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Home> Walks> England> Hampshire> The Allies’ giant Lepe

The Allies’ giant Lepe

Recommended by
Our view
"Explore one of Hampshire’s most important wartime sites at Lepe Country Park."
Walk directions

From the beach car park, walk up the gravelled slope to the right of the café and then turn right along the gravelled path at the top of the low cliff. (From the upper car park, just head towards the cliff and then urn left). Pass the war memorial anchor and continue between the gateposts to reach the wide sandy track behind the beach.

Pass the yellow gas pipeline markers at Stansore Point, where the track merges with the shingle bank and continue past the ‘Dolphins’. These two historic offshore structures are all that remains of the former pierhead and mark the start of the D-Day construction area.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Sand and shingle beach, also gravel and grassy paths
  Landscape  - Coastal scenery with adjoining meadowland
  Dog friendliness  - No dogs on the adjoining family beach (just off this route) April–September
  Parking  - Country Park car parks (pay-and-display)
  Toilets en route  - By cafe at the start
Walks in Hampshire Dog-friendly walks in Hampshire Family friendly walks in Hampshire
About the walk
More than two years of military planning went into the invasion of France on D-Day, 6 June, 1944. To move some 160,000 men across the English Channel on a single day would have been an extraordinary feat in peacetime. To have achieved it in wartime under heavy fire seems little short of miraculous,...
Read more
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About the area
Hampshire’s varied landscape of hills and heaths, downlands and forests, valleys and coast are without rival in southern England. Hike across the chalk downland of the north Hampshire ‘highlands’, meander along peaceful paths through unspoilt river valleys of the Test, Itchen, Avon and Meon, or explore the lonely salt marshes and the beautiful medieval forest and heathland of the New Forest.
Explore Hampshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Master Builder's House
★★★★
awardaward
"Good attention to detail and strong sense of customer care...."
  • Family rooms: 4
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Inn
Duke of York Inn
★★★
award
"Large inn with comfortable rooms and warm hospitality..."
  • Rooms 12
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Holiday Park
Waverley Park Holiday Centre
★★★★
award
"Isle of Wight holiday park a stroll away from Cowes...."
Nearby places to stay
Master Builder's House
The tranquil Beaulieu River, on the Beaulieu estate, is the setting for the Master Builder's House, that dates from when many naval ships were built in Buckler’s Hard. The main house be...
★★★★    Rating
Duke of York Inn
The Duke of York , a very welcoming family-run inn for many years. Ideally located only a short walk from the chain ferry & Cowes boating community & close to the centre. Comfortable en...
★★★    Rating
Waverley Park Holiday Centre
A very well situated family park offering some extremely good sea views. Tiered grounds offering very good locations for enjoying the surrounding area....
★★★★    Rating
The Montagu Arms Hotel
Situated at the heart of a charming village and surrounded by glorious New Forest scenery, The Montagu Arms Hotel dates back to 1742, and still retains the character of a traditional co...
★★★★    Rating
Quarters Hamble
Quarters Hamble is tucked away in a quiet close near the river and yacht clubs, making it a particularly popular place for keen sailors. A short walk from the village with its restauran...
★★★★    Rating
Quarters Hamble
Quarters Hamble is tucked away in a quiet close near the river and yacht clubs, making it a particularly popular place for keen sailors. A short walk from the village with its restauran...
★★★★    Rating
The Prince Consort
The Prince Consort is just five minutes' walk from the seafront, and enjoys a friendly atmosphere. Food is available every evening in the spacious bar and restaurant. Bedrooms are conte...
★★★    Rating
Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat
This luxury park is located on the north-east shore of the Isle of Wight near Wootton Bridge – the setting is absolutely fabulous and the sloping terrain offers lovely views over the So...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Henry's
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of York Inn
The Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Bugle
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Henry's
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of York Inn
The Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Bugle
   AA Rosette Award
Prince Consort
The Fishbourne
Harper’s Steakhouse Southampton
The Jetty
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
45min
Dog-friendly Family-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
2 miles (3.2kms)

Ascent:
16ft (5m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Hampshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Hampshire

The Allies’ giant Lepe

Recommended by
Our view
"Explore one of Hampshire’s most important wartime sites at Lepe Country Park."
Walk details
45min
Dog friendly Family friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
2 miles (3.2kms)
Ascent:
16ft (5m)
Walk directions

