Belle Tout Lighthouse Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Belle Tout from Eastbourne Train Station?
Please use Sussex Cars - 01323 726726 - they will bring you right up to the front door at Belle Tout. We are accessed by a long private driveway from the road, and some taxi firms may not bring you right to the door.
Do you provide tea and coffee facilities?
Yes, every bedroom includes a kettle and complimentary tea and coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits. We provide fresh fruit in our communal areas and guest fridge in the Guests' Lounge to chill your beverages.
What time is Check in / Check out?
Check in is 3pm onwards, until 8pm every day. After 8pm, guests are given a code to enter the building. A member of staff is on site 24hrs a day for any 'after hours' issues.
Check out is at 10.30am and guests may store bags on site safely after check out.
What time is Breakfast served?
We have two sittings for breakfast to ensure great service and a relaxed breakfast experience for our guests. Breakfast is home-cooked. You are welcome to choose an early sitting (8am - 9am) or the later sitting (9am - 10am). The choice of sittings is given on a first come first served basis based on your arrival time, so your first choice of sitting might not be available.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes, please notify us in advance of your stay of any special requests and we'll do our very best to accommodate you.
May we use the Breakfast Room or cooking facilities after 10am?
No, the kitchen and breakfast room are not available to guests after 10am.
How many stairs are there at Belle Tout?
From the door to the lantern room, there are 80 stone steps. The Lighthouse is very old and might not be suitable for everyone. There is no lift at Belle Tout.
Is there any on site parking
Yes, we have a private guest car park with plenty of room. You are welcome to leave your car here after checking out if you'd like to explore a bit more before you head home.
How do we reach you by car?
The entrance is gated at the Beachy Head side of the Beachy Head Road - not the Birling Gap side. If you are driving from the West, pass Birling Gap and we are on the Right. From Eastbourne, we are on your Left. There is a large metal gate at the foot of the private access road. Please take care not to drive on the grass, as it causes damage very easily.
What's the postcode for my SatNav?
Use BN20 0AE for your SatNav and drive up to the private car park on the hill top. Please do not park on the grass verges.
Are you open all year?
No, Belle Tout closes for a short period of time from late December to early January.
Do you provide packed lunches?
No, however you may pre-order a bespoke Belle Tout Hamper from £55 per couple (Hampers are pre-order only, 7 days notice, min two people). Please call us to arrange your hamper - 01323 423185.
Do you allow dogs at Belle Tout?
No, dogs are not permitted at Belle Tout. Assistance Dogs are permitted but please note that Belle Tout might be unsuitable for some people.
Do you allow children to stay?
We only allow people aged 16 years or above, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Group Bookings
We are happy to accommodate groups - or even provide whole venue hire - but we do not allow Hen or Stag celebrations at Belle Tout.
May all guests use the Lantern Room?
Yes, the room is available to all guests 24hrs a day - many guests enjoy the early sun rises, and the sun sets are very popular. We do ask that guests respect their fellow guests by keeping noise to a minimum when using the Lantern Room.
Is the Keeper's Loft Room accessible?
No, the Keeper's Loft is a very unique space and is not suitable for people with mobility problems, claustrophobia or a fear of heights. The en-suite shower room is on a different level to the mezzanine bedroom, so it may not be suitable to those who require the bathroom frequently throughout the night.
If you reserve Keeper's Loft and change your mind on arrival, we might not be able to accommodate you in another room (as we only have 6 bedrooms in total).
Calling from overseas
Overseas guests can send us a WhatsApp message on +447766 859031 (please note that we may not be able to respond immediately). Please DO NOT call this number, text only please and we'll get back to you.
If you have any other questions, please do call us.
Belle Tout Lighthouse Accessibility
Belle Tout Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast is a decommissioned lighthouse situated at Beachy Head in East Sussex.
It was built in 1832 and came into operation on 11th October 1834.
In those days building accessibility wasn't a concern and as such there are five levels to the lighthouse which are all accessed by steps.
There are no lifts or elevators.
There are a total of eighty (80) steps from the car park to the top of the tower.
Most steps are eight inches (8in) or twenty three centimetres (23cm) in depth.
This makes the total ascent approximately fifty-three feet (53ft) or just over eighteen metres (18.4m)
Entrance Steps
From the car park there are ten steps that lead up to the main entrance.
There is a hand rail on your left for support.
There is a small threshold step through the main door to the building.
Ground Floor
On the ground floor we have the Old England and South Downs bedrooms.
With views North across the rolling South Downs, and to the East towards Seven Sisters.
There are 18 steps that lead up to a first floor landing.
There is a hand rail for support.
First Floor Landing
On this level there are magnificent views of the East Dean, Friston and the Downs.
There are two further steps to reach the first floor.
There is a hand rail for support.
First Floor
On this floor we have the Beachy Head, Captain's Cabin and Seven Sisters bedrooms.
Each room offers stunning views of the Seven Sisters, South Downs or Beachy Head
Reception is also situated on this floor.
There is a small threshold step to each room.
There are twelve steps up to the second floor landing.
There is a hand rail for support.
Second Floor Landing
The second floor landing also has great views of East Dean, Friston and the Downs from a slightly higher level.
There are three additional steps to reach the second floor.
There is a hand rail on your left for support.
Second Floor
On this level is the Breakfast Room and Guest Lounge.
Also on this floor, up one step, is the Keeper's Loft Room. This is the original keepers bunk room and has its own accessibility requirements as the bunk bed is accessed via a ladder.
From this floor you are able to ascend the steps up the original tower to the Guest Office, and the spectacular Lantern Room.
Tower Steps - first level
There is an initial step before you reach the steps to the main circular tower.
There are seventeen steps up to the second level.
There is a rope hand rail for support.
Tower Steps - second level
On this level we have the original Keeper's Watch Room which we call Keeper's Attic.
This room now serves as a Guest Office, where you can work in private with Wi-Fi connectivity.
There are a further seventeen steps until you reach the Lantern Room.
There is a rope hand rail for support.
The Lantern Room
There is a hand rail to assist your ascent into the lantern room.
The spectacular lantern room provides 360 degree views of the area.
The Lantern Balcony
You are welcome to open the door to access the balcony.
There is a small threshold as you step out onto the balcony.
There is a hand rail and railings around the entire circumference of the tower.