| 100 Million BC | Chalk cliffs begin to form at the bottom of the sea after the remains of dead sea creatures build up, layer upon layer to form the dense yet fragile chalk cliffs |
| 10,000 BC | The English Channel began to form by meltwater from the North Sea after the ice caps melt after the last ice age carving out a channel between England and France |
| 4000 BC | Neolithic people lived in a settlement at Belle Tout |
| 43AD | Romans invaded and settled |
| 489 | The ‘Beorls’ invaded and settled outside Eastbourne |
| 1807 | Birling Gap acquired by Charles Gilbert |
| 1817 | Birling Gap passed i |
| 1828 | A trial lighthouse was built at Belle Tout which proved very effective |
| 1832 | Construction began on a permanent lighthouse at Belle Tout |
| 1834 | The Belle Tout Lighthouse becomes operational |
| 1878 | Eight cottages are built at Birling Gap for the Coastguard |
| 1895 | The National Trust is founded to help preserve and protect our special places |
| 1898 | Trinity House work on the plans for a new lighthouse at Beachy Head |
| 1902 | The Beachy Head Lighthouse becomes operational and Belle Tout is decommissioned |
| 1914 | The start of World War One, many local people go to fight in the trenches |
| 1918 | The end of World War One – the war to end all wars due to the horrendous loss of life |
| 1939 | The start of World War Two – many homes are evacuated, people moved away and troops move in, including the coastguard cottages and hotel at Birling Gap |
| 1940 | The Battle of Britain was fought overhead Birling Gap |
| 1942 | Day and Night ‘hit and run’ raids by the Luftwaffe |
| 1943 | The Luftwaffe switched to night bombing tactics |
| 1944 | The first V1 flying bomb flew over Birling Gap on its way towards London |
| 1945 | The allies victory over the axis forces to bring an end to World War Two |
| 1951 | The cottages move into private ownership and are called ‘Crangon Cottages’ |
| 1973 | The first cottage is demolished due to its proximity to the eroding cliff edge |
| 1982 | The National Trust purchase Birling Gap and some downland |
| 1983 | Graham Collins, owner of the Birling Gap Hotel, saves a life and receives recognition for his actions |
| 1984 | The Birling Gap Safety Boat organisation is founded by Graham Collins to help save further lives at sea |
| 1991 | The coastguard tower on the hill is demolished |
| 1994 | January, the steps are repositioned, completed and reopened in July |
| 1994 | March, the second cottage is demolished |
| 1999 | The Belle Tout Lighthouse is moved 15 metres back from the eroding cliff edge |
| 2002 | In March another cottage is demolished |
| 2010 | The National Trust take over the management of the Birling Gap Hotel and begin the renovation and refurbishment to provide a cafe, shop and visitor centre |
| 2010 | The Belle Tout Lighthouse opens as a unique bed and breakfast offering an unforgettable stay with 360 degree views of Beachy Head, Birling Gap, The Seven Sisters and downland |
| 2013 | The Beachy Head Lighthouse receives its new stripes after money was raised to help cover the cost of re-painting |
| 2014 | Another cottage is demolished |
| 2014 | The Birling Gap Safety Boat boathouse is demolished due to erosion |
| 2016 | The Birling Gap Safety Boat organisation is wound-up |
| 2017 | In October, the National Trust begin the process of relocating the steps |
| 2017 | In December, Rob Wassell publishes The Story of Birling Gap, the first book of its kind specifically about Birling Gap |
| 2018 | In January, the steps are finally complete and beach access is restored |
| 2023 | In January, The National Trust have moved the café to the back of the build due to the original cafe being too close to the edge of the eroding cliff edge. Additional information The Argus and Sussex Express |
| 2023 | In September, plans are in place to demolish the original café at the front of the building and the west wing of the building. |