From the beach car park, walk up the gravelled slope to the right of the café and then turn right along the gravelled path at the top of the low cliff. (From the upper car park, just head towards the cliff and then urn left). Pass the war memorial anchor and continue between the gateposts to reach the wide sandy track behind the beach.
1 of 4

Pass the yellow gas pipeline markers at Stansore Point, where the track merges with the shingle bank and continue past the ‘Dolphins’. These two historic offshore structures are all that remains of the former pierhead and mark the start of the D-Day construction area.
2 of 4

Walk to the end of the construction platforms. The seaward side is badly eroded at the northern end but you can still see the rolling track walls and get a good idea of the scale of this project.
3 of 4

Turn and retrace your steps to Point 2. Rejoin the gravelled path as it bears inland past the gate on your right; then 60yds (55m) further on, turn right through the gap into the wildflower meadows. Follow the right-hand hedge until the faint grassy path swings left through the trees into the upper car park. Walk past the children’s play area and down the slope to the beach car park.
4 of 4
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Sand and shingle beach, also gravel and grassy paths
  Landscape - Coastal scenery with adjoining meadowland
  Dog friendliness - No dogs on the adjoining family beach (just off this route) April–September
  Parking - Country Park car parks (pay-and-display)
  Toilets en route - By cafe at the start
Walks in Hampshire Dog-friendly walks in Hampshire Family friendly walks in Hampshire
About the walk
More than two years of military planning went into the invasion of France on D-Day, 6 June, 1944. To move some 160,000 men across the English Channel on a single day would have been an extraordinary feat in peacetime. To have achieved it in wartime under heavy fire seems little short of miraculous,...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Hampshire
Hampshire’s varied landscape of hills and heaths, downlands and forests, valleys and coast are without rival in southern England. Hike across the chalk downland of the north Hampshire ‘highlands’, meander along peaceful paths through unspoilt river valleys of the Test, Itchen, Avon and Meon, or explore the lonely salt marshes and the beautiful medieval forest and heathland of the New Forest.
Explore Hampshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Master Builder's House
★★★★
awardaward
"Good attention to detail and strong sense of customer care...."
  • Family rooms: 4
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Inn
Duke of York Inn
★★★
award
"Large inn with comfortable rooms and warm hospitality..."
  • Rooms 12
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Holiday Park
Waverley Park Holiday Centre
★★★★
award
"Isle of Wight holiday park a stroll away from Cowes...."
Nearby places to stay
Master Builder's House
The tranquil Beaulieu River, on the Beaulieu estate, is the setting for the Master Builder's House, that dates from when many naval ships were built in Buckler’s Hard. The main house be...
★★★★    Rating
Duke of York Inn
The Duke of York , a very welcoming family-run inn for many years. Ideally located only a short walk from the chain ferry & Cowes boating community & close to the centre. Comfortable en...
★★★    Rating
Waverley Park Holiday Centre
A very well situated family park offering some extremely good sea views. Tiered grounds offering very good locations for enjoying the surrounding area....
★★★★    Rating
The Montagu Arms Hotel
Situated at the heart of a charming village and surrounded by glorious New Forest scenery, The Montagu Arms Hotel dates back to 1742, and still retains the character of a traditional co...
★★★★    Rating
Quarters Hamble
Quarters Hamble is tucked away in a quiet close near the river and yacht clubs, making it a particularly popular place for keen sailors. A short walk from the village with its restauran...
★★★★    Rating
Quarters Hamble
Quarters Hamble is tucked away in a quiet close near the river and yacht clubs, making it a particularly popular place for keen sailors. A short walk from the village with its restauran...
★★★★    Rating
The Prince Consort
The Prince Consort is just five minutes' walk from the seafront, and enjoys a friendly atmosphere. Food is available every evening in the spacious bar and restaurant. Bedrooms are conte...
★★★    Rating
Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat
This luxury park is located on the north-east shore of the Isle of Wight near Wootton Bridge – the setting is absolutely fabulous and the sloping terrain offers lovely views over the So...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Henry's
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of York Inn
The Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Bugle
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Henry's
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of York Inn
The Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Bugle
   AA Rosette Award
Prince Consort
The Fishbourne
Harper’s Steakhouse Southampton
The Jetty
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby