Lepe Beach in Hampshire, forms part of Lepe Country Park. Predominately a stone / shingle beach, Lepe Beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Situated on the edge of the New Forest, it has beautiful beaches, and walks that can equal other New Forest Walks.
This is not just a place to visit for a day at the seaside. Lepe Beach has an intriguing history. Involved in the D-Day Landings, and the cold war. It also was a hot spot for smugglers.
Quick Video including Lepe Beach
Information
- Address is: Lepe, Southampton SO45 1AD
- Parking: 1h = £2.20 — 2h £3.50 — 4h £5.00 — Full Day £6.50 — Annual Pass £60
- Admission price: Free – Apart from the parking charge
- Opening times:
Winter (November to March): 7am to 7pm
Summer (April to October): 7am to 10pm - More information, please check official website
Getting There
Located South of Southampton, on the west side of the Southampton water, Lepe Beach is easily accessible via the A326 which leaves the M27 at Jct 2.
As you arrive, the number plate recognition parking system takes a careful note of your number. This means there is no messing around with Pay & Display, or guessing how long you might stay.
Parking can be tough in the holidays, or during a nice day at weekends. So much so, it operates a “one in, one out” policy. There are 3 car parks around the beach, but the one beachside is obviously the closest.
Once you have traversed the gravel car park, negotiated the potholes, and parked, you are free to explore Lepe Beach.
When the tide is in (check here for tidal times) the beach near the car park is probably only 10 meters. If you walk East along the coast you get more of a beach. And quite a substantial one when the tide is out.
Things to do
It’s a beach. Paddle, Swim. Build sandcastles.
Sit in your deckchair enjoying the views to the Isle of Wight.
When the tide is out, small pools form in the soggy seabed left behind. Head out with a net and bucket and see what sea life has been stranded on Lepe Beach.
There is a cafe on the beach. Aptly named The Lookout, it opened back in May 2019, and if you want to know more about this, then just click here, and you will find out all you need!
Unsurprisingly, it is very busy when the sun is out, and you could be waiting for an hour for food.
Summary
We live 15 minutes away, so this beach, and Lepe Beach, is one of our favourite places to visit, with or without Max, our son.
Here is another post I wrote about a visit there a couple of years ago, and a few more photos below. Any fans of Lepe Beach reading this, let me know why you like it!
