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| Running towards the Belle Tout Lighthouse near Beachy Head on the South Downs Way |
In my latest log I pop back to the UK for 5 days for a wedding and get to spend a few days on the South Downs Way staying in the unique Belle Tout Lighthouse. I get a day running along the White Cliffs towards Dover, with a Spitfire formation flyby and some of the most dramatic scenery the South Coast has to offer. A combination of a day of good sunshine and a James Bond movie location complete one of the best days I’ve spent outdoors in the UK in a while.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse |
After a whistlestop weekend at a friends beautiful wedding in West Sussex in the UK I had a 3 night stay booked in The Belle Tout Lighthouse near Beachy Head. I’ve wanted to stay at this very unique Guesthouse for a while and specifically wanted to stay in the Lighthouse Keepers Room nearest the top.
The Lighthouse is located precariously on the edge of the high chalk cliffs nestled in the South Downs Way National Park in the UK. I’m hugely fond of the area, having run all of it through a combination of Trailwalker, The Race to the King and pacing a friend on the Centurion 100 this year.
The Lighthouse that moved itself
The Belle Tout has a wonderful history. You can learn much more
here but its highlights include being used in various TV programmes as well as a makeover from the TV show
Changing Rooms. Its biggest brag is that it moved. The lighthouse was in danger of falling in to the sea in recent years as coastal erosion crept slowly towards it. Eventually an epic feat of engineering managed to move the entire lighthouse in one piece back away from the cliff edge, buying it another century or so of respite before the inevitable. You can still see the old foundations on the edge of the cliff.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse |
Many of the original features are still present inside. The views are spectacular and the Lighthouse has recently undergone a £700,000 renovation on the interior. The staff are incredibly welcoming and you really feel special staying there.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse |
The Lamp Room is now a 360 degree glass view lounge with some of the best views in the UK. Its had a spectacular light fitted in it with reflective and glass elements as well as a compass and mother of pearl motif. What I like the most is that with the lights in the centre the Belle Tout is STILL a lighthouse ! Apparently the early morning Crab and Lobster pot fisherman still use the light as a visual navigation guide.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse |
Beachy Head – Where Tragedy and Beauty collide
After a huge breakfast Shona and I went out for a run along the cliffs towards Beachy Head. Despite it being November the skies were blue and I was treated to a 2 spitfire formation flyby early on which left me absolutely overexcited like a kid. The views are incredible and
Beachy Head is a famous landmark for many reasons, including having an amazing viewpoint and sadly being the third busiest suicide location in the world.
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| View from the Belle Tout Lighthouse |
Beachy head also has a memorial to World War Two RAF pilots, as many used the Seaford area and navigation VOR beacon as their to and fro marker as they headed out towards Mainland War Torn Europe. The memorial takes the time to point out that for many many young men this beautiful location was the last sight they had of England before they were killed.
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| Lee-Stuart Evans on Beachy Head taking a photo of two Spitfires in formation |
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| Paragliders at Beachy Head UK |
Linking the RAF then with flying now were a large group of enthusiastic Paraglider pilots launching peacefully into the breeze. After a Hot Drink and shot of whisky from the local pub at the viewpoint it was time to turn round and run back to the lighthouse before the sun set.
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| Trig Point Planking at Beachy Head |
I like to think I co-invented Trig Point Planking with my running friend Claire, so I got a new plank in on the Trig Point at Beachy Head and took in the rolling Cliffs and views in the other direction with the Belle Tout visible on a distant hill.
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| Beachy Head Lighthouse |
As Shona and I chased the sunset we got a glimpse of the now automated Beachy Head Lighthouse and the sunset round the Belle Tout as well. Around 5pm the Belle Tout lay on relaxed drinks for the guests so we got to enjoy the moon rising with a beer and a glass of wine after a shower.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse Sunset |
The Belle Tout is an absolute must if you are planning to stay anywhere nearby. Be warned it books up VERY fast. Its a labour of love for the owner, who runs it at breakeven simply for the joy of having others be able to enjoy this quirky bit of English history. It represents really great value for money ,but given the interior layout may not be suitable for some people who are less physically nimble as I am. The ground floor hosts 2 superb large double bedrooms for people who don’t want to shower under a stone spiral staircase but still enjoy all the other rooms and features this guesthouse has.
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse Moonrise from the LampRoom |
As I watched the moon rise from the top of ‘The Tout’ I had a huge smile on my face. I’d probably only run about 6 miles that day but can say for sure it was one of those ‘1 in a 100’ runs I know will make a great blog and superb memories. For me running is often about the history and the view and the people rather than distance. This short run had more in it than most multi day adventures I’ve had !
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| Belle Tout Lighthouse at night |
You can book your stay from the website here
