Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex

Seven Sisters Country Park is one of the most iconic and recognisable destinations within the South Downs National Park. It attracts large numbers of visitors on an international scale, in the region of 500,000 per year, as well as being a popular destination and much loved by many locals. The site lies on the mouth of River Cuckmere, between Seaford and Eastbourne, taking in both the flood plain and extending up and along the river valley sides. It contains 280 hectares, almost entirely designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a diverse range of habitats including chalk grassland, flood plain grazing marsh and a range of other wetland and intertidal habitats. The South Downs National Park Authority’s overarching vision for Seven Sisters Country Park is for it to be “an outstanding place for nature and people where we work with the landscape and communities to demonstrate how to adapt to climate change”.

Marbas were appointed in late 2019 to develop proposals to improve facilities at the visitor centre site, redevelop 3 cottages into holiday accommodation and revitalize the existing camping barn and its associated facilities to meet modern standards. The design delivers multi-functional benefits that covers everything from sustainability, biodiversity, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage and enhancement of landscape character and improved public access.

This work was completed in the summer of 2022.

Photos courtesy of Peter Langdown.