The Beach

West Wittering is an easy beach to visit with children.

There is a very large car park next to the beach.  There are also a cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

 

 

 

It can be very busy during warm summer days, with traffic blocking the roads to the beaches. 

 

 

 

East Head

At the very end of the car park is East Head, a wild spit of land managed by the National Trust with shingle and sand beaches, dunes and salt marshes.  

 

 

 

If you are very lucky, you may even spot a seal.

 

 

Nearest Town: West Wittering, Near Chichester
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: PO20 8AJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: All day
Buggies: Usual beach issues – some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a large paid for car park by the beach.
Cost of Parking: Varies with the time of year.  If you book in advance you receive a discount.

Wildlife You Might See: Sea life and seabirds

Information Written: May 2016
Information Checked: August 2023

 

Lepe Country Park

If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling, sand castles and fossil finding before the tide comes in and then fairy door hunts, adventure play and a nature walk.

 

 

 

Or if you just want somewhere to relax, just sit back and enjoy the view.

Have a look at the Lepe Country Park website’s map for an overview of the activities on offer.

 

 

 

The Meadows

Alternatively, walk towards the east end of the beach past wild flower meadows on one side and the sea on the other.

 

 

 

This is a buggy friendly route that leads you to the beach, Lepe Point and Stansore Point, where the path becomes much sandier.

 

 

 

 

Lepe Point Nature Reserve

Lepe Point Nature Reserve, is a protected area of woodland and meadows with a boardwalk, pond and bird hide.

 

 

 

 

Stansore Point

Stansore Point is a good place to sit and enjoy the view, whether you want to watch huge ships cruise The Solent or gaze across at the Isle of Wight.

 

 

 

 

The D-Day Remnants

There are D-Day remnants near Stansore Point, including pier heads, construction platforms and slip ways.

 

 

 

You can see pictures and find further details on the New Forest Remembers website.

 

 

 

 

Fossil Finding

At Stansore Point it is also possible to find fossils of shells, plants and mammal bones, including mammoth bones. I understand it is best to look when the tide is out and to bring wellies in case the clay is exposed. Have a look at the UK Fossil Collecting website for full details.

You can also have a look at the western end of the beach where you can find fossil shells and corals. 

 

 

The Dinosaur Footprint

Inside the Visitor Centre is a dinosaur footprint, which was found at Lepe. It is on the floor on the right of the desk by the window.

Please see the Family Fun section of the Lepe website for further details as well as printable activities you can take with you or try at home!

 

 

The Fairy Door Trails

There are two trails to choose from – one through the Sensory Garden and another across the wild flower meadows and cliffs.

The doors are marked on a map and are each in a different type of tree with a little explanation about the kind of fairy living inside. 

 

 

The Beach

There is a family beach area, which is a very short walk from the car park. 

 

 

 

 

Further down the beach, low tide reveals a spit of land where we found crabs amongst the rocks, dug holes to catch the sea, built up huge sand castles and found interesting stones, including one of the bone shaped ‘fossils’ mentioned above.

 

The Play Area

The Lepe Country Park Play Area is a wooden adventure play area with equipment that includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• insect shaped springers
• a seesaw
• play houses
• a double slide with easy to climb stairs
• an obstacle course with logs, stumps, ropes and nets
• a wooden climbing frame
• a snake balance trail
• picnic tables
• seats.

Nearest Town: Exbury, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO45 1AD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: There are some pathways that are buggy friendly along the seafront.  The beach itself can be hard to push a buggy along because it is divided by wooden posts, many of which have rotted to near sand level and are splintered in places.

Parking: There are two pay and display car parks – one next to the play area and fairy trails and another next to the beach, Visitor Centre and cafe. These are connected by stairs that lead down to the beach but we drove between the two because we were using a buggy. We parked easily in both but it must be very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: For April to September start at £2.50 for one hour and an all day ticket costs £9.50.

Wildlife You Might See: Seaside wildlife, seabirds and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

 

The wooden play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• insect shaped springers
• a seesaw
• play houses
• a double slide with easy to climb stairs
• an obstacle course with logs, stumps, ropes and nets
• a wooden climbing frame
• a snake balance trail
• picnic tables
• seats.

