Birling Gap
Birling Gap is a cove on the English south coast where white chalk cliffs drop steeply into the sea. Below is a pebble beach with sandy patches, and at low tide rock pools form where you can find small sea creatures like crabs.
This stretch of coast has a long history of shipwrecks and smuggling going back hundreds of years. The coastguard built cottages here to protect the shore and rescue people in danger at sea.
The name Birling Gap refers to the gap in the cliffs where a path descends to the beach below. You can still see the old coastguard cottages today, which remind visitors of when this was an important spot for ships and fishing communities.
A sturdy staircase leads from the parking area at the top down to the beach. Weather changes quickly here, so check the forecast before visiting and prepare for wind and possible rain.
The cliffs erode constantly, and entire cottages have tumbled into the sea, showing how nature reshapes the coastline. Visitors can witness this process happening day by day as the beach is reshaped with new rock formations.
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