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The South Downs & the White Cliffs: Route Guide

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Seven Sisters cliffs Sussex — The South Downs & the White Cliffs
Photo: Arild Vågen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

From Brighton's pier to Canterbury's shrine, this is England's front door: the chalk wall the Seven Sisters throw up against the Channel, 1066 country, and half-timbered Rye perched above its marsh. English sparkling wine now grows on the same chalk as Champagne. History arrives here first, and it shows.

The South Downs & the White Cliffs is a 170 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for June, built from 314 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
170km
distance
6
Stops
314
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Brighton→ 14 kmLewes→ 28 kmEastbourne & Seven Sisters→ 40 kmRye→ 56 kmDover→ 30 kmCanterbury

What you'll see

Brighton Pier
Stroll along the pier and enjoy views of the sea and waterfront, with rides and arcade attractions.
Brighton
Lewes Castle & Museum
Explore the ruins of a 950-year-old Norman castle built after the Battle of Hastings.
Lewes
Beachy Head
Take in breathtaking views from Britain's highest chalk sea cliff and spot lighthouses.
Eastbourne & Seven Sisters
Winchelsea
Stroll through this quaint rebuilt village with charming streets.
Rye
Dover Castle
Explore 2,000 years of history within its mighty walls.
Dover
Canterbury Cathedral
Witness Gothic grandeur and historic events in a sacred, atmospheric space.
Canterbury
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Explore Brighton's history, culture, and art in an accessible and engaging museum.
Brighton
Anne of Cleves House & Museum
Discover the history within the walls of the Anne of Cleves House, linked to Lewes Castle.
Lewes

Choose your length

3-day plan19 stops · 7.6 h transit6.3 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan26 stops · 7.6 h transit6.5 stops/day · 1.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan35 stops · 7.5 h transit7 stops/day · 1.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

Chalk downland orchids out, the Seven Sisters at their whitest against a blue Channel, and Rye's cobbles free of the August crush.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →