The Beachy Head Story

The cliffs themselves tell the story better than any museum ever could, but The Beachy Head Story does a solid job of filling in the gaps. Tucked away near Eastbourne, this small exhibition centre explains the geology, history and human drama of one of England's most photographed coastlines. You'll learn why those cliffs are crumbling, how the lighthouse came to stand on the rocks below, and yes, you'll confront the darker chapters too.

It's free, which matters. The place won't keep you for hours - ninety minutes maximum if you linger over the displays - but that's fine. It works best as a prelude to a proper walk along the clifftops, or as a rainy-day refuge when the weather turns. Families with older kids will get something from it; younger ones might find it a bit static. History buffs will appreciate the local context and the stories of the keepers who worked the lighthouse in impossible conditions.

The real draw is what comes after. Pevensey, the nearest town, sits about six miles inland and feels properly old - Roman fort, medieval castle, the whole lot. From here you can reach Pevensey Bay Holiday Park easily enough, which puts you within spitting distance of the cliffs themselves. The walk from the visitor centre down to Birling Gap is the thing to do. The museum is the warm-up act. Go for the cliffs, stay for the views, use the exhibition to understand what you're actually looking at. It's the right way round.