Selfie-loving tourists ignore warning signs as they hop over safety railings to pose perilously close to 500ft drop at Birling Gap

Published: 14:41, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 14:42, 9 August 2026 Selfie-loving tourists have been spotted standing inches from death after they hopped over safety railings to pose and peer over the crumbling cliffs at a popular East Sussex viewpoint.  Daytrippers were seen today perilously close to a 500ft drop in the coastal hamlet of Birling Gap, one of Britain's most popular beauty spots. The National Trust, which manages the site, warned that the cliffs 'are very fragile and can collapse without warning'.  Up to 600,000 visitors a year travel to this stretch of the legendary Seven Sisters chalk cliffs – with non-stop sightseeing tours wrecking the grassland, paths and verges. Tourists are expected to flock to coastal locations such as the Seven Sisters as the south-east continues to bask in sunshine and hot weather.  It reached 25C (77F) in East Sussex today and a fifth heatwave is expected next week as temperatures could hit 35C (95F).  Yellow heat health alerts were issued at 9am on Saturday as the mercury rose up thermometers throughout the day, baking the South and South East in 28C (82F) heat, while central England saw highs of 27C (81F). Pictures show tourists who have jumped over a safety railing attempting to take photographs right on the edge of the famous white cliffs.  Daytrippers were seen today perilously close to a 500ft drop in the coastal hamlet of Birling Gap, one of Britain's most popular beauty spots One tourist was spotted peering over the 500ft drop that looks onto a pebble beach The National Trust , which manages the site, warned that the cliffs 'are very fragile and can collapse without warning' Some visitors checked their phone next to the cliff edge, seemingly unaware of the mortal danger they could be in.   Others seem to be peering over the 500ft drop that looks onto a pebble beach.  The National Trust has warned visitors should stay at least 5m back from a cliff edge at all times.  It said on its website: 'Our white cliffs are beautiful but also very fragile.  'They may appear safe to stand on, but chalk is a soft rock that can become unstable through heavy rain, frost, sun or undercut by wind and wave action.'  The Trust also encourages people on the beach below to stay at least 5m away from the cliff base at all times, to reduce the risk of objects and rocks from above hitting them.  In 2017, South Korean student Hyewon Kim, 23, plunged 200ft to her death after jumping in the air for a photograph on a crumbling clifftop.  Birling Gap has appeared in feature films including Atonement with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves with Kevin Costner and Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire. It also featured as a location for an Asian reality TV show hosted by South Korean actress, Seo Hyo-rim, and also appeared in a music video by Taiwanese singer Jay Chou. Some visitors checked their phone next to the cliff edge, seemingly unaware of the mortal danger they could be in The National Trust has warned visitors should stay at least 5m back from a cliff edge at all times The Trust also encourages people on the beach below to stay at least 5m away from the cliff base at all times, to reduce the risk of objects and rocks from above hitting them  Earlier this year, visitors to Birling Gap were unable to reach the beach after a major cliff collapse. The beauty spot near Eastbourne was closed after tons of rock fell and damaged the steps, which give access to the beach.  The pictures taken today follow several other near misses at the attraction in recent years.  Last year, tourists were similarly seen inches from death as the National Trust banned coaches from visiting Birling Gap in a bid to reduce the 'tsunami of tourists' and limit damage to the natural environment.