You’ll find East Sussex offers incredible family coastal adventures, from the flat, pushchair-friendly Undercliff Walk between Brighton and Peacehaven to the wildlife-rich Medmerry Nature Reserve where kids can spot avocets and skylarks. Explore Camber Sands’ unique dune systems, take the thrilling Hastings cliff railway, or walk the iconic Seven Sisters at Cuckmere Haven. West Wittering’s sandy beaches and Rye Harbour’s nature trails provide perfect shorter options for little legs, while each destination offers stunning views and memorable experiences that’ll inspire your next coastal exploration.
- West Wittering Beach Circular
- Medmerry Nature Reserve
- Undercliff Walk From Brighton to Peacehaven
- Camber Sands Dune Exploration
- Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters Cliffs
- Eastbourne to Holywell Beach
- Birling Gap to Belle Tout Lighthouse
- Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
- Seaford Head to Hope Gap
- Hastings East Hill Cliff Railway and Coastal Path
- The Sum Up
West Wittering Beach Circular
Starting from the charming sailing village of Itchenor, this 11.5-mile circular adventure takes you and your family through some of East Sussex’s most spectacular coastal scenery. You’ll traverse sandy beaches, salt-marsh paths, and firm gravel trails with minimal steps, making it perfect for children of varying ages and fitness levels.
The route showcases National Trust sand dunes at East Head, offering breathtaking views across Chichester Channel to the Isle of Wight. Your family can enjoy toilet facilities and a café at West Wittering car park, while dogs are welcome throughout the journey.
For shorter family adventures, choose the 6km East Head walk (1.5-2 hours) or the 5.5-mile village circular (2.25 hours). Keep dogs under close control to avoid disturbing the thousands of wading birds and wildfowl that use this area for feeding and resting. Avoid peak summer weekends when crowds reach 15,000 visitors.
Medmerry Nature Reserve
Just west of Selsey, Medmerry Nature Reserve offers your family an extraordinary wildlife adventure across 183 hectares of RSPB-managed wetlands and newly created marshland.
You’ll discover perimeter walks around open expanses of gorse and marsh, with coastal paths leading to stunning sea views across The Solent to the Isle of Wight.
The level paths mix paved, gravel, and grass surfaces, making them perfect for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Your kids will love spotting avocets, skylarks, cormorants, and hundreds of other bird species. The reserve is free for RSPB members, with parking fees or donations requested from non-members.
Don’t miss the unique Periwinkle Shelter art installation that beautifully blends nature and creativity.
Visit early morning for supreme wildlife viewing and fewer crowds.
Bring binoculars and prepare for an unforgettable family birdwatching experience in this tranquil biodiversity haven.
Undercliff Walk From Brighton to Peacehaven
Moving from the peaceful wetlands of Medmerry to the dramatic chalk cliffs of East Sussex, the Undercliff Walk from Brighton to Peacehaven delivers one of the county’s most spectacular coastal experiences for families.
You’ll discover a flat, concrete path that hugs the chalk cliff base beside the sea, making it perfect for pushchairs and young cyclists. The 5km route takes 1-2 hours and offers incredible rockpooling opportunities at low tide.
Start at Brighton Marina or park free at Saltdean Tavern for easier access. Your kids will love spotting flowers and exploring the dramatic cliff scenery.
Don’t miss Ovingdean Cafe’s bargain tea at £1 or Central fish and chips in Peacehaven. The walk also passes The Smugglers Rest pub on South Coast Road for family refreshments.
The path connects to England’s Coastal Path, ensuring well-maintained surfaces throughout your adventure.
Camber Sands Dune Exploration
Three miles of golden sand dunes await your family at Camber Sands, East Sussex’s only natural dune system that stretches right to the Kent border. You’ll discover over 250 plant and animal species while exploring undulating ridges covered in swaying marram grass and sea buckthorn with bright orange berries.
The dunes offer easy walking suitable for all fitness levels, making them perfect for families with young children. You can spot colorful sea rocket flowers dotting the landscape as you wander through this Site of Special Scientific Interest. These dynamic dunes are continuously increasing in size through natural sand accumulation processes.
Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon to avoid summer crowds, and use the multiple car parks with pay-on-entry systems. Remember that gates lock at 8pm, so time your adventure accordingly for this exceptional coastal exploration.
Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters Cliffs
Where the meandering Cuckmere River meets the English Channel, you’ll find one of Britain’s most spectacular coastal walks at Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters Cliffs. This family-friendly adventure offers stunning white chalk cliffs, iconic coastguard cottages, and gentle riverside paths perfect for children.
You can access the area from two sides: Seven Sisters Country Park (east) with paid parking or South Hill Barn (west) with free parking.
The well-paved riverside paths are pushchair-friendly, while older kids will love exploring the shingle beach and spotting wildlife in the saline lagoons. The saline lagoons were created in 1975 specifically as habitats for wading birds, making wildlife watching even more rewarding for families.
