Exceat Cuckmere Valley Wildlife Exploration Tour

The Cuckmere valley and estuary is a unique and beautiful area in Sussex, England, where the river Cuckmere meets the English Channel. The valley is rich in wildlife and history, with many features to explore and enjoy.
One of the most distinctive features of the valley is the meandering river, which forms a series of loops and bends as it flows to the sea. The river has been shaped by natural processes and human interventions over centuries. The valley was once a tidal salt marsh, but it was drained and embanked for agriculture and flood protection.

The valley is home to a variety of habitats and species, including rare chalk grassland, salt marsh, shingle beach, wetland and woodland. The area is a haven for birds, such as lapwings, curlews, redshanks and skylarks. It also supports many wildflowers, such as yellow horned poppies, sea purslane and glasswort. Butterflies, such as the Adonis blue and the chalkhill blue, can be seen flying over the grassland.

Meeting Point

Seven Sisters Country Park

E Dean Rd, Seaford BN25 4AD, UK

To get to Exceat, you can catch a bus, an Uber, a cab or park your car at Exceat and meet us at 08h45 am just below the bus stop. I will be waiting for you... I have never lost anyone yet. Parking can be found behind the visitor centre, please do not forget to pay for your parking.

What to expect:

Duration: between 5 hours and 6 hours

Exceat

Exceat, Seaford BN25 4AD, UK

Exceat visitor centre is a place where you can learn more about the Seven Sisters Country Park, a beautiful area of chalk cliffs and grassland by the English Channel. The visitor centre is located in an 18th century barn that has displays and exhibitions about the history and wildlife of the park. You can also buy maps, souvenirs and refreshments at the shop. Next to the visitor centre, there is a farmhouse restaurant that serves delicious food and drinks. Exceat visitor centre is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm (4 pm on Sundays).
We will discuss safety and general rules to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.

30 minutes

Seven Sisters Country Park

East Dean Road, Seaford, BN25 4AD

We will hike briefly around the Salt Marshes in the Estuary where we will see several species of birds with the hope that we may see the elusive Kingfisher. Seven Sisters Country Park is a scenic area of coastline in East Sussex, England. It is named after the seven chalk cliffs that form a series of hills along the shore. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, and wildflowers.

1 hour

Friston Forest

Friston Down Old Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, BN20 0AT

A thick wooded area containing Rookeries and many forest loving birds such as Jays. We will pass through the hidden village of East Dean where you can photograph some of the quaint homes from the street if you wish.

Pass by without stopping

Litlington White Horse

Seaford BN25 4AJ, UK

Our route will take you past the interesting white horse of Litlington which is a great photography opportunity.

15 minutes

Exceat Bridge

Exceat Bridge, Seaford BN25 4AB, UK

We will cross over the road and pass the Cuckmere Inn where you can stop, have a comfort break and relax for a short while. We will then enter the gate heading to the Seaford Head Nature Reserve.

30 minutes

Coastguard Cottages

1-2 CoastGuard Cottages, Seaford, BN25 4AR

The Coastguard Cottages are a group of historic buildings located near the coast of England. They were built in the 19th century to house the officers and men who were responsible for preventing smuggling and enforcing maritime law. Some of the cottages are now available for holiday rentals, offering stunning views of the sea and the cliffs. The Coastguard Cottages are also popular attractions for visitors who want to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area and take photos of the iconic landscape.

30 minutes

Seaford

Seaford

Splash Point is a large sea defence that was built to protect the coast from erosion. You can see the remains of an older groyne that used to guard the old sewer outlet in the 19th century. Near Splash Point, you can also find the brick wall that marked the edge of Cliff Cottage, a former residence that was demolished in the 1960s.
As you walk along the cliffs, you can spot some of the seabirds that nest there, such as kittiwakes. These birds migrate from the Arctic and North Atlantic to breed on the cliffs. They have black-tipped wings and yellow bills, and they make loud calls that sound like "kittee-wa-aaake".

30 minutes

Exceat

Exceat, Seaford BN25 4AD, UK

We will return to the Saltmarsh Café for a Free hot drink and to summarise the day.

30 minutes