Walking Holidays in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire
The south of England offers some fantastic walks, coastline and countryside, through towns and villages, National parks and natural woodlands. Hampshire in the west has the gorgeous New Forest to explore, beautiful villages and the ponies to see with so many walks and trails, you could spend a week walking here and the villages always offer a warm welcome and a cup of tea. Essex in the east now has 150 miles of coastline connected in a coastal path, designed to bring people to the seaside and enjoy walking and keeping fit.
There are lots of holiday parks in the area, the majority are based by the seaside, especially the larger parks and we have listed these alongside smaller, inland parks that are perfect if you are looking for holiday parks for walking holidays in Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Essex. Find the best last minute deals for cheap caravan holidays in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire here.
Walking Holidays in Hampshire
With its rolling hills, dense forests, and tranquil rivers, Hampshire offers a variety of walking routes and trails for everyone, from leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes.
Walking trails in Hampshire range from easy-going routes along the coast and around inland villages, to more difficult hikes in the rugged South Downs. From the chalk-white cliffs of the Isle of Wight's Needles to the stunning views atop the South Downs Way. The New Forest is probably the top destination for walkers in Hampshire with wide open spaces, ancient woodlands and 140 miles of tracks to explore. Lyndhurst in the centre is absolutely gorgeous and there are various holiday parks dotted around the edge of the New Forest, Ringwood is also a great base for a walking holiday and Beaulieu is home to the National Motor Museum and is a great day out.
The South Downs National Park also covers part of Hampshire with a host of unspoilt villages. West Meon is a great place to stop with the South Downs Way passing through. The South Downs Way runs from Winchester in Hampshire all the way to East Sussex and is great if you love walking but prefer slower climbs than some of the walks in the South West of England and Wales for example. The majority of the South Downs Way is bridleway with access for walkers and cyclists who frequent the routes more than horses now. There are short gaps on roads and footpaths but the majority of the Way is ideal for walkers with a medium level of walking ability.
Explore Hampshire, see some fantastic villages, the ponies of the National Forest and beautiful scenery, Here are out selection of holiday parks in Hampshire for walkers, being in great locations near walking routes or the major walking areas.
South Downs National Park
Forest Holidays Blackwood ForestBrocklands Farm Glamping Holidays
New Forest National Park
Sandy Balls Holiday VillageHoburne Bashley, New Forest
Shorefield Country ParkHill Cottage Farm
Walking Holidays in Sussex
Sussex also has plenty of walks to enjoy and is ideal for family walks or for those who prefer more gentle slopes.
From the rolling hills of the South Downs to the beautiful coastline, there are plenty of routes to explore. Perhaps the most spectacular of these walks is the area around the Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters cliffs to Beachy Head Lighthouse. This is a hilly walk along the clifftop with the white cliffs below, beautiful scenery and perfect all year around, sometimes this makes a wonderful winter walk with the wind blowing hard! This area is part of the Seven Sisters Country Park which offers some great walks over the chalk grassland and the cliff tops.
The South Downs Way is a popular long-distance route that can take you through this area and other parts of Sussex. From Buriton, trekking through large areas of the South Downs without virtually a soul in site, down to Amberley and then heading towards the coast, these are walks that you would never believe existed in Sussex, so tranquil. Some of the more remote parts of this walk are reasonably demanding and are quite long, perfect if you love a challenge.
The majority of the holiday parks sit outside of the South Downs National Park but there are a few like Bow Hill Farm that are inside the park, albeit an adults only park! You might have to book somewhere a little further away if you want a big park with lots of facilities.
Washington Caravan and Camping Park Bow Hill Farm
Walking Holidays in Kent
Kent is a wonderful county for walks, exploring the garden of England with the Kent Downs to explore. The coastline from Dungeness to the Isle of Sheppy is fantastic for seaside walks with traditional Victorian resorts like Margate that offer a warm welcome, lots of attractions and places to visit and a great base for a holiday park for your walking holiday in Kent.
In the south-east of the county, you can explore the famous White Cliffs of Dover and walk along the coastline, taking in the views over the English Channel. In the south-west of the county, you can walk through the picturesque Kent countryside, discovering rolling hills, fields, and farms. In the centre of Kent, you can explore the famous Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its rolling hills, ancient woodland, and historic sites. In the north-east, you can explore Whitstable, Herne Bay and Birchington-on-Sea, the various marshes, with the flat terrain and wildlife-rich wetlands. There are great walks along established routes like the Stour Valley, the Eden Valley and great places to visit like Hever Castle. This is a great link to the Kent Ramblers with a list of walks for you to enjoy in Kent, visit http://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/.
Kent has lots of holiday parks but the majority are in traditional locations near the seaside which means that you may need to drive if you want to explore the rural walking routes, especially around the Kent Downs. Here is a list of the holiday parks in Kent for walking holidays and they are varied from large parks with all of the facilities that are ideal for families, to smaller parks that are more intimate and peaceful.
Walking Holidays in Essex
The Essex Coast Path is a stunning way to explore the county's coastline, with incredible views of the Thames Estuary and the North Sea. The route begins in Harwich, with a walk along the River Stour estuary, before heading south along the coastline through Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea, and Shoeburyness. The Essex Coast Path covers 50% of the Essex coastline with 150 miles of walks now available with a significant investment in the route around Essex, now connecting sites such as the Wallasea Island RSPB nature reserve, the forts at Tilbruy and Two Tree Island Nature Reserve now connected to the walks.
If you're looking for a challenge, then the Essex Way is a great option. This long distance path is 81 miles long from Epping to Harwich passing through some great places that have a magnificent history. This is a countryside walk taking in a lot of rural paths, walking alongside farming fields and is a great escape and a good test for ramblers.
Walkers in Essex are also spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the county's many parks and nature reserves. Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest are both great options for a peaceful, gentle stroll, while Langdon Hills Country Park is the perfect spot for a family day out.
Like Kent, the majority of the larger holiday parks in Essex are on the coastline with a few dotted around inland, we have a selection of holiday parks for walking holidays in Essex that cover both rural, inland and seaside routes in Essex.
Osea Leisure Park The Orchards Holiday Park
Colchester Country Park Dovercourt Holiday Park
Weeley Bridge Holiday ParkSteeple Bay Holiday Park
