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Birling Gap

Birling Gap

Birling Gap, Eastbourne, Sussex, BN20 0AB

Best time to visit

National Trust coastal car park and part of the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs with plenty of free parking after 6pm.

Birling Gap is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Location events organiser

National Trust

National Trust organises events at this location

Please contact National Trust directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: National Trust
Twitter: @nationaltrust
Facebook: National Trust

Weather forecast

  • 08/07/25

    18° 0%

  • 08/07/25

    17° 1%

Weather forecast for Birling Gap (beach) (0.2 miles away) updated 08/07/25 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

Birling Gap is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Birling Gap

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Tue 8th Jul

Tue 8th Jul

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
Dark from 01:46 to 02:08
Dark for 0h 22m
Moon phase on Wed 9th Jul

Wed 9th Jul

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 10th Jul

Thu 10th Jul

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 11th Jul

Fri 11th Jul

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 12th Jul

Sat 12th Jul

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 13th Jul

Sun 13th Jul

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 14th Jul

Mon 14th Jul

Waning Gibbous
89 % illuminated
Dark from 21:52 to 22:01
Dark for 0h 8m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Wadhurst and Tunbridge Wells Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 16th July 2025 from 19:30pm to 22:00pm

    Beechwood School - Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3QD (27.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Worthing Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Wednesday 16th July 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Emmanuel United Reformed Church - Worthing, Worthing, BN11 4SD (26.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Wealden Astronomers monthly meeting and observing

    Friday 25th July 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, BN27 1RN (10.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Worthing Astronomers Club Night

    Friday 1st August 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Clapham & Patching Village Hall, Worthing, BN13 3UT (29.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Worthing Astronomers observing night (location TBC)

    Saturday 2nd August 2025 from 19:30pm to 22:30pm

    Clapham & Patching Village Hall, Worthing, BN13 3UT (29.4 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Foot of the Downs

    Fulking, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9LP (21.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info