Find a coastal walk in Hampshire

In Hampshire, we’re lucky to have 230 miles of beautiful coastline, stretching from Highcliffe on the border of Dorset across to Chichester Harbour in West Sussex. Across the coast, you’ll find cities, towns and villages, clifftops, marshes, and marinas. With so many walks to choose from, we’re sharing four of our favourite coastal walks for you to try.

The best walk for kids: Story of time trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park

Starting point: the chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park

Distance: less than one mile

Get the little ones out on a walk in nature with the story of time trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park. This short trail starts outside the park’s chapel and takes you along the shore where you’ll get a brilliant view across Southampton Water over to Fawley. Follow the story to help Professor Nutrino stitch time back together as you journey through the woodland and past the railway, with a stop in the sensory garden. The route ends at the playground – a well-deserved treat at the end of your walk!

Royal Victoria Country Park has all the facilities you need for family fun, with parking, toilets, accessible play equipment and the Cedar Rooms café.

Why you’ll love it: this short trail is great for engaging children with nature and has all the amenities you need for a fun and comfortable walk.

The best circular walk: Lepe Loop

Starting point: Lepe Country Park

Distance: 5 miles

Starting at Lepe Country Park, the Lepe Loop is a five-mile circular route taking you on a tour of coast and country. The country park has a restaurant and toilets, so your walk can start and end in comfort.

All year round, Lepe is host to a diverse range of wildlife, from over-wintering birds to beautiful butterflies. The trail will take you past some of the country park’s unique habitats like Haxland Pits, which was once used by farmers to extract marl for their fields. This isn’t the only piece of history you’ll stroll past on this walk. You’ll get to see the coastguard cottages and watchhouse, which you can learn more about in our video on the hidden histories of Lepe Country Park. As well as all this, you’ll be treated to a beautiful view across the Solent.

The route starts and ends in the same place, meaning you won’t finish miles away from where you started.

Why you’ll love it: this circular walk gives you the opportunity to spot unique wildlife and learn about the area’s history.

The best long-distance walk: The Solent Way

Starting point: Milford-on-sea

Distance: 60 miles, which can be divided into a section that suits you

This route is perfect for walkers looking for their next challenge. Spanning 60 miles, The Solent Way runs from Milford-on-Sea to Emsworth and showcases some of Hampshire’s most fascinating naval history. The route can be divided into eight sections, so you can tackle as much or as little as you want in one go. Each section has something different to offer, from historic monuments to breathtaking landscapes to rare wildlife species. The path is well waymarked with a bird – a tern – on a green arrow, making it a breeze to navigate.

There are pubs, restaurants and other attractions along the way so you can treat yourself with a well-earned break!

Why you’ll love it: this long-distance trail is well signposted, with lots to see and do along the way, like pubs and tourist attractions. Plus, it can be broken down into sections, meaning you can choose the part you’d most like to do.

The best walk for record breakers: King Charles III England Coast Path

Starting point: Calshot Spit or Old Portsmouth

Distance: 52 miles

Take on part of what’s set to become one of the world’s longest walking routes, the King Charles III England Coast Path. Hampshire’s stretch runs from Calshot to Portsmouth, with more set to open in the future. The route takes you past some of the treasures of the south coast like Calshot Activities Centre, Netley Abbey, and Portchester Castle.

Once the route is fully opened, you’ll be able to walk England’s coastline in its entirety!

As the effects of climate change impact our coastline, paths may become inaccessible due to storms and unusually high tides. Remember to check tide times and follow safety signs and diversions.