Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, where the South Downs meets the English Channel, is popular with tourists, but some visitors were today seen taking selfies close to a sheer drop
These incredible photographs show tourists risking their lives by sitting on the edge of cliffs today.
Authorities have now warned visitors at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters in East Sussex to stay well away from the sheer drop down to the base of the chalk cliffs. The National Trust, which manages the site, reminded guests the cliffs are “very fragile” and “can become unstable”.
The pictures taken today follow several other near misses at the same attraction in recent years, including the moment a sightseer took a selfie right on the edge of the peak in September 2024. In a bid to sustain tourism at Birling Gap last year, the National Trust banned coaches from the site.
But, nevertheless, the behaviour of tourists visiting Birling Gap today worried the National Trust and HM Coastguard. Photographs show the visitors dicing with death as the sweltering heatwave continued today.
The cliffs there are highly unstable, and significant rockfalls can occur without warning, particularly during or after periods of heavy rain or storms.
The National Trust warns: “Our white cliffs and beautiful but also very fragile. They may appear safe to stand on, but chalk is soft rock that can become unstable through heavy rain, frost, sun or undercut by wind and wave action.
“The sea comes in and out twice a day and often reaches the base of the cliffs. Make sure you can always safely exit the beach keeping platform steps in sight.”
Earlier this year, visitors to Birling Gap were unable to reach the beach after a major cliff collapse. The beauty spot near Eastbourne was closed after tonnes of rock fell and damaged the steps, which give access to the beach.
Wealden District Council said it hoped to have it open for the busy summer season after completing an investigative survey.
And in Spring last year visitors were warned to stay away from the edge of the cliffs after a new crack appeared.
The National Trust said the fresh crack in the cliff meant a chunk of it “could collapse at any time”.
A spokesperson warned: “For your own safety, always stay well away from the cliff edges. It isn’t safe to sit or stand close to the edge or base of the cliffs as they may be unstable or undercut in places and can fall without warning.
“We urge all visitors to be responsible and stay safe, by keeping back from the cliff edges and bases when visiting the area.”
The trust said the coastline was constantly changing due to natural erosion processes which, over centuries, had shaped the cliffs at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters.
More than 600,000 people visit Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters cliffs each year.