With the South Downs meeting the sea in a wall of white chalk, the coast around Eastbourne serves up some of the most spectacular sunsets in the country — the cliffs between Seaford and Beachy Head have even been named among the world’s top 25 places to watch the sun go down. Here’s our guide to the best sunset spots in Eastbourne and along its cliffs.
A quick word on sunrise versus sunset
Here’s a useful bit of local knowledge: Eastbourne’s seafront actually faces east, so you can’t really watch the sun set from the promenade or the pier — the great headland of Beachy Head rises up to the west and blocks the view. What the seafront does brilliantly is sunrise, with the sun climbing out of the sea behind the pier in a blaze of colour. For those glorious sunsets, the trick is to head west out of town and up onto the cliffs, where the horizon opens right up.
Beachy Head
The classic choice is Beachy Head, where England’s highest chalk sea cliffs blaze gold and pink as the sun drops towards the water. The grassy clifftops give enormous, uninterrupted views out to sea and along the coast, and there’s the moving RAF Bomber Command Memorial to see too. On a clear evening it’s simply breathtaking — just remember that the cliff edges here are unstable and constantly eroding, so stay well back and enjoy the spectacle from a safe distance.
Safety first: the chalk cliffs are crumbling and there are no barriers — never sit on, dangle over, or walk close to the edge, and keep children and dogs firmly under control. No photograph is worth the risk.
Belle Tout and Birling Gap
A little further west, the ground around the Belle Tout lighthouse offers a superb, west-facing vantage point, with panoramic views over the Channel and the Seven Sisters (the lighthouse itself is a private B&B). Carry on to Birling Gap and you’ll find what many locals reckon is the finest sunset spot of all — a National Trust site with a café, a shingle-and-sand beach reached by steps, and a wonderfully wild feel. Summer evenings here, watching the light fade over the water, are hard to beat. Read more in our guide to the Seven Sisters and Birling Gap.
More sunset (and sunrise) spots
For a higher, inland viewpoint, Butts Brow and Combe Hill above Willingdon catch beautiful sunsets over the Downs. Down at the western end of the seafront, Holywell and the Italian Gardens enjoy lovely evening light beneath the cliffs. And for sunrise, you’re spoilt: the pier, the eastern beaches and Sovereign Harbour all face the dawn. Better still, the South Downs National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, so once the sun’s gone down you can linger on the cliffs and watch the stars — even the Milky Way — appear on clear autumn and winter nights.
Tips for a great sunset
Check the day’s sunset time and aim to arrive at least half an hour early to find your spot and watch the colours build. The clifftops are exposed and can be chilly and windy even in summer, so bring layers, and take a torch for the walk back once the light goes. It’s the perfect excuse to combine sunset with one of the best walks in Eastbourne — just time it so you’re not descending the cliffs in the dark.
Sunset spots in Eastbourne: FAQs
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Eastbourne?
The cliffs west of town are best — Beachy Head, the area around Belle Tout lighthouse and Birling Gap all offer spectacular west-facing sunset views. Birling Gap is a particular local favourite.
Can you see the sunset from Eastbourne seafront?
Not really — the seafront faces east and Beachy Head blocks the western horizon. The promenade and pier are wonderful for sunrise instead, while for sunset you’ll want to head up onto the cliffs.
Is it safe to watch the sunset at Beachy Head?
Yes, as long as you stay well back from the cliff edge, which is unstable and has no barriers. Enjoy the view from a safe distance on the grassy clifftops, and keep children and dogs close.
Where can I watch the sunrise in Eastbourne?
The east-facing seafront is ideal — the pier at dawn is iconic — as are the eastern beaches and Sovereign Harbour, where the sun rises straight out of the sea.
Chase more views: explore Beachy Head, the Seven Sisters & Birling Gap, and the best walks in Eastbourne.