Hayling Island is type of an enigma to anybody who hasn’t visited. It’s on the south coast of England, in between Portsmouth and Chichester, and is a well-liked spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers. However there’s far more to it than that…
I solely reside a 15-minute drive from Hayling Island, or a 5-minute ferry experience.
Let me take you thru one of the best issues to do on Hayling Island, the place to eat, what to do if it rains, and one of the best seashores to go to too.
1. Funland Journey Park
The clue is within the identify – Funland is without doubt one of the most kid-friendly locations to go to on Hayling island. Positioned alongside the seafront, this journey and amusement park options an array of rides, in addition to an arcade, journey golf and some catering and buying choices.
When you’re visiting Hayling on a scorching summers day, you then’ll wish to cool off on the Beaver Creek log flume, while Wild Billy’s Runaway Mine Prepare is bound to get the adrenaline pumping. It’s helpful to know that Funland is without doubt one of the stops on the Seaside Railway (learn on to search out out extra), so why not take the youngsters for a experience on the practice earlier than arriving at Funland?
2. Hayling Island seashores
There are three important seashores on Hayling Island: West, Beachlands Central and Eastoke.
West seaside is a shingle seaside, separated from the highway by sand dunes, which shelter the seaside from the wind – this makes it one of the best seaside for swimming. On a sunny day you’ll be able to see out to the Isle of Wight.
Beachlands Central options a mixture of sand and shingle, and gives probably the most amenities, excellent for households.
Lastly, Eastoke is probably the most picturesque, with a grassy picnic space and residential to the close by Sandy Level Nature Reserve. You may get fantastic views out to Chichester Harbour from right here.
The entire seashores are Blue Flag licensed, which means they meet strict environmental requirements. Every seaside additionally gives one thing totally different, and you need to positively go to all three throughout your journey to Hayling Island. If unsure about what to do on Hayling Island, then, head to the seashores.
3. Sandy Level Nature Reserve
This unbelievable spot on Hayling Island deserves its personal level because it’s among the finest issues to do on Hayling Island. You may park up close to the seaside and stroll all the best way around the Sandy Level Nature Reserve, which can take within the Hayling Island Crusing Membership and the Lifeboat Centre too.
You may’t truly go into the Reserve, as that may defeat the aim, however there are some uncommon flowers rising there and it’s an excellent spot for chook lovers.
When you maintain strolling spherical you’ll come to a stunning, sandy seaside.
4. Sinah Warren
When you’re on the lookout for someplace to remain on Hayling Island, then look no additional than the Sinah Warren. The trendy adults solely lodge overlooks the harbour, with pleasant gardens and patios capitalising on the recent sea air. There’s a heated outside pool, tennis courts and big chess to maintain visitors entertained, whereas the onsite restaurant, The Driftwood, serves up a spread of scrumptious meals.
The lodge is ideally positioned for a picturesque stroll alongside the coast and is positioned only a quick stroll from the ferry level to achieve Portsmouth.
5. Langstone Quays Resort
Positioned on the northern tip of the island and simply linked to the mainland, The Langstone Quays Resort gives a picturesque harbour-side location, with greater than 140 comfy rooms providing nice views and a spread of facilities. The waterside setting continues within the lodge’s restaurant, the place visitors can get pleasure from a meal with peaceable views of the estuary.
When you’re on the lookout for indoor issues to do on Hayling Island for adults, then the Langstone Resort is a good selection.
The lodge additionally gives personal eating and bottomless brunches for these , whereas the close by Langstone Quays Well being Membership is offered to be used by lodge visitors.
6. Beachlands Par 3 Pitch and Putt
Open to most of the people, Pitch and Putt is one of the best place for a spot of golf on your entire island. 9 difficult however achievable holes are located in an excellent location overlooking the Solent and it doesn’t matter in case you’re a seasoned professional otherwise you’ve by no means held a golf membership earlier than in your life – the course welcomes all expertise ranges.
When you’re on the lookout for extra energetic Hayling Island actions, then the pitch and putt is a good shout.
You may get classes from ex-pro Ray Gadd in case you’d like, or in case you’d want simply to look at your loved ones and buddies, then there’s a comfy Membership Home overlooking the course, the place you’ll be able to wait out the sport with a espresso… or a glass of wine.
7. Hayling Island oyster beds
Nature lovers will wish to head to Hayling Island’s oyster beds. Oysters have been farmed right here since 1819, and the beds have been absolutely restored to their former glory within the Nineteen Nineties. This abundance of meals has created a seabird haven, with species reminiscent of dunlin, widespread terns, Mediterranean gulls, oystercatcher, redshank, gray plover, curlew and godwit showing by the thousand. Totally different species seem by season, so be certain to perform a little research in case you are coming to Hayling particularly for birdwatching.
Even in case you aren’t particularly concerned about nature, seeing such massive teams of birds gathering collectively makes an exquisite sight that may solely be present in just a few locations throughout the nation.
8. Stoke Fruit Farm Store & sunflowers
The family-run Stoke Fruit Farm Store is centrally positioned on Hayling island and sells a spread of regionally produced recent produce, from potatoes to eggs and pumpkins. There’s additionally a deli promoting recent cheese, burgers and extra.
The store is a superb place to go to for some recent substances, and youngsters will like to see the farm’s free vary hens and flock of twenty sheep, with lambs being born yearly since 2017. Not forgetting after all the helpful and lovely farm canines Spud, Piper and Romi, who’re certain to make guests really feel welcome.
