By Katie Isham.
Starting a new year is never for the fainthearted and 2026 has toed the line admirably. Sure, the blinding sunshine has helped raise spirits and recharge deleted energy reserves, but what the sunshine giveth, the Baltic temperatures taketh away.
For those of us resolving to be more active, or to spend more time outdoors in the new year, the need for thermals may have hindered much action.
Dear reader, dither ye not and instead leap onto the sandy shingle of Lepe Beach. Most resolutions can be ticked off with a wander along the waters of our fair city so why not start with a visit to the sprawling Solent in the sunshine? Layer up, don the sunglasses and explore Southampton’s most westerly country park.
From the car park (I’m afraid the frugal among us may balk at the enforced parking charges, but I’m assured it helps run the park) turn right and follow the beach westward. We’re here for a walk, right? So avoid eye contact with the gleaming expanse of café lording over the car park. There’ll be time after for a tea in a giant greenhouse on stilts.
There’s also a Solace Sauna hut offering extreme heat if the cold is just too much to bear.
Once you escape these distractions, head down the shoreline. The route leads west along the beach. Choose between the path alongside the road or shimmy down to the shingle of the beach from the outset.
Pass the flat wetland created by the Dark Water tributary across the road and keep eyes peeled for wintering birds. Don’t restrict your twitching to the marshes only; the beach shallows offer birds aplenty. Gulls, cormorants and even a heron shared our resolution to visit the shore on a sunny winter’s afternoon.
Don’t forget to unearth less animated treats too. Low tide clears the way to spot interestingly eroded groynes as well as the familiar shells and stones of the most mischievous shapes. Tramp over the stones and discover real treasure.
The path soon narrows (impossible not to succumb to the pure pleasure of cat-walking along the raised wall) and passes by the famous shape of the Watch House dipping a figurative toe into the Solent. This black and white cottage has faced off against the wailing winds since 1828. Take the obligatory photo and continue westward.
A little further along, the footpath by the cliff ends with a bench of epic sitting possibilities. The friendly figure of the Millennium Beacon, the cutest lighthouse to grace the shore, peeps out from the foliage above, watching over the landscape.
Once the bench has relinquished its hold, continue along the beach. Another grand feat of architecture looms over the cliff line. Lepe House is a jewel of Edwardian beauty and against a bright blue sky, it could be hung in the Louvre. Gaze up and watch for movement in the windows. There’s a bust staring back enjoying the greatest view across to the Isle of Wight.
The Forster family maintain the house as part of the Lepe Estate and it dates back to the late 19th century. It was a pub, a smuggler haunt and later a base for the planning and launch of D-Day. It’s seen much drama as well as the daily lapping of the waves across the Solent.
There’s a loop around Lepe if a whiff of adventure is in the air: follow the signposts inland and circle the estate if time is generous. Otherwise, the beach stretches far and wide until interrupted by the Beaulieu River. Foot traffic is quiet as weaker new year resolvers fear the winter wind, so enjoy the calm along the shore. Wander further up or meander eastward back towards the start (remember there’s a café calling) whilst enjoying the sea breeze.
Listen closely to hear resolutions on the wind. I will exercise more. I will spend more time in nature. I will collect more knobbly stones that look like animals. Granted, some of these resolutions will be more common than others. Yet whatever resolution is rattling through frozen January brains, Lepe will provide assistance. Trust in the power of a sunny day at the seaside, and facing a new year won’t seem so daunting.
Cost: Free to visit Lepe Country Park but travel incurs a cost either in the parking charges or for the bus fare. If you succumb to the refreshments on offer, more costs will be incurred.
Accessibility: Lepe feels like a long way from the city at the very tip of the Waterside edge and so travel in any fashion takes a fair effort. A car is the easiest way to arrive but buses are another option: Bluestar 9 travels as far as Langley farm or Calshot leaving the rest to cover on foot. The path along the shore can be accessed by all to start but then it morphs into gravel and then later becomes part of the beach which can be fun for some who are lucky enough to be able to handle the shingle.
Facilities: The Country Park offer standard facilities of toilets, café, car park as well as playground, seasonal ice cream van and even a Solace Sauna these days.
More information: hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/lepe
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