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 way more to it than that…
I solely dwell a 15-minute drive from Hayling Island, or a 5-minute ferry trip.
Let me take you thru the very best issues to do on Hayling Island, the place to eat, what to do if it rains, and the very best seashores to go to too.
1. Funland Journey Park
The clue is within the identify – Funland is likely one of the most kid-friendly locations to go to on Hayling island. Situated alongside the seafront, this journey and amusement park options an array of rides, in addition to an arcade, journey golf and some catering and purchasing choices.
If you happen to’re visiting Hayling on a scorching summers day, then you definately’ll need to cool off on the Beaver Creek log flume, while Wild Billy’s Runaway Mine Practice is certain to get the adrenaline pumping. It’s helpful to know that Funland is likely one of the stops on the Seaside Railway (learn on to seek out out extra), so why not take the youngsters for a trip 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 the very best seaside for swimming. On a sunny day you possibly can see out to the Isle of Wight.
Beachlands Central options a mixture of sand and shingle, and presents probably the most services, 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 will get fantastic views out to Chichester Harbour from right here.
All the seashores are Blue Flag licensed, which means they meet strict environmental requirements. Every seaside additionally presents one thing completely 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 improbable spot on Hayling Island deserves its personal level because it’s probably the greatest issues to do on Hayling Island. You may park up close to the seaside and stroll all the way in which around the Sandy Level Nature Reserve, which can take within the Hayling Island Crusing Membership and the Lifeboat Centre too.
You may’t really go into the Reserve, as that will defeat the aim, however there are some uncommon flowers rising there and it’s an awesome spot for chicken lovers.
If you happen to maintain strolling spherical you’ll come to a beautiful, sandy seaside.
4. Sinah Warren
If you happen to’re on the lookout for someplace to remain on Hayling Island, then look no additional than the Sinah Warren. The fashionable adults solely resort overlooks the harbour, with pleasant gardens and patios capitalising on the contemporary sea air. There’s a heated out of doors pool, tennis courts and large chess to maintain friends entertained, whereas the onsite restaurant, The Driftwood, serves up a spread of scrumptious meals.
The resort is ideally situated for a picturesque stroll alongside the coast and is situated only a quick stroll from the ferry level to achieve Portsmouth.
5. Langstone Quays Resort
Situated on the northern tip of the island and simply linked to the mainland, The Langstone Quays Resort presents 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 resort’s restaurant, the place friends can get pleasure from a meal with peaceable views of the estuary.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for indoor issues to do on Hayling Island for adults, then the Langstone Lodge is a good selection.
The resort additionally presents non-public eating and bottomless brunches for these , whereas the close by Langstone Quays Well being Membership is offered to be used by resort friends.
6. Beachlands Par 3 Pitch and Putt
Open to most people, Pitch and Putt is the very best place for a spot of golf on your entire island. 9 difficult however achievable holes are located in an awesome location overlooking the Solent and it doesn’t matter if you happen to’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.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra lively Hayling Island actions, then the pitch and putt is a good shout.
You will get classes from ex-pro Ray Gadd if you happen to’d like, or if you happen to’d want simply to observe your loved ones and mates, then there’s a comfy Membership Home overlooking the course, the place you possibly can wait out the sport with a espresso… or a glass of wine.
7. Hayling Island oyster beds
Nature lovers will need to head to Hayling Island’s oyster beds. Oysters have been farmed right here since 1819, and the beds had been totally restored to their former glory within the Nineteen Nineties. This abundance of meals has created a seabird haven, with species equivalent to dunlin, widespread terns, Mediterranean gulls, oystercatcher, redshank, gray plover, curlew and godwit showing by the thousand. Completely different species seem by season, so make sure that to perform a little research if you’re coming to Hayling particularly for birdwatching.
Even if you happen to aren’t particularly enthusiastic about nature, seeing such giant teams of birds gathering collectively makes an exquisite sight that may solely be present in a couple of locations throughout the nation.
