alongside Birling Gap and Seaford Head.

Safety

The cliff edge is unfenced and the chalk can crumble. Stay well back, keep to the paths in strong wind, and keep children and dogs close.

Related: Birling Gap guide · Best time to visit