Write a review of your visit to Lepe Country Park

Reviews

42 reviews so far

11/06/2013 03:10pm

ellie rose

Please, please please can my children explore the beach just for some of the year, without the stress of having dogs around?!!!My young Family visited Lepe for the first time very recently (during the very fine weather!) and it was a fabulous destination with much to see and do. One of the enjoyments was the beach, where the children could investigate the seashore, paddle in the water and picnic whilst watching the boats sail by. For an hour we were convinced we were on a 'dog free' part of the beach and it was great. Then 'bang' out of nowhere several dog owners saw it acceptable not to adhere to the rules and let their dogs roam freely around everyone else. Whilst I love dogs, I would like people to respect that there should be some areas where dogs should not be allowed as they can be a pest and a health hazard. The wardens were notified.

Don't think we can come back unless there are staff who are actually willing to enforce these rules of the park.

I think it would be a shame to let it go to the dogs!

Lepe County Park replies

Part of our beach is designated a dog free 'family beach' from April to September and is signed accordingly. I am not sure what happened on the day that you visited as any of the ranger team will certainly approach visitors who are ignoring the signs when they see them or when they have reports from other visitors. We are a very small team so we do need you to report incidents that we may not have seen as they occur so we can take action. It is our intention to ensure that families that choose a dog free part of the beach are able to enjoy this.

 

05/06/2013 04:27pm

L. Bratcher

It was a lovely evening this evening so checked on the web site for the closing time of the park...This says dusk so we drove from Hythe arriving at Lepe at 19.40. Although the sun was still quite high the entrance gates were already locked. This was really disappointing as sunset was not until 21.12

Lepe Country Park replies

I am sorry you had a disappointing experience and I agree that the wording on the website is misleading. This will be changed since the latest we are open for vehicle access in the evening is 8.30p.m. and the website should state this.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

 

05/06/2013 12:11pm

kevin morgan

Very upsetting and the woman staff are rude. Both ticket machine in the upper carpark said "out of order" on both machine. There were a couple of people trying to pay as i walk away with in 10 minutes i got a ticket so i phoned the unhelpful woman and she haung up on me too. I manged to get to the lower carpark and info centre and was told that i could have walked down the steep stoney hill to get a ticket from another car and it my fault for her machine not working There is no way down from the upper car park to the lower carpark if you have problams walking. Upon speaking to the male warden he said it normal for them to put the ticket machine out of order to get extra money. It was my frist time to lepe country park and my last. they never gave out ticket to cars park in the Coach bays just a rip off never going to vist a another Hampshire council run place again

Lepe County Park Replies

I am sorry that you were not happy with your visit to Lepe at the weekend. Having spoken to the staff concerned it appears that the parking machines on the cliff top were out of action for a short while but as soon as the ranger on duty noticed she managed to get them working again. For your information parking machines are never deliberately put out of action and both the machines in the lower car park were fully operational all day. If a penalty charge notice has been issued when our machines are out of order you are not required to pay the penalty charge but are required to buy a parking ticket for the duration of your stay, once this is done the penalty charge can be cancelled which is what happened in your case. The park staff have to ensure that parking fees are collected since this is the main source of income to maintain the park, this includes ensuring that fees are paid by cars parked in the coach bay.

 

29/05/2013 03:46pm

Jasmine Mclean

Amazing crabbing.There ice cream is the best i have ever had and the park is a great place for children to burn of their energy. A safe place,where a variety of age groups can enjoy themselves.

 

07/05/2013 12:14pm

Bob Tilman

What a lovely day we had down at Lepe Beach yesterday!

The car park and cafe was so busy, but we managed to find a space.

After our morning walk around the park we went for lunch in the cafe, which was very VERY busy - but would like to add how hard all the staff work in there - a very friendly and efficient service.

All in all, a great day out.

Thank you.

 

07/05/2013 12:10pm

sam childe

What a lovely place to vist, Such a popular place. The cafe was bursting good service amazing breakfast.

 

22/04/2013 01:03pm

L.strevens

After visiting lepe country park this evening I received a parking ticket.the meter is deliberately misleading as it only states charges apply during the day.it should state specific times or 24 hours.i will not be returning and will inform the daily echo as about 10 people were ticketed at the same time.as this was the first nice evening for a LONG time this winter I am disgusted at the attendants attitude.

Lepe Country Park replies

The sign on each pay and display machine clearly states in red 'Charges apply at all times. Excess charge for failure to display ticket £50' (This charge is reduced to £25 if payment is received within 14 days)

Without parking revenue the park would simply not exist, it forms a major part of the total income so we have to ensure that it is collected efficiently. I would suggest that for frequent visitors to the park the most cost effective means of paying for parking is an annual pass which is only £39.

 

19/02/2013 02:14pm

Linda beale

Visted Lepe with my family today, what a lovely place. Had lunch in the cafe was really busy but the food was really good, expected a wait on food, but it was a very quick service. Staff really make you feel welcome. Great day out.

Bringing grandkids back for bird box building.  

 

05/02/2013 03:22pm

Mr John Lamb

I recently had a very urgent need to speak with someone on the staff at your cafe regarding a lost item but unfortunately other than your 02380899108 number I could not get a number anywhere on your website for the cafe. The above number simply went to answer machine. Seems silly that I can see the menu but cannot get the phone number. Can I suggest you put it on your website page for the cafe.

Lepe replies

There is no separate telephone number for the cafe, calls to the park number can be passed through to the cafe if the office is manned or a message left on the answerphone which will be dealt with as swiftly as possible. Email messages can be left on lepe.enquiries@hants.gov.uk.

 

24/10/2012 09:59am

Karen Leece

What a lovely little trip we had today. We stumbled across this beach by mistake as we got lost trying to find Exbury Gardens, so we gave up and instead we stayed here for the day. The rain held off, so we had a lovely walk around the park.

The cafe is lovely and clean with a very fresh bright look. The staff were very helpful and friendly and the food was lovely! 10 out of 10! It all came out about 10-15 minutes after ordering.

We then had cakes and ice creams after and what a lovely range of cakes they had. They have a great menu with a lot to choose from and the Specials Board also. I had the Lasagne for £4.50, which was really nice, with chips and a side salad.

We will definitely be coming back very soon and might bring the dogs for a walk.

Excellent day out!

 

Review Ref. 347250

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