ENCHANTING NEW FOREST TRAIL & LEPE BEACH WEEKEND 26
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ENCHANTING NEW FOREST TRAIL & LEPE BEACH WEEKEND 26

Price range: £55.45 through £75.45

🌳 Enchanted New Forest & Lepe Beach Weekend

📅 Date: Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th September 2026
📍 Location: Brockenhurst & Lepe Beach, Hampshire
🥾 Distance: 11 miles (Saturday) + 4.5 miles (Sunday)
⏱️ Time: 4–5 hours each day

About the Adventure

Join Julia Doherty for a magical weekend where ancient woodland meets the sea.
This two-day walking escape combines the best of the New Forest National Park —
towering redwoods, mossy trails, and wild ponies, with the coastal beauty of Lepe Beach.

On Saturday, explore the legendary Tall Trees Trail, a breathtaking route through Brockenhurst’s majestic forest,
stopping at the Rhinefield Arboretum for lunch among trees from around the world.
On Sunday, we’ll trade trees for tide as we head to Lepe Country Park for a scenic coastal loop —
the perfect, gentle finish to the weekend.

Expect good company, peaceful trails, and plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way. 🌲🌊

What’s Included

  • ✅ Two days of guided walks led by Julia Doherty (fully qualified & insured)
  • ✅ GPX files and detailed route information
  • ✅ Private WhatsApp group for updates & car shares
  • ✅ Pre-walk safety briefings
  • ✅ Optional Saturday group meal in Brockenhurst
  • ✅ Free sweets at the halfway point (Adventure Geek tradition!) 🍬

Good to Know

  • Grade: Moderate – forest and coastal paths with some gentle inclines
  • Pace: Relaxed and social (not a race!)
  • Dogs: Welcome on both walks 🐾
  • Accommodation: Choose your style – camping, country inn, or hotel
  • Parking: Brockenhurst Station & Lepe Country Park (fees apply)

🎯 If you love walking, trees, and the sea, this is the perfect weekend escape.
A feel-good adventure full of fresh air, laughter, and natural beauty — the kind of trip you’ll remember long after you’ve brushed the sand off your boots.

Pay a deposit of £15.00 per item
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Overview & Itinerary

Dates: Friday 18th – Sunday 20th September 2026

Location: The New Forest & Lepe Beach, Hampshire

Trip Leader: Julia Doherty

Trip Overview

A magical weekend that blends towering redwoods and tranquil forest trails around Brockenhurst
with the coastal charm of Lepe Beach. Expect peaceful paths, friendly company, and plenty of photo moments.

Itinerary

Friday – Travel & Settle In

  • Arrive at your chosen accommodation (AG crew will likely stay at Lytton Lawn Touring Park).
  • Optional short leg-stretch in the evening and pre-walk prep.

Saturday – Brockenhurst & Tall Trees Trail (approx. 11 miles)

  • 09:30 – Walkers’ briefing at Brockenhurst Station Car Park.
  • Forest loop featuring majestic redwoods and firs along the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
  • Picnic lunch stop at Rhinefield Arboretum.
  • Finish back through New Forest heath and woodland.
  • Optional evening meal: The Commoners Bar & Kitchen, Brockenhurst.

Sunday – Lepe Beach Circular (approx. 4.5 miles)

  • 09:30 – Meet at Lepe Country Park, Exbury.
  • Coastal path with a mix of beach, quiet lanes, and woodland sections.
  • Post-walk refreshments at The Lookout Café before departures.

Is this for me?

