Birling Gap to re-open a week early

Birling Gap beach will open a week before schedule after works to repair the staircase, which was damaged in recent storms, has been completed.

The beauty spot at the south of the district has been out of use for two months after cliff falls caused damage to the staircase, which takes visitors from the car park at Birling Gap down to the beach.

Wealden District Council, which manages the foreshore on behalf of The Crown Estate and is the owner of the staircase, appointed contractors Monson Engineering as the consulting principal engineer to oversee the delivery of the project and CJ Thorne & Co, a Wealden based company which completed the structural repair works.

The council confirm that the works have been completed and the beach will be open to the public again from Friday 24 April 2026.

A Wealden District Council spokesperson, said, “We are pleased that Birling Gap beach is opening ahead of schedule as it allows our residents to enjoy a much-loved scenic area especially in the great weather we are currently having.

“We would like to express thanks to the National Trust, RNLI and the Coastguard for their continued support and the contractors for completing the works ahead of time.”