It'll drag you in

I like to go to Saltdean when it’s rough, because there are sprays whooshing up and you can get people soaked (but if you’re not careful you get yourself soaked!).

In a way it’s quite scary, because you know if it ever drags you over, you’ll probably never be found. But when it’s quiet, it’s nice looking in the rockpools, and finding sea anemones and crabs, and it shows a completely different view of Saltdean.

Comments about this page

  • Great picture and description.

    By Nathan (12/10/2006)
  • I find it very funny hearing someone speak about Saltdean. I’m 13 and I spend a lot of my Friday nights in Saltdean. I’ve never really looked at it in the way Jessica speaks about it here.

    By Chloe (11/12/2006)
  • I think I was really cool and that I would recommend to all the public to walk along it.

    By Louise Thorp (08/01/2007)
  • How I miss my Saltdean undercliffs walk! I lived in Woodingdean for 22 years and with my husband regularly walked from Rottingdean to Saltdean; it was everchanging and we experienced the most magnificent sunsets. We now live in Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandie and the beaches there are sandy, sheltered and stretchover miles, the memory of the Saltdean undercliff walk remains in my mind and in my heart.

    By Mandy Marsh (11/02/2007)
  • Nearly 50 years ago I sometimes used to walk the whole of the Undercliff from Black Rock to Rottingdean, with my mum or my then boyfriend, visit Rottingdean church which had goldfish in the pond in the church grounds, and then catch a No.17 open-top bus back to Kemp Town where I lived. Happy memories.

    By Vera Wakefield (13/09/2007)
  • Nearly seventy years ago we used to walk the Undercliff Walk. We would go picking up winkles off of the rocks, also we would sit on the wall watching the rich people’s children go for rides on the donkeys. Sometimes they would pay for us children to have rides, which we loved. I liked the donkey with a basket seat on its back the best. They would also buy us ice creams as well. I suppose they must have felt sorry for us all, sitting on the wall watching. In those days you were not afraid to take gifts like that from strangers. Shame you can’t do it now.

    By Nina (13/01/2008)
  • I have driven past this many times and didn’t really think to stop until I signed up for 6 lessons in Nordic Walking and was told they took place at Saltdean. What an experience – the first day was windy and wet, and we had difficulty managing our walking poles. On subsequent occasions when it was sunny and breezy I came to love the Undercliff as we stormed up to the marina at full speed, the sea on the left crashing against the sea wall and the white cliffs shining on the right. Well worth a visit

    By Tom C (27/03/2008)
  • I moved from Brighton in 1952 to Bletchley (the home of the codebreakers) I can remember when I was a child, the veteran car race used to run past our house as did the walking race. Am I right in thinking that the policeman then used to wear white helmets and gloves? Doesn’t you mind play tricks on you as you get older….

    By Sandra Waite (01/08/2008)
  • Sandra you are absoluley right, the Brighton Borough Police did wear white helmets in the summer, these were phased out when the mass amalgamations of police forces took place and borough forces became part of the county force.
    I am the proud owner of a white Brighton helmet and as a collector of police memborilia rank this as one of the my top items.

    By John Wignall (04/08/2008)
  • I remember in the 1970’s as a child I would be dragged along the path. I hated it so much I swore I would never walk along the path again. But now I am older, on a lovely warm sunny day I love the walk.

    By Jayson Flesher (27/07/2009)
  • Is there anyone who remembers that when VE day was declared a short section of the undercliff walk was opened at the Saltdean end and they held a Barn Dance on the cocrete?  People turned up from all around and a good evening was had by all. At the end our group then walked home to Woodingdean.

    By Ivor Levett (15/11/2009)
  • What happened to the big massive cement blocks that were there instead of the iron railings? Did the storms dislodge them? I remember after one storm some had been displaced; this was in early 70s.

    By David (Chris) Christie (28/02/2010)
  • Hi to all ‘Brighton Ex-Pat’s’. I am 55 and an ex Brighton lad. Have lived in Perth, Australia since 1971 but have fond childhood memories of my beloved home town. My Dad (also residing in Australia) is a true 3rd generation Brighton lad and is now 85 years old. He was born and raised in Islingword Place. I have a keen interest in the history of the Brighton Police, and have recently purchased a Brighton Police helmet plate (Kings Crown) which dates to pre-1953. I am keen to find a white summer helmet to display it on, as I already have a 1970s Sussex helmet (post 1967) in the conventional blue and I would love the pair! I would love to hear from any ex Brighton-ers way over here in Oz! Cheers to all, Geoff.

    By Geoff Burt (14/05/2010)
  • I am trying to find out about my father-in-law. He was a Brighton Corporation lifeguard in the 1930s. My husband has been told that he saved the lives of three Girl Guides but we can’t find any information. His name was William Tettersell.

    By Jenny Tettersell (28/07/2010)
  • I lived in Woodingdean but went to school in Rottingdean. We used to have swimming lessons in the out door pool along the undercliff walk, come rain or shine. Never did learn there, but in the sea.The undercliff walk was a big draw when it was blowing a gale. Happy memories. There used to be a cafe at the top of the winding stairs up from the prom. Don’t think its there now.

    By Wendy MacKenzie, (nee Rose) (19/02/2011)
  • The cafe was called the Seaspray in the late fifties/early sixties, we used to sit in there drinking milk shakes, and waiting for the bus to take us back to Brighton. The bus stop was outside. When the tide was low, we would also sometimes walk along to Saltdean and then on to the beach to walk to Telscome Cliffs and the joys of the sewage outfall.

    By Florere (03/03/2012)

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