Shell Bench Sweet Spot

The Shell Bench sits on the cliffs between Brighton and Shoreham, and it's exactly what it sounds like - a bench made from shells, carved into the chalk face with views that stretch across the English Channel. You won't spend hours here, but on a clear day it's worth the short walk from Brighton seafront to stand and look out at the water.

It's a proper local spot rather than a tourist trap. The bench itself is modest - weathered, sometimes algae-covered depending on the season - but the setting works. You get the dramatic cliff drop, the sprawl of Brighton behind you, and if you're lucky, decent visibility toward France. Most people do the walk and spend twenty minutes taking photos or just breathing in the salt air.

Families with older kids will manage the coastal path fine, though it can be muddy after rain and there's no safety barrier at the cliff edge, so keep young ones close. History buffs might appreciate the shells themselves - locals have been adding them for years, creating a sort of folk monument. Walkers doing the Sussex Coast Path will stumble on it naturally.

Go early morning or late afternoon to dodge Brighton's crowds. It's free, obviously, and you're right next to three solid campsites - Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club is less than a mile away, while Pegs and Pitches and Chalky Downs are both close by if you want a quieter base. Don't expect a destination in itself. Think of it as a proper excuse to get out on the cliffs and away from the seafront for an hour.