Cuckmere Haven

Cuckmere Haven is a beautiful coastal nature reserve on the Sussex coast, where the River Cuckmere meanders lazily through flood plains before meeting the English Channel beneath the famous white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. The river's famous meanders and oxbow lakes are one of the best examples of a meandering river in Britain, and there are sweeping views over the valley from the South Downs Way. Families come for the pebble beach and shingle shoreline, where rock pools are revealed at low tide and children can hunt for crabs, shells and flint fossils. The site is also a haven for wildlife - look out for birds on the river and salt marsh, and occasionally seals. There are easy, pushchair-friendly trails down to the beach (including the Cuckmere Audio Trail with storytelling benches), plus longer coastal walks over the Seven Sisters cliffs or along the river valley. The beach itself has no facilities, but the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre, Saltmarsh Cafe, pay and display car parks, picnic areas and toilets are just a short walk away at Exceat. Cuckmere Haven sits within Seven Sisters Country Park and the South Downs National Park, and is free to visit all year round.