Short answer: If you enjoy friendly group walks, big trees, and a dash of seaside — yes! 🌳🌊

✅ Quick Suitability Checklist

  • You’re happy walking up to around 11 miles on Saturday and 4.5 miles on Sunday.
  • You’re comfortable on gravel, forest trails, and coastal paths with gentle inclines.
  • You like a social, supportive atmosphere with plenty of photo stops and snack breaks.
  • You’re okay with a moderate pace — we walk, chat, and enjoy, not race.
  • You don’t mind a picnic lunch on Saturday and a café lunch on Sunday. ☕🥪

💚 Who Will Love This Weekend

  • Nature lovers who want a mix of forest and sea views.
  • Solo adventurers — friendly group, easy intros, zero awkwardness.
  • Friends or couples looking for a relaxed, active break.
  • Dog owners — both walks are dog-friendly. 🐾
  • Newer walkers who want to step up to moderate distances in a supportive group.

⚠️ Who Might Not Enjoy It

  • Those who prefer very fast or technical hiking.
  • Anyone who needs completely flat terrain or very short walks.
  • People who dislike group settings or shared pacing.

🚶‍♀️ Pace & Terrain

  • Pace: Steady and social, with natural breaks for photos and scenery.
  • Terrain: Mostly gravel and woodland trails on Saturday; coastal paths and quiet lanes on Sunday.
  • Elevation: Gentle undulations — no big climbs.
  • Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or boots recommended (it can get muddy if it’s been raining).

🐶 Dogs

  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome — please keep them under control and follow local signage.
  • Bring water, poo bags, and a towel for sandy paws after Lepe Beach.

🌟 Group Vibe & Logistics

  • Friendly & inclusive: Come as you are — solo, with friends, or with your pup.
  • Morning briefings: Clear safety and route info each day at 9:30am.
  • Food: Picnic lunch on Saturday, café at The Lookout on Sunday.
  • Evening: Optional group meal on Saturday night in Brockenhurst.

Accommodation Options

We’ve chosen accommodation options to suit all budgets and styles — from peaceful camping to cosy country hotels.
The Adventure Geek crew will be staying at Lytton Lawn Touring Park, but you’re free to choose whichever option best fits you.

🌟 Premium Hotel Option – Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn, Brockenhurst

In the heart of the New Forest, this charming country hotel combines comfort, warmth, and a touch of luxury.
Expect log fires, a sun terrace, and locally sourced food in the on-site restaurant.

  • Beautiful garden setting and dog-friendly rooms available.
  • Located close to the village centre and just a short drive from the trail start.
  • Ideal for those who prefer a relaxed evening with a drink by the fire.

📍 Address: Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn, Brockenhurst, Hampshire
🔗 View on Booking.com

💰 Budget-Friendly Hotel – Woodlands Lodge Hotel, Bartley

A privately owned 3-star country house hotel, set on the edge of the New Forest.

  • Direct walking access to the forest from the gardens.
  • Traditional rooms with countryside charm.
  • Ideal if you want comfort on a smaller budget.

📍 Address: Woodlands Lodge Hotel, Bartley Road, Bartley, SO40 7GN
🔗 View on Booking.com

⛺ Camping / Caravan Option – Lytton Lawn Touring Park

If you prefer a peaceful, nature-filled base, this is for you.

  • Set in eight acres of leafy parkland near Milford-on-Sea.
  • Access to the leisure facilities of a nearby sister park.
  • No bar or pool — just calm, fresh air, and birdsong.
  • Dog-friendly and perfect for meeting the Adventure Geek crew!

📍 Address: Lytton Lawn Touring Park, Milford on Sea, Hampshire
🔗 View on Pitchup

What’s Included & Price

💰 Price

  • £75.45 per person for non-members
  • £65.45 per person for Adventure Geek members

A non-refundable £15 deposit secures your spot. The balance is due
8 weeks before the trip — Friday, 24 July 2026.

