Hope Gap
From South Hill Barn car park, Seaford
- distance
- 2.4 km
- the stile score
- 2 stiles
- circular, about
- 1 hour 30 minutes
Seen farm animals on this walk? Tell us, and we'll check it for the next walker. If cattle come towards you.
Hello from the sticker at Seascapes and Saltmarsh Trail. Here's what we know, for you and your dog. More dog-friendly places nearby
Cleo & Bonnie haven't walked this one yet. Everything here is from its publisher, with the date it shows.
The stiles
The directions cross 2 stiles: one in the fence before the climb past Harry's Bush, and one in the field corner just before the car park. There are also 2 gates and a cattle grid.
Livestock
The trail page doesn't say, but the route crosses a cattle grid, and Seaford Head's own guidance is leads when sheep are grazing (Sussex Wildlife Trust manages the reserve).
The ground
Short but steep in two places: the 'steep, short hill' after the steps at Hope Gap, and the climb past Harry's Bush. Steps down to Hope Gap, the top of the shingle bank at Cuckmere Haven, and a valley floor that 'can be muddy in winter'.
For dogs
'Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads where indicated. Please clean up after your dog.' Keep dogs well back from the cliff edges and the foot of the cliffs, and out of the river mouth: at high tide it is deep, with a current that runs out to sea, and blue-green algae was found in the meanders in summer 2026 (see Cuckmere Haven on our beaches page).
Walked it with your dog? Tell us how it was
Mud, animals, how busy: a few taps. The answers (never your words or name) show here for three weeks, to help the next walker.
The route
Start South Hill Barn car park, Seaford (BN25 4AB)
The directions and the map are on the publisher's own site.
National Trust · undated
On the Downs
Between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be on a short lead (2 metres or less) on open access land, and near livestock at any time of year. Since 18 March 2026, a dog that worries livestock on a road or path, not just on farmland, is an offence.
The CROW Act 2000, Schedule 2; the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 as amended, in force 18 March 2026 (legislation.gov.uk).
If something goes wrong out there, an adder bite, a lost dog, a vet at night: help and emergencies.