 

Lepe Country Park

Lepe Country Park has a huge range of activities on offer.

If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling, sand castles and fossil finding before the tide comes in and then fairy door hunts, adventure play and a nature walk.

 

 

Or if you just want somewhere to relax, just sit back and enjoy the view.

Have a look at the Lepe Country Park website’s map for an overview of the activities on offer.

Nearest Town: Exbury, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO45 1AD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: There are some pathways that are buggy friendly along the seafront.  The beach itself can be hard to push a buggy along because it is divided by wooden posts, many of which have rotted to near sand level and are splintered in places.

Parking: There are two pay and display car parks – one next to the play area and another next to the beach, Visitor Centre and cafe. These are connected by stairs that lead down to the beach but we drove between the two because we were using a buggy. We parked easily in both but it must be very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: For April to September start at £2.50 for one hour and an all day ticket costs £9.50.

Wildlife You Might See: Seaside wildlife, seabirds and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

 

 

 

Finding Fossils

Fossils can be found all over the beach, including:

• fossil shells 

 

• shark teeth 

 

• ray teeth.

You don’t need any special equipment to find the fossils but it is a good idea to bring some towels, containers, and kitchen roll to keep them safe.

The best time to look for fossils is from about an hour before low tide. 

 

 

Other Things to Find

As well as fossils, you can find bits of driftwood, seaweed, shells, crabs, and hermit crabs.

 

 

 

 

Billy’s on the Beach

We always round our trips off with a visit to Billy’s on the Beach, a relaxed, child-friendly beach restaurant and cafe.

 

 

 

 

Watch the Sunset

Billy’s has recently been named as one of the top 25 places in the world to watch the sunset – listed with places like Florida, Bora Bora, and Mexico!

 

 

 

 

Access to the Beach

The car park is next to the beach so access is generally easy but it can be difficult with a buggy because you have to climb down a steep, stoney slope. 

 

 

 

Access is easier from the slipway next to Billy’s.

 

 

 

 

The Tides

Be sure to check the tide times before you visit.

The beach is a sandy expanse (with shingle) when the tide is out but the sand disappears quickly as the tide comes in. 

 

Nearest Town: Bracklesham Bay, Near Chichester
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: PO20 8JH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at Billy’s on the Beach. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, cafe, snacks, ice creams, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a pay and display car park. It can be very busy on warm days.
Cost of Parking: Various

Wildlife You Might See: Sea creatures and seabirds.

Information Written: January 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

 

Hurst Spit

Hurst Spit separates the sea and the Lymington River Estuary.  

 

 

 

 

To one side it has mudflats and salt marshes.  

 

 

 

 

To the other it has the sea and views to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. 

 

 

 

 

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

 

 

Walking to Hurst Castle

The walk to the castle is about two miles and is part of the Solent Way.

It is not the easiest of walks.  Sturdy footwear is recommended and it is hard going with a buggy.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

 

 

Sailing to Hurst Castle

If you would like to visit Hurst Castle but don’t fancy the walk or have little ones with you, then consider the Hurst Castle ferry.  

 

 

 

It is a beautiful 20 minute ferry ride through salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats. 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle is an artillery fort that was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII to protect the Solent, Southampton and Portsmouth.

 

 

 

It is one of the best preserved of Henry VIII’s castles and had an active military role until the mid-20th century.

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP takes you to Keyhaven Car Park and if you keep driving, Hurst Spit. 

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Hurst Spit is free. Children under 5 years enter the castle for free.

Where to Eat: Eat at the Hurst Castle cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: January 2023

 

Hurst Castle

The castle is strategically placed at the end of Hurst Spit, halfway between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. It can only be reached by a little ferry or on foot. 

 

 

 

The castle is a coastal fort so it does not look like a traditional castle. It is low to the ground to make the smallest possible target for enemy ships,

 

 

 

and has thick walls to withstand bombardment.

 

 

 

 

Inside the walls is a labyrinth of passageways, stairs

 

 

 

 

and some enormous guns on display.

 

 

 

 

 

There are also some beautiful views from the ramparts.

