Lepe Country Park Travel Guide

Lepe beach is a popular hotspot for new forest residents to enjoy a brisk walk along the beach in the winter. Whereas, in the summer the park is a popular day trip for families with kids, to enjoy the tree lined adventure playground, or barbecue in the raised picnic area. The beach is a stone and sand beach and is open all year round for walks, but dogs are not allowed on the beach between April and September inclusive.

There is ample parking for cars, which is free for those with disabled badges and different charges apply depending upon the time of the year and number of hours parked. Parking is thought to be inexpensive if staying for the entire day, even at the height of the summer season. Once parked, there are many activities for the traveller to choose from. Facilities on offer are the refurbished cafe which was finished in late 2010, with a small shop offering for sale essential beach items such as buckets and spades, along with local artwork.

The cafe is light and airy and has marvellous views of the beach and sea with the outlook to the Isle of Wight. Being served are hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and cakes, and hot snack food such as jacket potatoes. The opening hours of the cafe vary depending upon the time of the year but is open every day of the week during all school holidays except Christmas day. In good weather or the summer months, a great alternative to the cafe is to hire a barbecue from the office at Lepe (advance booking required). There are two available for hire and two defined areas for barbecues hired this way. This is an excellent idea for an outdoor children’s party.

Picnic tables are on site in the play area and in the grassy area at the top above the beach. Many pleasant afternoons by families can be spent playing in the play area, then having a picnic with a hot tea or coffee from the cafe. For the price of the car parking ticket and a cup of tea, a family can spend a fun time, beach combing, walking and running and playing ball games or Frisbee. Kids love the play area and having competitions as to who can complete the balance equipment without touching the ground.

Nature lovers will love the Lepe Country park, and many winter and summer birds can be seen congregating in the area and around the water. Photographers will appreciate the light and the scenery. There are a number of walking routes around Lepe, and the information centre has small maps for sale for a small amount of money. Additionally, there are leaflets and information about the type of wildlife that can be seen and found around the parkland and the beach area. This gives the children an activity that is value for money and keeps them entertained, searching for different types of sea birds, or creepy crawlies. In the school holidays, there are often organised nature trail that children can join in – some are free of charge and others make a small fee per child.

The history of Lepe and the surrounding area of course goes back a long way, however Lepe has seen much action in the past and particularly during the second World War.

As a family day out, there is a large enclosed play area with swings, slides, balance logs and ropes for children and adults alike to enjoy. No dogs are allowed in the children’s play area which is important for many families with small children. The large grassy area near the top car park is ideal for ball games, and small kite flying. Dogs are allowed in this area, and there are dog waste bins provided for dog owners. There are several benches around the parkland that have splendid views out to the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight. At the far end of the parkland one can get a marvellous view of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

Furzey gardens benefit the charity which supports work with adults with learning disabilities, who are given paid jobs to do at the gardens to care and tend patches within the garden teaching - not only gardening skills but life skills.

Lepe Beach is situated on the most south eastern tip of the New Forest, overlooking The Solent and facing The Isle of Wight. Just around the corner is Southampton Water and you can see The Isle of Wight ferry and container ships coming and going.

By road, head to Hill top at the Royal Oak pub, then travel across the New Forest, past Exbury Gardens, then east to Lepe Beach.

From Fawley and Blackfield, head south and follow the sign posts to Lepe Beach.