Lepe Country Park and the Lepe Loop
Hampshire
Lepe Country Park sits on the Solent shore within the New Forest National Park, looking directly across to the Isle of Wight from the mouth of the Beaulieu River, with dogs welcome on the wider eastern beach all year even when the main family beach closes each summer. During the Second World War the beach was a departure point for the D-Day landings, and the remains of a Mulberry harbour construction site and the start of the PLUTO fuel pipeline can still be seen on the foreshore, along with a clifftop memorial to those lost in the invasion. The Lepe Loop is a five mile (8km) circular walk that leaves the coast and heads inland through the fields and lanes of the Exbury estate before returning to the shore, taking around two hours at a gentle pace on a mix of coast path, farm tracks and country lanes.
This dog friendly walk combines a proper stretch of beach with quiet countryside. Dogs are welcome throughout the park and on most of the beach all year, though the family section asks for no dogs between April and September; the wider eastern beach near the D-Day remains stays open to dogs year round, though tides and currents mean it is not a place for swimming. There is little livestock inland, so a dog with good recall can have off-lead time on the farm tracks, though the lanes carry occasional traffic. The beach cafe serves hot and cold snacks, and the clifftop lawns suit a break with your dog.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Beach cafe with hot and cold snacks and a gift shop; toilets and a playground at the main site; no facilities on the inland Exbury section.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks at Lepe; the Western car park suits the Lepe Loop but closes November to March, when the main or beach car parks are the alternative.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lepe Country Park and the Lepe Loop, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Dairy Cottage - Carisbrooke
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £583 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in HampshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lepe Country Park and the Lepe Loop dog friendly?
Lepe scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it earns that rating. Dogs are welcome throughout the park and on most of the beach year round, with the wider eastern beach near the D-Day remains staying open to dogs even during summer when the main family beach asks for no dogs between April and September. The clifftop lawns and beach cafe area are also dog friendly, making it a genuinely easy place to spend a few hours with your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Lepe Country Park and the Lepe Loop?
There are good opportunities for off-lead time, particularly on the farm tracks of the Exbury estate section of the Lepe Loop, where livestock is described as minimal. The country lanes do carry occasional traffic, so leads are sensible there, and while the beach itself is open to dogs, tides and currents make the water unsuitable for swimming, so it's worth keeping that in mind near the shore.
What should I know before visiting Lepe Country Park and the Lepe Loop with my dog?
The key seasonal detail to be aware of is the dog restriction on the main family beach between April and September, though the wider eastern beach near the D-Day remains is open to dogs all year. It's also worth noting that the Western car park, which is the most convenient starting point for the Lepe Loop, closes between November and March — outside those months the main or beach car parks are the alternative. The beach cafe offers hot and cold snacks if you need a break mid-visit, and the whole loop covers around five miles at a mostly flat, gentle pace.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Beach0.4 mi awayLepe Beach
Hampshire
A National Trust Solent foreshore with year-round access, D-Day history and sweeping views to Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Beach2.3 mi awayGurnard Beach
Isle of Wight
A quiet shingle and pebble beach on the northern Isle of Wight coast between Cowes and Thorness Bay, with Solent views, seasonal dog restrictions in summer, and a pleasantly unhurried village atmosphere.
Beach2.7 mi awayCowes Beach
Isle of Wight
An urban shingle beach in the heart of the Isle of Wight's famous sailing town, with Solent views, seasonal dog restrictions from May to September, and the full backdrop of one of the UK's great maritime destinations.
Beach3.3 mi awayCalshot Beach
Hampshire
A shingle spit at the entrance to Southampton Water with year-round access and Calshot Castle as backdrop.
Walk3.7 mi awayWarsash to Hamble River Walk
Hampshire
A coastal and riverside path following the Hamble Estuary with sailing views and classic Hampshire water scenery.
Attraction4.8 mi awayOsborne
Isle of Wight
Victoria and Albert's seaside palace, with terraced gardens and vast grounds for your dog, though the house, cafe and beach are assistance dogs only.