UK's Best Spring Beach Named

The iconic Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven, built shortly after the National Coastguard Service was founded in 1822, stand precariously close to the cliff edge. Coastal erosion has worn away more than 30 meters of the cliff face in front of them, putting the historic buildings in constant danger. The Seven Sisters cliffs are not static; they are actively eroding at a rate of roughly 30 to 40 centimeters each year. Unlike the reinforced White Cliffs of Dover, the Seven Sisters are left to erode naturally, which is why they maintain their striking bright white appearance. This process of erosion acting on the soft chalk, formed from the remains of microscopic marine organisms 60 to 150 million years ago, is what created the iconic undulating cliffs. The area has a colorful past, serving as a hotspot for smugglers between the 16th and 18th centuries. In 1783, for instance, two large smuggling gangs, each with 200 to 300 members, managed to overpower law enforcement and make off with a large quantity of illegal goods. During World War II, Cuckmere Haven was a key strategic location. The Luftwaffe identified it as a potential landing site for an invasion, leading the British to construct extensive defenses, many of which, including pillboxes and anti-tank obstacles, are still visible today. At night, lights were used to deceive German bombers into thinking they were over the nearby port town of Newhaven. The Cuckmere River's path to the sea was artificially straightened in 1846 to prevent flooding upstream. However, the original meandering course of the river can still be seen in the landscape, creating oxbow lakes and rich floodplain habitats. There are ongoing discussions and plans about allowing the valley to return to a more natural salt marsh state. The site is a haven for wildlife and is part of the South Downs National Park and a Marine Conservation Zone. The chalk reef visible at low tide is considered the best example in southeast England and is home to rare species like the short-snouted seahorse. The surrounding chalk grassland supports rare butterflies and plants, while the water meadows attract numerous bird species. At low tide, visitors may be able to spot the shipwreck of the Polynesia, a German sailing ship that ran aground in April 1890. It was carrying a cargo of sodium nitrate at the time of its demise.