Day trips from London #5 - Seven sisters and Brighton
Continuing with the self arranged trips, this one is with a slightly bigger group with experienced travellers (I too gained some by then🙂). We started later in the day than planned, got the group tickets (for almost half the price it could have been if taken individually) and reached Brighton station. We took a bus from the station and got day family passes from the driver (again price reduced to almost half). After about a hour long ride, we reached seven sisters around lunchtime.
We got a map from a travel store next to the bus stop and there are 2 routes to go the shore - one leads us to the beach and closer the cliff, however, we couldn't get the iconic view of all the seven cliffs, the other route is parallel to the first and leads us to an elevated ground area with the view of seven sisters but no access to the beach. Each takes 30-45 mins from the place we stood which means going to both places require 2-3 hrs of walking (as there are no short cuts and we had to come back all the way back and go to the next place) and, considering at least half hour for lunch, we barely get 30 mins to spend near the shore. Instead we decided to have a leisure lunch and picked the first route to the beach and get content with the view of one cliff.
We went up to the restaurant nearby, not that we have options - I think there is only one more eatery nearby and an ice cream truck. Quite a few cars arrived, equipped with cycles and sports gear.
The restaurant seemed like grandparents' house in our villages renovated to it's best - whitewashed walls, small courtyard with 3-4 tables, a tap in the corner with glass bottles and bakery indoors where desserts are displayed. We got the table in the shade of a tree, ground is slightly uneven - enough to notice but not to the extent of making us feel uncomfortable. Menu is quite brief and contained very few categories - sandwiches, salads and soups I don't exactly remember what we ordered - it went like veggie salad, a meat dish with noodles, chocolate cake from the bakery, red wine and orange juice to cover the group. I am glad we decided to prioritize lunch - it was a good start for our mini trek.
To my dismay, the ice cream truck disappeared when we came out 😯. We continued down the path to the shore and it was quite a walk with a beautiful backdrop - small cliff on one side, stream of water on another, greenery everywhere and perfect weather. There are few riding bicycles and few walking with their pets - couldn't think of a better picture of a relaxing afternoon with some exercise.
After a longer walk than it is supposed to be, we reached the shore. We didn't get into the water as it is a pebble beach and, even though it was supposed to be summer, the water was still quite cold.
So, we just laid there chit chatting and glancing at the opposite direction which is like a vast, well manicured lawn with a cottage. It reminded me of a landscape I read in some English mystery novel 🏡- probably Agatha Christie.
Image source
After a while, it started getting chilly and it was time to move. However, not yet willing to leave, we decided to hike up the cliff.
It's not at all difficult climb, but my vertigo kicked in and I clinged to my teammate until we reached to the top. And there it is - the view of seven sisters we thought we missed 😍.
We threw the deadlines to the wind (it was quite windy at the top😏) and got lost playing with the limestone pebbles. As the breeze became intense, making it hard even to stand, we had to descend.
Our walk back was even longer and we started thinking of alternatives if (by that time it's most certainly when than if) we miss the last bus. When we almost reached the end, there was a bus standing and I made a run for it, which wasn't quite necessary as it halted for a while and we assumed it might be because that was the final shuttle for the day. Our plans to make another stop at Brighton didn't seem feasible at that point which was very disappointing as it seemed quite happening and Sandy - good contrast to our day so far.
Half way through, in one of the bus stops we noticed the schedule displayed 2-3 more buses and checked with the bus driver if we could get down to visit Brighton Beach and when would be the last bus from there which could get us to the railway station before 11 p.m. The driver wasn't sure of the schedule but kindly offered to drop us off at last possible stop to access the beach and, though it isn't close to railway station, it's possible to reach in 30 mins by walk in case we couldn't get any bus.
It was the best suggestion as that stop is at the Brighton Pier.
Image Source
We were still skeptical as it was past 7 p.m and most attractions in UK, at least the ones I know, close up early. Anyway, thanks for the day light savings, the sun wasn't set yet and we came across quite a few eateries. We couldn't think of skipping them despite of huge queues as we didn't have any thing to eat post lunch and long walks left us starving. My caffeine addicted mind was conflicted to choose between food counter and cafe, but was saved as our group split to get into different queues. I, of course, got coffee and the rest got churros and crepes. My sweet friend Sammy remembered how disappointed I was when we couldn't get ice cream that afternoon and got us some softies (just like her) 😘😍.
After the most important activity of satisfying our appetites is completed, we headed inside. There are few rides, individually priced and there was an unlimited day pass for 20£ which would have been a perfect option if we didn't arrive just an hour before the closing time. One ride located at the edge of the pier immediately caught my attention - kind of like wind mill revolving in circle halfway above ground and other half above water.
Image source
Sammy and I went for the ride and there isn't much queue as it was end of the day. It was an amazing ride particularly the half above water where we did few spins and could see sky and water in a loop - different shades of blue 😱💃💙🎡
With same enthusiasm and enough time for another ride, we got another set of tickets. However, the ride we decided on required at least 12 members and there are hardly any left near the rides - most retired to restaurants and eateries by then. So we went to the scary house ride, which is anything but scary. We finally headed out and got fish and chips packed - I was trying to have one ever since I landed in London which was almost 5 months at that point (surprisingly, I found English cuisine is not very prominent in London - I never had Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast or even traditional English tea and scones 😥).
We did got into the bus, much to our relief as we were feeling extremely tired and wouldn't have been able to walk.