8. Stoke Fruit Farm Store & sunflowers
The family-run Stoke Fruit Farm Store is centrally situated on Hayling island and sells a spread of regionally produced contemporary produce, from potatoes to eggs and pumpkins. There’s additionally a deli promoting contemporary cheese, burgers and extra.
The store is a wonderful place to go to for some contemporary 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 useful and cute 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 discipline of sunflowers. The proper place for a spot of pictures – guests in July may even decide their very own sunflowers to take dwelling. And in October, the pumpkins are out in power! Take the youngsters alongside to choose their very own!
Visiting the Stoke Farm Fruit Store is unquestionably one among my favorite issues to do on Hayling Island – picked up some nice contemporary crab final time I used to be there!
9. Hayling Island eating places
With so many companies catering in the 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 complicated meal and some drinks.
The Driftwood is the onsite restaurant on the Sinah Warren Lodge, however you don’t should be a resort visitor to eat there.
And if you happen to’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 awesome beer backyard for a summer season’s day.
Inn on the Seashore, which is a pub on the seaside on Hayling Island, does an unimaginable fish and chips which I’ve had various occasions.
And the Salt Shack Cafe on the prime of the island, in Northney Marina does an awesome breakfast with a view.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for an awesome day trip on Hayling Island for adults, one among these nice eating places ought to positively characteristic.
10. Northney Farm
Northney Farm is a dairy farm, dwelling 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 bought on the neighbouring Stoke Fruit Farm Store.
The farm additionally works in the direction of wildlife conservation, with a variety of initiatives aimed toward boosting wildlife. This contains 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 may also help one get again in contact with nature, and the tea rooms are an awesome place to get pleasure from a soothing brew and a slice of cake. Whilst you’re understanding what to do on Hayling Island, you possibly can 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 dwelling offered to animals in want. The sanctuary is open to the general public, permitting guests to see and work together with the donkeys – you possibly can feed and pat the pleasant animals, that are extraordinarily trusting and might be glad of your organization.
The proper household day trip, the sanctuary additionally has a strict hygiene coverage in place, to maintain folks and donkeys protected. You’ll need to e-book upfront.
12. Boat journeys
Frequent seals are identified to reside within the Hayling Island Harbour and throughout the Solent, and there are a variety of unbiased corporations which run boat journeys out to sea with a view to spot these wonderful animals.
Rosie Okay Boat Journeys is probably the most well-known, giving guests an hour lengthy trip alongside the beautiful shoreline. The Rosie Okay has a sheltered indoor cabin and loads of deck area, so you possibly can shelter inside or stand exterior with the breeze in your hair, the selection is yours.
13. Hayling Island Crusing Membership
Hayling Island Crusing Membership is likely one of the focal factors for the neighborhood of Hayling island. Races happen each weekend throughout the crusing season, with locals and guests alike gathering to observe a spread of crusing occasions, together with dinghy and keelboat races, in addition to cruisers.
Because of the actual fact it’s an island, crusing is likely one of the hottest Hayling Island actions for locals.
14. Kitesurfing
The uncovered shoreline of Hayling island, notably to the south, makes it an awesome location for watersports, with a gradual breeze offering the right circumstances. Kitesurfing specifically, is extremely in style on the island, with the annual Kitesurfing Armada Pageant.
Windsurfing is one other in style watersport, andwas really invented on Hayling island by younger Peter Chilvers in 1958. Practically all of Hayling’s seashores cater to watersports and plenty 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 many years earlier than. Operating alongside the south coast of the island, the Seaside Railway presents 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 a railway line alongside the coast on the west of the island. Now it’s a flat pathway in style with households and cyclists due to it being completely pedestrianised. It’s positively a Hayling Island hotspot!
If you happen to’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 the best way to stroll all the way in which 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 need to take to the adrenaline-filled rides of Funland, spot uncommon chicken species at Northney Farm and the Oyster beds, or just lease a seaside hut and loosen up whereas the youngsters take to the waves for a spot of kitesurfing – there may be loads of issues to do on Hayling Island to maintain all people busy.