✅ What’s Included

  • 2 days of guided walks led by Julia Doherty (fully qualified & insured walk leader)
  • Professionally designed route plans and GPX files
  • Pre-walk safety briefings and daily route overviews
  • Private WhatsApp group for updates, car sharing, and photos
  • Adventure Geek halfway sweets 🍬
  • Optional social evening meal in Brockenhurst
  • Full admin support and digital information pack before travel

❌ What’s Not Included

  • Accommodation (see Accommodation Options tab)
  • Meals and drinks (except the sweets!)
  • Travel to and from the event
  • Parking fees at Brockenhurst and Lepe Country Park

⚙️ Payment Details

Secure your space with a £15 deposit. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with full trip details,
a packing checklist, and a link to join the WhatsApp group. Need to spread the cost?
Get in touch — we’re happy to arrange a short payment plan.

Did You Know?

🌲 The New Forest isn’t actually new!

Despite its name, the “New” Forest was created in 1079 by William the Conqueror as a royal hunting ground —
making it nearly 950 years old. Much of the land still follows ancient forest laws today.

🐴 The ponies have right of way

The famous New Forest ponies are semi-wild and roam freely through forest, villages, and roads.
Around 3,000 ponies live here and are owned by local “commoners” with traditional grazing rights.
Please admire — don’t feed!

🌳 Brockenhurst — a village of giants

The Tall Trees Trail features redwoods planted in the 1850s from Californian seed.
Some now top 50 metres — taller than a 15-storey building!

🦆 Rhinefield Ornamental Drive

This spectacular Victorian avenue of giant trees and exotic species is part of the historic Rhinefield Estate —
one of the New Forest’s most photographed spots. 📸

🏖️ Lepe Beach’s secret wartime history

Lepe was key to the D-Day operations in 1944. Concrete slipways were built to launch landing craft for the Normandy invasion.
Remains of these structures are still visible along the shore today.

🐦 Birdwatcher’s paradise

Lepe Country Park hosts migrating and coastal birds — look out for oystercatchers, curlews, and Brent geese.
Binoculars recommended!

🗺️ Geeky Extra #1 – What3Words Wonder

Our Lepe Beach meeting point: ///proven.recorders.offline.
You can open it in the What3Words app or map to navigate precisely to the spot.

🎬 Geeky Extra #2 – Lights, Camera, Forest!

The New Forest has starred in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,
and parts of the Harry Potter series — no wonder it feels cinematic!

🌅 Sunset magic

When conditions line up, Lepe Beach delivers some of the south coast’s finest sunsets —
a perfect finale to a day of forest and sea air.

What to Bring

Packing light but smart will make your weekend run smoothly. Here’s what we recommend:

🥾 Walking Essentials

  • Comfortable, broken-in walking boots or shoes — there may be some mud if it’s been raining.
  • Waterproof jacket and over-trousers — it’s the New Forest, not the Sahara!
  • Daypack (20–30 L) — large enough for snacks, layers, and water.
  • Refillable water bottle or hydration bladder (at least 1 litre).
  • Sit mat or lightweight camping chair for the picnic stop.
  • Walking poles (optional but handy for forest terrain).

🧥 Clothing

  • Quick-drying base layers (avoid cotton).
  • Mid-layer fleece or light jumper.
  • Hat and gloves (especially if it’s breezy by the coast).
  • Spare socks — always a winner after a long walk!
  • Evening wear for the optional Saturday meal (smart-casual is fine).

🍽️ Food & Drink

  • Packed lunch for Saturday’s walk (we’ll picnic at the Arboretum).
  • Snacks for the trail — flapjacks, trail mix, fruit, or anything you love.
  • Reusable mug or flask for hot drinks.
  • Cash or card for cafés and car parks.

🐶 For Those Bringing Dogs

  • Lead (short lead for livestock areas).
  • Collapsible water bowl and dog water bottle.
  • Dog towel (for those sandy Lepe paws!).
  • Poo bags (always!).

⚙️ Tech & Safety

  • Fully charged mobile phone with What3Words app installed.
  • Portable power bank (you’ll be taking lots of photos 📸).
  • Small first-aid kit and any personal medication.
  • Torch or headlamp (handy for campsite or evening walks).

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