Queen Elizabeth Country Park is Hampshire's largest country park. Located at the western end of the South Downs National Park, the park spans over 2000 acres and is dominated by three hills, the chalk downland of Butser and the beautiful woodlands of Holt and War Down.
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QEII Country Park Hampshire

4.5
·701 reviews·, United Kingdom

A scenic country park with a beautiful lake, perfect for walks, wildlife encounters, and water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best for wildlife viewing

CrowdMedium
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Queen Elizabeth Country Park is Hampshire's largest country park. Located at the western end of the South Downs National Park, the park spans over 2000 acres and is dominated by three hills, the chalk downland of Butser and the beautiful woodlands of Holt and War Down.

QEII Country Park Hampshire

Best Time

Daytime

Best for wildlife viewing

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A scenic country park with a beautiful lake, perfect for walks, wildlife encounters, and water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.

4.5
(701 reviews)

"Great spot for a walk with the dogs or a spot of paddleboarding/kayaking."

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TIP

🎟️ Get Your Water Permit Online

Purchase paddleboard/kayak permits from the council website before your visit. Ignore signs directing you elsewhere. :admission_tickets:

🐦 Bird Food Available On-Site

Buy affordable bird food at the pub for close encounters with swans, ducks, and geese. 🐦

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 701 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lake Paddleboarding & Kayaking

Lake Paddleboarding & Kayaking

QEII Country Park Lake

Glide across the serene lake, enjoying the water and wildlife. Permits are required for water sports.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife Watching

QEII Country Park Lake

Get up close with friendly swans, ducks, and geese. Bird food is available for a memorable feeding experience.

Scenic Lakeside Walks

Scenic Lakeside Walks

QEII Country Park Trails

Enjoy a pleasant circular walk around the beautiful lake and through country park trails.

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Planning Your Visit

Paddleboard & Kayak Permits

To enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking on the lake, you'll need a permit. Purchase this online from the council website; the leisure centre at Newbiggin is not the correct place to get one. Day passes are available, along with weekly and annual options.

Wildlife Encounters & Feeding

The park is home to friendly swans, ducks, and geese accustomed to visitors. Bird food is available for purchase at the on-site pub, allowing for close encounters and hand-feeding opportunities. Please be mindful of the wildlife.

Best Times

When
Daytime
Why
Best for wildlife viewing
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer crowds for peaceful walks
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🎟️ Get Your Water Permit Online

Purchase paddleboard/kayak permits from the council website before your visit. Ignore signs directing you elsewhere. :admission_tickets:

🐦 Bird Food Available On-Site

Buy affordable bird food at the pub for close encounters with swans, ducks, and geese. 🐦

👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes

Paths can be a little muddy in places, so wear appropriate footwear for your walk. :athletic_shoe:

🅿️ Ample Parking

There are plenty of car parking facilities available for visitors. 🅿️

Tips

from all over the internet

🎟️ Get Your Water Permit Online

Purchase paddleboard/kayak permits from the council website before your visit. Ignore signs directing you elsewhere. :admission_tickets:

🐦 Bird Food Available On-Site

Buy affordable bird food at the pub for close encounters with swans, ducks, and geese. 🐦

👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes

Paths can be a little muddy in places, so wear appropriate footwear for your walk. :athletic_shoe:

🅿️ Ample Parking

There are plenty of car parking facilities available for visitors. 🅿️

🍽️ On-site Dining Options

A pub with a restaurant and bar is available, serving breakfast and meals throughout the day. :knifeforkplate:

What Travellers Say

4.5
(701 reviews)

Reviews Summary

QEII Country Park is praised as a lovely spot for walks, especially with dogs, and offers enjoyable water sports opportunities with the right permit. Visitors appreciate the friendly wildlife and convenient on-site amenities like parking and a pub. Some feel the park could benefit from additional attractions to utilize its open spaces.

"Great spot for a walk with the dogs or a spot of paddleboarding/kayaking. You can buy a permit from the council website (ignore the sign that says get one from the leisure centre at Newbiggin, they know nothing about it!) It's £8.60 for a day pass, or you can get week or annual pass. You can launch right next to the car park and then go for a lovely paddle right round the lake."

Sue Dunn

"The Swans, Ducks and Geese are very people friendly. They are used to being fed regularly, so will come up close. It was lovely to be that close up to a Swan and have it feed from my hand. Bird food is sold at the pub that is on site for a very affordable price 👌"

jojo Harrison

"Lots of car parking and great for walks around the beautiful lake and walks through the country park trails. The Ashington Premier Inn is on site with a restaurant and bar next door serving breakfasts from 6.30am and serving meals and bar drinks throughout the day until 11pm. There is also a large outdoor seating area."

Solar Shack UK

What People Like

Great for dog walks
Friendly wildlife
Paddleboarding/Kayaking

What People Dislike

Could use more attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

QEII Country Park is accessible by car, with ample parking available on-site. Public transport options may vary, so it's advisable to check local bus routes for the most up-to-date information.

Yes, there are excellent parking facilities at QEII Country Park, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car. Reddit

Yes, QEII Country Park is a great spot for dog walks. Dogs are generally welcome, but it's always good practice to keep them under control, especially around wildlife.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, a permit is required for paddleboarding and kayaking on the lake. You can purchase these from the council website. Day, week, and annual passes are available. Reddit

Paddleboard and kayak permits must be purchased from the council website. Ignore any signs suggesting you can get them from the leisure centre at Newbiggin. Reddit

A day pass for paddleboarding or kayaking at QEII Country Park costs approximately £8.60. Reddit

There is no mention of an entry fee for the park itself, but permits are required for water sports activities on the lake. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can enjoy walking around the lake and through the country park trails, paddleboarding, and kayaking on the lake (with a permit). It's also a fantastic spot for wildlife watching. Reddit

Yes, there are nice circular walks around the beautiful lake and through the country park trails, suitable for all ages. Reddit

Yes, the swans, ducks, and geese are very people-friendly and used to being fed. Bird food is sold at the on-site pub for a very affordable price. Reddit

Absolutely! It's great for stretching little legs with a walk around the lake. While it can be a bit muddy in places, a pushchair can generally be managed. Reddit

The park is home to numerous swans, ducks, and geese that are very accustomed to people. You can get quite close, and they are friendly. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a pub on-site with a restaurant and bar. They serve breakfasts from 6:30 am and meals and bar drinks until 11 pm, with a large outdoor seating area. Reddit

Bird food is sold at the pub located on-site at a very affordable price, perfect for feeding the friendly waterfowl. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The park offers beautiful scenery with its lake and surrounding country trails, ideal for landscape photography. Close-up shots of the friendly swans, ducks, and geese are also popular. Reddit

Yes, the swans, ducks, and geese are very used to people and will often come close, especially if you have bird food, making for great photographic opportunities. Reddit

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QEII Country Park Hampshire (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide