Birling Gap is very good, the best beach I've been to in this country, though I only managed to get there for the first time earlier this year. I've been there on a hot weekend day and there were more couples there than anything else. I've also seen families there and single women, a good sign that a beach is safe in my opinion. The good thing is that the cliffs are fenced off as the edges are dangerous. There's no through traffic as there's nowhere to go and the facilities such as toilets are close by. The car park is even reasonable, £2 for four hours. The only thing I would suggest is take something thicker than a towel to lie on, as the beach is shingle and stones.

Hi.many thanks Naked Wombat, you have definitely sold it to me. I just have to decide whether to go mid week or at the weekend now.

Cheers
Paul

BG is my beach of choice. I have several options near me but I like. BG most. The beach is clean and friendly. The naturists are generally older (40-60 is 85% of its clientele I'd guess).
It's very tidal so be aware of this if you have a lot of gear or you'll find yourself repeatedly moving back towards the cliffs (don't panic it never goes all the way).
I have National Trust membership so park for free. The stones can be harsh so I take a roll matt but that's enough with a towel.
There are few passers by or gawkers. Some do but nothing offensive. You do need to be aware that if schools are off and it's low tide textile families use the rocks and pools to hunt for crabs and sea creatures but most naturists keep a towel or something handy to cover up if they are passing buyout of mutual respect.
People are pretty camera happy but it's a national beauty spot so accept it is what it is.
I was there on Friday and love that the cliffs retain the heat longer and the winds are usually milder than more exposed beaches. This means you can go further into September and stay warm and not be blown away.

Tony(2)

Thank you for yet another glowing report for Birling Gap and I am now really looking forward to going and will post back my experiences here.

I would never have known about the beach without this site and its members, so I thank you all in advance, I doubt that I am going to be disappointed.

Cheers
Paul

I was there a few years ago and it's a lovely beach although as others have said do bring a towel or too as it's pebbles!

Well folks, I was on the beach at birling gap today. I followed the instructions and went as far to the right as I could from the stairs. I didn't see another soul and I couldn't go any further as the tide was in. I sat for 15 minutes and then headed back a little deflated. Was I in the right place?
Paul

Hi

I think you were in the right place but the summer season is at an end and a bit too cold for the beach now. I was there on Monday and it was very quiet. I think you need to come back between May and August to get a pleasurable visit.
I'm pretty hardened and didn't even bother thinking about going down today!

Tony (2)

Thanks Tony,
Every cloud has a silver lining as I was in Brighton on Saturday afternoon and despite having reservations about it, I wandered along to the beach there. I was greeted by the sight of a man on the very edge of the eastern boundary with his hands on his hips, only thing missing was a huge neon sign :).

I sat for half an hour just outside the area, feeling a bit dejected and wondering about the meaning of life, when two women came along, took off their trousers and shoes and went for a paddle in front of me, then walked about ten feet along the beach and stripped off for a serious swim.

I watched all this, gave myself a shake, walked past the chap, still standing with his hands on his hips and stripped off and went into the sea.I was so moved by the circumstances that I spoke to the two women, briefly, to thank them for making me realise there was nothing to fear and spent another quarter of an hour there before heading back.

I was so taken by this that I went back and spent 4 and a half hours there today. Thank you to the lovely couple I met today, very friendly, if you are on here A & C, I thank you sincerely for taking time to speak to a nude beach novice, before yesterday I had never done it before

I would never have gone to Brighton if I had any success at Birling Gap!!

What a great bunch nudists / naturists are!!

Paul

Nice to hear.

Sorry to say (for you) there were a god 20-25 naturists down at Birling Gap today. Glad your Brighton experience was a positive one as peoples experiences on Brighton are mixed. Many a time it's been said no "REAL" naturists use Brighton....... but each to their own....... it's what you make of it!

Tony (2)

Wow - I didn't realise about BG - I am often in this neck of the woods so I will make sure I visit when the warmer weather finally arrives again.  I've heard so many mixed views on Brighton - I guess it's location close to Kemp Town does not help attract a more mixed crowd.  The beach at Shoreham Harbour is supposed to also be good also. 

Wow - I didn't realise about BG - I am often in this neck of the woods so I will make sure I visit when the warmer weather finally arrives again.  I've heard so many mixed views on Brighton - I guess it's location close to Kemp Town does not help attract a more mixed crowd.  The beach at Shoreham Harbour is supposed to also be good also.

Horses for courses, but there is nothing not to like at BG in my opinion. One thing shoreham has lost is parking. Couple of years back they binned half of the parking to add space for one extra lorry, not that you see many lorries there.

Shoreham is virtually on my doorstep, so once the nicer weather is here I will definitely be along - although I am normally in Eastbourne area at least once a week so will be frequenting BG alot I think!!

Hope to see a few people there also.

M

I'd like to make a trip back to it next Summer.

Hi folks,

I am going to be in Sussex again next month and am looking forward to getting onto a beach or two after a long cold wet Scottish winter. I have been following posts on here for BG and another thread for Hove / Shoreham, my first question today is whether either of these are likely to be used much mid week as I will have to head home at the weekend and I dont want to be the only one there in unfamiliar territory!!

Cheers.
Paul