Sitting in the train, we reminisced the day and I was amazed how almost everything went out of our plan but the day couldn't have gone better. The perfect combination of calm minds and cheerful personalities could turn even the mishaps enjoyable.
We got a map from a travel store next to the bus stop and there are 2 routes to go the shore - one leads us to the beach and closer the cliff, however, we couldn't get the iconic view of all the seven cliffs, the other route is parallel to the first and leads us to an elevated ground area with the view of seven sisters but no access to the beach. Each takes 30-45 mins from the place we stood which means going to both places require 2-3 hrs of walking (as there are no short cuts and we had to come back all the way back and go to the next place) and, considering at least half hour for lunch, we barely get 30 mins to spend near the shore. Instead we decided to have a leisure lunch and picked the first route to the beach and get content with the view of one cliff.
We went up to the restaurant nearby, not that we have options - I think there is only one more eatery nearby and an ice cream truck. Quite a few cars arrived, equipped with cycles and sports gear.
The restaurant seemed like grandparents' house in our villages renovated to it's best - whitewashed walls, small courtyard with 3-4 tables, a tap in the corner with glass bottles and bakery indoors where desserts are displayed. We got the table in the shade of a tree, ground is slightly uneven - enough to notice but not to the extent of making us feel uncomfortable. Menu is quite brief and contained very few categories - sandwiches, salads and soups I don't exactly remember what we ordered - it went like veggie salad, a meat dish with noodles, chocolate cake from the bakery, red wine and orange juice to cover the group. I am glad we decided to prioritize lunch - it was a good start for our mini trek.
To my dismay, the ice cream truck disappeared when we came out 😯. We continued down the path to the shore and it was quite a walk with a beautiful backdrop - small cliff on one side, stream of water on another, greenery everywhere and perfect weather. There are few riding bicycles and few walking with their pets - couldn't think of a better picture of a relaxing afternoon with some exercise.
After a longer walk than it is supposed to be, we reached the shore. We didn't get into the water as it is a pebble beach and, even though it was supposed to be summer, the water was still quite cold.
So, we just laid there chit chatting and glancing at the opposite direction which is like a vast, well manicured lawn with a cottage. It reminded me of a landscape I read in some English mystery novel 🏡- probably Agatha Christie.
Image sourceAfter a while, it started getting chilly and it was time to move. However, not yet willing to leave, we decided to hike up the cliff.
It's not at all difficult climb, but my vertigo kicked in and I clinged to my teammate until we reached to the top. And there it is - the view of seven sisters we thought we missed 😍.
We threw the deadlines to the wind (it was quite windy at the top😏) and got lost playing with the limestone pebbles. As the breeze became intense, making it hard even to stand, we had to descend.
Our walk back was even longer and we started thinking of alternatives if (by that time it's most certainly when than if) we miss the last bus. When we almost reached the end, there was a bus standing and I made a run for it, which wasn't quite necessary as it halted for a while and we assumed it might be because that was the final shuttle for the day. Our plans to make another stop at Brighton didn't seem feasible at that point which was very disappointing as it seemed quite happening and Sandy - good contrast to our day so far.
Half way through, in one of the bus stops we noticed the schedule displayed 2-3 more buses and checked with the bus driver if we could get down to visit Brighton Beach and when would be the last bus from there which could get us to the railway station before 11 p.m. The driver wasn't sure of the schedule but kindly offered to drop us off at last possible stop to access the beach and, though it isn't close to railway station, it's possible to reach in 30 mins by walk in case we couldn't get any bus.
It was the best suggestion as that stop is at the Brighton Pier.
Image SourceWe were still skeptical as it was past 7 p.m and most attractions in UK, at least the ones I know, close up early. Anyway, thanks for the day light savings, the sun wasn't set yet and we came across quite a few eateries. We couldn't think of skipping them despite of huge queues as we didn't have any thing to eat post lunch and long walks left us starving. My caffeine addicted mind was conflicted to choose between food counter and cafe, but was saved as our group split to get into different queues. I, of course, got coffee and the rest got churros and crepes. My sweet friend Sammy remembered how disappointed I was when we couldn't get ice cream that afternoon and got us some softies (just like her) 😘😍.
After the most important activity of satisfying our appetites is completed, we headed inside. There are few rides, individually priced and there was an unlimited day pass for 20£ which would have been a perfect option if we didn't arrive just an hour before the closing time. One ride located at the edge of the pier immediately caught my attention - kind of like wind mill revolving in circle halfway above ground and other half above water.
Image sourceSammy and I went for the ride and there isn't much queue as it was end of the day. It was an amazing ride particularly the half above water where we did few spins and could see sky and water in a loop - different shades of blue 😱💃💙🎡
With same enthusiasm and enough time for another ride, we got another set of tickets. However, the ride we decided on required at least 12 members and there are hardly any left near the rides - most retired to restaurants and eateries by then. So we went to the scary house ride, which is anything but scary. We finally headed out and got fish and chips packed - I was trying to have one ever since I landed in London which was almost 5 months at that point (surprisingly, I found English cuisine is not very prominent in London - I never had Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast or even traditional English tea and scones 😥).
We did got into the bus, much to our relief as we were feeling extremely tired and wouldn't have been able to walk.
Sitting in the train, we reminisced the day and I was amazed how almost everything went out of our plan but the day couldn't have gone better. The perfect combination of calm minds and cheerful personalities could turn even the mishaps enjoyable.
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