Stay several metres from cliff edges due to erosion, but don’t miss the breathtaking views.
At low tide, you can walk along the cliff base safely, making this 350,000-visitor-per-year destination truly unforgettable.
Eastbourne to Holywell Beach
Just east of the Seven Sisters, Eastbourne’s magnificent seafront promenade offers one of the most accessible coastal walks in East Sussex. You’ll cover 4.5 miles of completely flat terrain from central Eastbourne to Holywell beach beneath dramatic cliffs – perfect for families with young children.
The route passes Victorian landmarks including Eastbourne Pier, the historic Wish Tower, and colorful beach huts lining the promenade. You can stop at Helen’s Garden for a break or grab refreshments at Holywell’s waterfront cafe.
Early morning walkers might spot seals at Sovereign Harbour entrance. For those seeking a more challenging extension, the South Downs Way continues westward from the promenade toward Beachy Head, though this involves steep climbs better suited to older children.
Buses run year-round between central Eastbourne and Holywell, making transport easy. Check tide times if you’re planning beach exploration at Holywell, and allow three hours for the full 9-mile round trip.
Birling Gap to Belle Tout Lighthouse
This spectacular 2-mile walk from Birling Gap to Belle Tout Lighthouse delivers some of East Sussex’s most dramatic coastal scenery in just one hour. You’ll start from the free car park at Birling Gap, where there’s a café for pre-walk fuel and beach access for post-walk exploration.
The route’s classified as easy and family-friendly, though you’ll tackle some initial steps from the car park. Your reward? Breathtaking views of the Seven Sisters cliffs, Beachy Head Lighthouse, and the English Channel stretching endlessly ahead. The area supports over 500 acres of chalk grassland teeming with butterflies and wildflowers, making it perfect for nature-loving families.
Belle Tout Lighthouse itself tells a fascinating story – built in 1834 but decommissioned when fog made it ineffective. It was dramatically moved back from the cliff edge in 1999 and now operates as a unique bed and breakfast.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Moving from dramatic clifftop views to wetland wonders, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve offers families a completely different coastal adventure across 465 hectares of diverse habitats near the historic town of Rye.
You’ll explore well-marked trails through saltmarshes, shingle beaches, and reedbeds, spotting avocets, little terns, and barn owls from five strategically placed birdwatching hides.
The Discovery Centre welcomes families with interactive exhibits, while wheelchair-friendly paths ensure everyone can enjoy this wildlife haven.
You can borrow binoculars to observe over 4,300 recorded species, including 300 endangered ones. Guided walks are occasionally available at the reserve, providing insights into habitats and wildlife.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Lime Kiln Cafe provides refreshments, and free parking makes this accessible adventure perfect for families seeking nature’s diversity.
Seaford Head to Hope Gap
Between Seaford’s bustling esplanade and the dramatic Seven Sisters cliffs, you’ll discover one of East Sussex’s most accessible yet spectacular family walks along Seaford Head to Hope Gap. This 3.5km round trip takes roughly an hour, following rabbit-grazed turf dotted with wildflowers parallel to the cliff edge.
You’ll pass colorful beach huts and a Martello Tower before ascending to sweeping views of the white chalk cliffs and Belle Tout lighthouse. The path’s minimal ups and downs make it perfect for children, though you must maintain a safe 5-meter distance from the brittle cliff edges. The route follows no stiles throughout, making it accessible for families with children of all ages.
At Hope Gap, you can explore rocky beaches at low tide while admiring the iconic Seven Sisters vistas. Note that Hope Gap’s steps have been closed since August 2023 due to cliff erosion.
Hastings East Hill Cliff Railway and Coastal Path
When you’re looking for a thrilling start to your coastal adventure in Hastings, the East Hill Cliff Railway offers the perfect blend of excitement and convenience for families. This Grade II listed funicular, Britain’s steepest at a dizzying 38% gradient, whisks you 267 feet up in just 1.5 minutes.
Your kids will love the castle-styled upper station and chapel-like lower station near Rock-a-Nore Road.
Once at the top, you’ll access Hastings Country Park‘s coastal paths with spectacular views over The Stade and Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet. The railway features double track configuration with two 16-passenger cars that operate on electricity rather than the original water balance system.
The short railway journey eliminates steep climbs, making cliff-top walks accessible for young children.
Operating daily year-round, it’s an ideal gateway to scenic coastal paths without the exhausting uphill trek.
The Sum Up
You’ll discover that East Sussex’s coastal walks offer endless adventures for your family. From gentle beach strolls to dramatic cliff-top paths, there’s something perfect for every age and ability. You’re creating memories that’ll last a lifetime while showing your kids the incredible natural beauty right on your doorstep. Pack your walking boots, grab some snacks, and head out to explore these amazing coastal treasures with your little adventurers today!