 

 

 

 

 

The Ferry – Sailing to Hurst Castle

Our favourite part of the trip was the beautiful twenty minute ferry ride on a boat that takes you past salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats.

 

 

 

The ferries were running every 20 to 30 minutes when we visited. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Spit – Walking to Hurst Castle

You can walk to the castle along Hurst Spit, which is about a two mile walk along the sea. This walk is part of the Solent Way.

 

 

 

Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that juts into The Solent, linking Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It separates the sea from the Lymington River Estuary. 

 

 

 

As this walk takes you over shingle, sturdy footwear is recommended. It is hard going with a buggy.

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP

Opens: There are various opening times depending on the time of year. Please see the websites for details.

Adult Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Under 3 years for the ferry. Under 5 years for the castle.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly but you could bring a buggy if you were prepared to leave it somewhere as you explore the castle, which has lots of steps. I wouldn’t take a buggy onto Hurst Spit as it would be too hard to push. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: June 2020
Information Checked: July 2022

 

Mudeford Quay Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• two wooden springers
• a little zip wire
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and
• a picnic table.

 

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

 

Boats

There are boat trips from the quay, including the Mudeford Ferry, which will take you across Chichester Harbour

 

 

 

 

and to the beach opposite the quay on Mudeford Sandbank and Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve.  

 

 

 

 

The ferry only takes cash and sails at various times during the year so be sure to check their website before you go. 

 

 

 

 

Crabbing

People fish for crabs from the quayside using lines and bait bags, which can be bought on the quayside.

You are asked not to use hooks.

 

 

 

Places to Eat

Along the quay there are a couple of places to eat

 

 

 

 

and also to buy crabbing supplies.

 

 

 

 

 

Muedford Quay Beach

Mudeford Quay Beach is next to the car park and is a small stretch of sandy beach that overlooks Christchurch harbour. 

 

 

 

This beach is a good place to launch a boat, kayak, paddle board etc or to play in the sand.

 

 

 

 

It’s not really somewhere suitable to paddle or play in the water as it is muddy.

 

 

 

 

Avon Beach

Avon Beach starts next to the car park, where it is a mixture of sand and shingle.

Further along the beach it becomes sandier. 

 

 

There is a track running alongside the beach that you can use to find the Avon Beach facilities, which include a shop, cafe and toilets.  

 

 

Mudeford Quay Play Area

Next to the quay and car park is Mudeford Quay Play Area, a small adventure play area dominated by a huge ship to plunder. 

 

 

 

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• two wooden springers
• a little zip wire
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

 

Mudeford Quay Beach

This beach is a good place to launch a boat, kayak etc or to play in the sand.

 

 

 

 

It’s not really somewhere suitable to paddle or play in the water as it is muddy.

 

 

 

Instead, take the ferry to to the beach opposite the quay on Mudeford Sandbank or walk down to Avon Beach. 

 

 

 

 

Mudeford Quay 

Mudeford Quay is a working fishing harbour at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour.

 

 

 

 

You can ride a ferry,

 

 

 

 

 

try crabbing

 

 

 

 

 

or just relax on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

Crabbing 

People fish for crabs from the quayside using lines and bait bags, which can be bought on the quayside. You are asked not to use hooks.

 

 

Mudeford Quay Play Area

Next to the quay and car park is Mudeford Quay Play Area, a small adventure play area dominated by a huge ship to plunder. 

 

 

 

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• two wooden springers
• a little zip wire
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

 

The Recreation Ground

The play equipment includes:

• a multiplay with a big slide and a small slide, nets, a tunnel, bridges and a fireman’s pole
• an obstacle course
• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• a spinner
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• a music area
• a duck and a horse springer
• a zip wire
• a climbing frame for older children
• a climbing wall
• seats.

 

Next to the play area is a basketball net and a field with a football pitch.

There are also public toilets.

 

 

Highcliffe Beach

Highcliffe Beach is very nearby and you can enjoy spectacular views, playing on the beach finding fossils or eating at the child-friendly Cliffhanger Cafe.

Nearest Town: Highcliffe, near Christchurch and Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 5ET

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the local cafes. 
Facilities: Toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large car park
Cost of Parking: Various depending on the season.

Information Written: July 2022