Beachy Head
Beachy Head is a chalk headland in East Sussex, England. It is situated close to the town of Eastbourne, on the south coast of England. It is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, rising to 531 feet (162m) above sea level. The cliff is the result of erosion of the softer sand and clay layers by the waves of the English Channel.
Beachy Head is a popular tourist attraction, offering stunning views of the coastline and the surrounding countryside. It is also a site of scientific interest, as it contains fossils of marine creatures that lived millions of years ago. The cliff is home to a variety of birds, such as fulmars, gulls, and peregrine falcons.
Beachy Head is also a place of history and mystery. It has been the location of several battles, such as the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690, when a French fleet defeated an Anglo-Dutch fleet during the Nine Years' War. It has also been the site of numerous shipwrecks, some of which can still be seen at low tide. The most famous of these is the SS Montrose, a Canadian ocean liner that sank in 1918 after hitting a German mine.
Beachy Head is sadly also notorious for being a suicide spot, as many people have jumped off the cliff over the years. There are signs along the edge of the cliff that offer help and advice to anyone who may be feeling suicidal. There are also volunteers from the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team who patrol the area and try to prevent people from taking their own lives.
Beachy Head is a place of beauty and tragedy, of nature and culture, of life and death. It is a place that inspires awe and wonder, but also sadness and compassion. It is a place that deserves respect and care from those who visit it.
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The Beachy Head Story Exhibition & Gift Shop
The Beachy Head Story is a free exhibition that allows visitors to discover the beautiful landscape of Beachy Head and the South Downs. It is located at the former Beachy Head Countryside Centre building on Beachy Head Road.
The exhibition tells the fascinating history of Beachy Head, from its geological formation to its role in World War II, as well as its wildlife, culture and legends. Visitors can learn about the lighthouse, the smugglers, the air battles, the shipwrecks and more through interactive displays, models, videos and artefacts.
One of the artefacts of note is the skeleton of the Beachy Head Lady (or Beachy Head Woman). The Beachy Head Lady is a fascinating figure from the Roman period in Britain. She was an ancient skeleton discovered here around the 1950’s. Her remains were re-examined in 2014 as part of the Eastbourne Ancestors project, which aimed to give back some sort of life story to over 300 sets of human remains excavated from Anglo-Saxon cemeteries.
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Radiocarbon dating suggested that she lived between 125 and 245 AD, during the height of the Roman occupation of Britain. Isotope analysis indicated that she grew up in south-east England, and may have been born in the region. However, DNA analysis revealed that her ancestry was Southern European, most likely from Cyprus. This makes her one of the earliest known people of Southern European origin in Britain (initially, the skull shape led to an assessment that the woman had originated from Sub-Saharan Africa, causing some to erroneously claim that she had been the first known person of sub-Saharan origin in Britain). The Beachy Head Lady was aged around 22 to 25 when she died, and would have stood between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 1 inch tall. She had good teeth and no signs of disease or injury. Her appearance and lifestyle remain a mystery, as no grave goods or clothing were found with her.
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She was exhibited to the public for the first time at the Eastbourne Redoubt (a circular coastal defence fort at Eastbourne) in 2014. In 2021, she was moved to the newly refurbished "Beachy Head Story" visitor centre, closer to where she was found. She is a remarkable example of the diversity and complexity of Roman Britain, and a testament to the long history of migration and cultural exchange in the island.
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The centre also has a popular café and a gift shop which sells local products, souvenirs and books. At the time of writing, the Beachy Head Story Exhibition & Gift Shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm. It is a great place to visit for families, groups and solo travellers who want to discover more about this amazing landmark and its stories.
Birling Gap
A couple of miles west of Beachy Head is Birling Gap, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who enjoy the stunning views of the Seven Sisters cliffs and the English Channel. The area is also rich in wildlife, history and geology, making it a perfect place for nature lovers and adventurers.
Above: Cliff erosion at Birling Gap
Birling Gap is part of the South Downs National Park, which covers 1,600 square kilometres of rolling hills, ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands. The park is home to more than 3,300 species of plants and animals, some of which are rare or endangered. The park also preserves the cultural heritage of the region, with over 5,000 archaeological sites and monuments.
One of the most striking features of Birling Gap is the erosion of the chalk cliffs, which are constantly changing due to the forces of wind and water. The cliffs are receding at an average rate of 0.7 metres per year, creating a dynamic landscape that reveals fossils and rock formations. The erosion also poses a challenge for the residents and visitors of Birling Gap, who have to adapt to the changing coastline.
Birling Gap offers a variety of activities for all ages and interests, such as walking, cycling, birdwatching, photography, fishing and surfing. There is also a visitor centre, a café, a shop and a hotel on site, providing information and facilities for a comfortable stay. Birling Gap is open all year round, but the best time to visit is between April and October, when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom.
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[Photos: 03 April 2023]
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