Lepe Beach Campsite
UK England South East England Hampshire Beaulieu
There’s no doubt the canniest campers come to the Hampshire coast. While those with a stripy windbreak under one arm and a copy of The Lonely Planet under the other flock to the South West counties, this quieter stretch of coastline – often overshadowed by the neighbouring New Forest – is an ideal spot to avoid the crowds. Not only can you stroll along wide beaches and board-walk your way through marshy nature reserves but, if the British weather does make a turn for the worst, there’s the added insurance of the national park’s genteel villages, museums and country homes, just a stone’s throw away.
Only yards from the beach (seriously, how many campsites can say that?), Lepe Beach Campsite is a traditional camping field that offers nothing flashy but, instead, focuses on doing the basics well – in fact, very well. Facilities are immaculately kept, pitches are flat, well-maintained and campfires are permitted with pits available to hire and wood for purchase. Campervans and caravans are not permitted, giving the whole campsite a more peaceful, informal ambience – you can pitch where you like with enough space that you needn’t tread on others’ toes – and if you really can’t bear roughing it, there are pre-furnished tents which include camp beds, camping chairs and plenty of cooking utensils.
Though the campsite doesn’t have a playground of its own, it backs onto Lepe Country Park where there’s a large picnic area, climbing frame and swings for little 'uns to roam. Really, the country park and the campsite seem to roll into one, making it a thoroughly family-friendly location, with the added bonus of Lepe Beach Café & Shop down on the waterfront, which serves afternoon tea and delicious hand-made cakes.
The views from Lepe Beach Campsite's enviably vantage point are ridiculously picturesque, taking in the Isle of Wight and, to the east, the marsh and sand flats of the Solent National Nature Reserve. But if you do venture inland, the charming lost-in-time village of Beaulieu or rhododendron covered Exbury Gardens, are both less than 15 minutes by car. But in truth, the New Forest is a paradise for non-motorised transportation and anyone renting a horse, bike or packing just a pair of walking boots will probably end up forgetting about the car altogether.
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Why book with I Love This Campsite?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
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- Trusted for over 10 years
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The campsite owner says
Lepe Beach Campsite is operated by EazyCamp and offer fantastic camping breaks during the Summer Holidays 150 yards from Lepe Beach and next door to Lepe Country Park. Offering a choice of Pre-Erected Tents & Equipment or pitch space for you to bring you own tent, we are the ONLY Campsite in the New Forest that offers Sea Views from virtually every pitch and being only a 2 minute walk to the beach. Not only do we have the beach on our doorstep, there are so many great attractions close by that we're sure you'll have a fabulous time with us. Apart from the stunning views, we have toilets, showers and washing up facilities to make things more civilised. We will also be offering Pit fire Hire, Camp Fire Wood and Ice Pack Hire onsite so why not pre-book this early to avoid disappointment.Why book with I Love This Campsite?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
Lepe Beach Campsite
Lepe Beach Campsite, Lepe Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1AD
Camping Pitches & Accommodation
Up to 100 camping pitches and 25 pre-pitched, ready-furnished tents. Please be advised each BYO pitch accommodates 1 tent. If you are camping with more than 1 tent, you will need to book extra pitches for each.
Campsite Facilities
Toilets, showers, washing up area, general and recycling waste bins, ice-pack hire, ice-pack re-freezing (50p per pack), firewood packs and firepit hire (£5 per night; minimum hire 2 nights). Reception is open 9am–7pm. You can park next to your pitch and tent pitches are flat. Beach fishing available. Pre-erected tents also available to hire and include camp beds, camping chairs, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils, small chopping board, cooking table, washing up bowl, a cook stove.
Things to do
Just the other side of the hedge/fence, Lepe Country Park has a children's play area and there is a picnic space with tables – a nice spot to enjoy the view if you're lunching at the campsite. It's a 150-yard stroll down to sandy Lepe Beach, while, 100 yards in the opposite direction there is also a nature reserve. Venture inland to chug on a steam train through the vibrant colours of Exbury Gardens (023 8089 1203; see also Food & Drink) or a little further to the renowned ship building village of Bucklers Hard, now a popular tourist stop. It's 7 miles to Beaulieu, home to the National Motor Museum (01590 612345) but also a lovely village to explore in its own right. Families can also take refuge in Paultons Park (023 8081 4442) – a theme park (home to Peppa Pig World) 25 minute's away.
Eat & Drink
It's 2 miles to Langley where there is a small supermarket, pubs, takeaway food and a cash-point (only cash is accepted for most things at the campsite). For a daytime treat, though, drive the 3 miles to Exbury Gardens (023 8089 1203) – expansive woodland gardens with abundant rhododendrons and azaleas plus steam train rides in high season – where Mr Eddie's Tea Rooms (023 8089 8737) offers tasty cakes and treats.
Opening Dates
Whitsun May half-term – end of August.
Prices
BYO tent pitch and up to 4 people £32.50 per night (2-night minimum). Extra campers £5 per night (to a maximum of 8 per pitch).
Pre-pitched tent with camping equipment from £57 per night including 4 people. Extra campers £11 per night (to a maximum of 6 per tent). Saturday and Wednesday start days only.
Travel Directions
From Southampton follow the A362 south, continue as it becomes the Hythe By Pass and then the A362 again. After a while you will begin to see brown tourist sign for Lepe Country Park. Where the A362 ends, at a roundabout on the edge of Holbury, take the second exit (with a brown tourist sign) and continue on this road fora further 3 miles. The campsite is next to the Lepe Country Park car park, so if you follow the signs it’s tough to go wrong.
Transport
During the school holidays there is a direct, hourly Beach Bus service to Lepe Beach from Beaulieu and Lymington.
Campsite Facilities
- No pets allowed
- Campfires permitted
- Good for kids
- Children’s playground
- Showers
Good for...
- Nice Views from Site
- Waterside Campsite
- Short walk to beach
- Beaches nearby
- Fishing nearby
- Good walks nearby
- Bicycle routes nearby
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