Throughout summer season, the farm store additionally grows an enormous subject of sunflowers. The proper place for a spot of pictures – guests in July may even choose their very own sunflowers to take residence. And in October, the pumpkins are out in pressure! Take the youngsters alongside to choose their very own!
Visiting the Stoke Farm Fruit Store is certainly considered one of my favorite issues to do on Hayling Island – picked up some nice recent crab final time I used to be there!
9. Hayling Island eating places
With so many companies catering in direction of tourism, it’s little surprise that there some nice eating places on the island for guests to get pleasure from. The Madhatter’s Tea Room is a unusual vegan and gluten-free facility, while Ralph’s Wine, Gin and Tapas Bar is ideal for these after a classy meal and some drinks.
The Driftwood is the onsite restaurant on the Sinah Warren Resort, however you don’t must be a lodge visitor to eat there.
And in case you’re after a pub lunch then look no additional than the Maypole Inn, serving quite a lot of gourmand meals made with native substances, in addition to quite a lot of cask ales. Additionally they have an excellent beer backyard for a summer season’s day.
Inn on the Seashore, which is a pub on the seaside on Hayling Island, does an unbelievable fish and chips which I’ve had quite a lot of instances.
And the Salt Shack Cafe on the high of the island, in Northney Marina does an excellent breakfast with a view.
When you’re on the lookout for an excellent time out on Hayling Island for adults, considered one of these nice eating places ought to positively function.
10. Northney Farm
Northney Farm is a dairy farm, residence to roughly 120 Ayrshire cows. The farm grows maize to feed the cattle, in addition to wheat, potatoes and peas, a lot of which is offered on the neighbouring Stoke Fruit Farm Store.
The farm additionally works in direction of wildlife conservation, with quite a lot of initiatives geared toward boosting wildlife. This consists of the planting of hedgerows and wildflowers, in addition to a discount in mowing and strimming, creating habitat for bugs and uncommon farmland birds such because the skylark.
A go to to the farm might help one get again in contact with nature, and the tea rooms are an excellent place to get pleasure from a soothing brew and a slice of cake. Whilst you’re understanding what to do on Hayling Island, you’ll be able to benefit from the scrumptious merchandise from this nice farm store.
11. Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary
All people loves donkeys, proper?
The Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary takes in ex-working donkeys to allow them to see out their years in consolation, with a loving, lifelong residence offered to animals in want. The sanctuary is open to the general public, permitting guests to see and work together with the donkeys – you’ll be able to feed and pat the pleasant animals, that are extraordinarily trusting and shall be glad of your organization.
The proper household time out, the sanctuary additionally has a strict hygiene coverage in place, to maintain folks and donkeys protected. You will have to e-book prematurely.
12. Boat journeys
Frequent seals are recognized to reside within the Hayling Island Harbour and throughout the Solent, and there are a selection of unbiased corporations which run boat journeys out to sea with a view to spot these superb animals.
Rosie Ok Boat Journeys is probably the most well-known, giving guests an hour lengthy experience alongside the gorgeous shoreline. The Rosie Ok has a sheltered indoor cabin and loads of deck house, so you’ll be able to shelter inside or stand outdoors with the breeze in your hair, the selection is yours.
13. Hayling Island Crusing Membership
Hayling Island Crusing Membership is without doubt one of the focal factors for the group of Hayling island. Races happen each weekend through the crusing season, with locals and guests alike gathering to look at a spread of crusing occasions, together with dinghy and keelboat races, in addition to cruisers.
Due to the very fact it’s an island, crusing is without doubt one of the hottest Hayling Island actions for locals.
14. Kitesurfing
The uncovered shoreline of Hayling island, notably to the south, makes it an excellent location for watersports, with a gradual breeze offering the right circumstances. Kitesurfing particularly, is extremely well-liked on the island, with the annual Kitesurfing Armada Pageant.
Windsurfing is one other well-liked watersport, andwas truly invented on Hayling island by younger Peter Chilvers in 1958. Almost all of Hayling’s seashores cater to watersports and lots of supply classes to those that haven’t tried out kitesurfing or windsurfing earlier than.
15. Hayling Seaside Railway
After years of campaigning, the Hayling Seaside Railway was lastly opened in 2003, the unique Hayling Billy Line having been closed down a long time earlier than. Operating alongside the south coast of the island, the Seaside Railway gives passengers magnificent coastal views of the Solent and journeys from Beachlands to Eastoke Nook – an effective way to navigate the island, particularly for households with kids.
16. Hayling Island Billy Path
The Hayling Island Billy Path is a 5-mile route that was once a railway line alongside the coast on the west of the island. Now it’s a flat pathway well-liked with households and cyclists due to it being completely pedestrianised. It’s positively a Hayling Island hotspot!
When you’re on the lookout for extra walks round Hayling Island then I like to recommend the Thorney Island stroll to the east, or the Farlington Marshes stroll to the west.
And you’ll see find out how to stroll all the best way round Hayling Island right here. The Hayling Island Billy Path is a good place to stroll your canine – they’ve entry all areas!
Issues to do on Hayling Island
Whether or not you wish to take to the adrenaline-filled rides of Funland, spot uncommon chook species at Northney Farm and the Oyster beds, or just lease a seaside hut and chill out whereas the youngsters take to the waves for a spot of kitesurfing – there’s loads of issues to do on Hayling Island to maintain everyone busy.