Reckless tourists are endangering themselves by posing for selfies at the edge of crumbling chalk cliffs in Seaford Head, East Sussex. Despite clear warnings and the known instability of the coastline, visitors have been observed standing perilously close to the 170-foot drop above a rocky beach.
The striking white landmark is marked by tension cracks, a visible sign of its precarious state. Nevertheless, over a dozen individuals were recently photographed ignoring safety notices to capture images. Seaford Head is a popular section of the King Charles III England Coast Path, attracting thousands of walkers annually. Authorities urge sightseers to maintain a distance of at least five meters from the cliff edge.
East Sussex County Council has issued explicit warnings that the cliffs are extremely unstable. A council statement noted that thousands of tons of chalk fall from the cliffs each year, emphasizing that people often underestimate the risks. "Chalk cliffs are extremely unstable and can fall at any time," the statement read.
The cliff edge is also home to Seaford Head Golf Course, one of England's oldest links courses. Repeated cliff falls, exacerbated by extreme weather, have put parts of the course in danger. The club is developing plans to relocate its renowned 18th tee and 17th green as a safety precaution.
The golf club attributes the accelerating coastal erosion threatening its future to climate change. A recent substantial collapse saw hundreds of tons of chalk fall to the beach below. The iconic 18th tee, perched 300 feet above sea level, offers one of the most dramatic tee shots in UK golf, with a 150-foot vertical drop to the fairway. The planned move will also affect the 17th green, which is situated only yards from the unstable cliff edge.
Simon Lambert, the golf course manager for 26 years, stated that the relocation plans are being drawn up for the safety of both golfers and walkers using the adjacent King Charles III Coastal Path. "It's for the safety of all users – golfers, walkers and anyone else using the site or the path – and to future proof the 18–hole course," Lambert said.
He added that coastal erosion has been a significant concern for years, with increasing extremes in weather contributing to more frequent and severe cliff falls. "I feel this will only continue and we need to be proactively working towards managing the effects of what seems to be an unstoppable issue," he noted.
The 17th green is also partially located within an Iron Age Hill Fort, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that has stood for 2,500 years. Part of the fort has already collapsed into the sea, and a significant fall in 2021 led Historic England to add it to their Heritage at Risk register.
The golf club has been considering course alterations for several years. Current plans will be presented to stakeholders including the South Downs National Park, Natural England, and Historic England for feedback before proceeding with detailed designs, planning permissions, and costings.