Hayling Island is type of an enigma to anybody who hasnโt visited. Itโs on the south coast of England, in between Portsmouth and Chichester, and is a well-liked spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers. However thereโs rather more to it than thatโฆ
I solely reside a 15-minute drive from Hayling Island, or a 5-minute ferry trip.
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 title โ Funland is among 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 purchasing choices.
In case youโre visiting Hayling on a scorching summers day, you thenโll wish to cool off on the Beaver Creek log flume, while Wild Billyโs Runaway Mine Practice is certain to get the adrenaline pumping. Itโs helpful to know that Funland is among the stops on the Seaside Railway (learn on to seek out out extra), so why not take the youngsters for a trip on the prepare earlier than arriving at Funland?
2. Hayling Island seashores
There are three major 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 โ this makes it one of the best seaside for swimming. On a sunny day you may see out to the Isle of Wight.
Beachlands Central options a mixture of sand and shingle, and gives probably the most services, good 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 great views out to Chichester Harbour from right here.
All the seashores are Blue Flag licensed, that means they meet strict environmental requirements. Every seaside additionally gives one thing totally different, and you must undoubtedly go to all three throughout your journey to Hayling Island.ย If doubtful 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 itโs among the finest issues to do on Hayling Island. You’ll be able to park up close to the seaside and stroll all the best way around the Sandy Level Nature Reserve, which is able to take within the Hayling Island Crusing Membership and the Lifeboat Centre too.
You’ll be able toโt really go into the Reserve, as that will defeat the aim, however there are some uncommon flowers rising there and itโs an incredible spot for hen lovers.
In case you hold strolling spherical youโll come to a beautiful, sandy seaside.
4. Sinah Warren
In case youโre in search of someplace to remain on Hayling Island, then look no additional than the Sinah Warren. The fashionable adults solely lodge overlooks the harbour, with pleasant gardens and patios capitalising on the contemporary sea air. Thereโs a heated outside pool, tennis courts and big chess to maintain company entertained, whereas the onsite restaurant, The Driftwood, serves up a spread of scrumptious meals.
The lodge 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
Positioned on the northern tip of the island and simply related 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 lodgeโs restaurant, the place company can get pleasure from a meal with peaceable views of the estuary.
In case youโre in search of indoor issues to do on Hayling Island for adults, then the Langstone Resort is a superb selection.
The lodge additionally gives non-public eating and bottomless brunches for these , whereas the close by Langstone Quays Well being Membership is on the market to be used by lodge company.
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 all the island. 9 difficult however achievable holes are located in an incredible location overlooking the Solent and it doesnโt matter in case youโre a seasoned professional otherwise youโve by no means held a golf membership earlier than in your life โ the course welcomes all expertise ranges.
In case youโre in search of extra energetic Hayling Island actions, then the pitch and putt is a superb shout.
You may get classes from ex-pro Ray Gadd in case youโd like, or in case youโd desire simply to observe your loved ones and mates, then there’s a comfy Membership Home overlooking the course, the place you may wait out the sport with a espressoโฆ or a glass of wine.
7. Hayling Island oyster beds
Nature lovers will wish to head to Hayling Islandโs oyster beds. Oysters have been farmed right here since 1819, and the beds have 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, frequent terns, Mediterranean gulls, oystercatcher, redshank, gray plover, curlew and godwit showing by the thousand. Totally different species seem by season, so ensure that to perform a little research if you’re coming to Hayling particularly for birdwatching.
Even in case you arenโt particularly taken with nature, seeing such giant teams of birds gathering collectively makes an exquisite sight that may solely be present in just a few locations throughout the nation.ย
8. Stoke Fruit Farm Store & sunflowers
The family-run Stoke Fruit Farm Store is centrally situated on Hayling island and sells a spread of domestically produced contemporary produce, from potatoes to eggs and pumpkins. Thereโs additionally a deli promoting contemporary cheese, burgers and extra.
The store is a superb place to go to for some contemporary elements, and youngsters will like to see the farmโs free vary hens and flock of twenty sheep, with lambs being born yearly since 2017. Not forgetting after all the helpful and lovely farm canine Spud, Piper and Romi, who’re certain to make guests really feel welcome.
Throughout summer time, the farm store additionally grows an unlimited area of sunflowers. The proper place for a spot of images โ guests in July may even choose their very own sunflowers to take dwelling. And in October, the pumpkins are out in drive! Take the youngsters alongside to choose their very own!
Visiting the Stoke Farm Fruit Store is certainly one among my favorite issues to do on Hayling Islandย โ picked up some nice contemporary crab final time I used to be there!
9. Hayling Island eating placesย
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 Madhatterโs Tea Room is a unusual vegan and gluten-free facility, while Ralphโs 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 donโt must be a lodge visitor to eat there.
And in case youโre after a pub lunch then look no additional than the Maypole Inn, serving a wide range of gourmand meals made with native elements, in addition to a wide range of cask ales. In addition they have an incredible beer backyard for a summer timeโs day.
Inn on the Seaside, which is a pub on the seaside on Hayling Island, does an unbelievable fish and chips which Iโve had various occasions.
And the Salt Shack Cafe on the high of the island, in Northney Marina does an incredible breakfast with a view.
In case youโre in search of an incredible day trip on Hayling Island for adults, one among these nice eating places ought to undoubtedly characteristic.
10. Northney Farmย
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 direction of wildlife conservation, with plenty of initiatives aimed 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 may also help one get again in contact with nature, and the tea rooms are an incredible place to get pleasure from a calming brew and a slice of cake.ย When youโre understanding what to do on Hayling Island, you may benefit from the scrumptious merchandise from this nice farm store.
11. Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuaryย
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 supplied to animals in want. The sanctuary is open to the general public, permitting guests to see and work together with the donkeys โ you may 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 individuals and donkeys secure.ย You will have to e-book upfront.
12. Boat journeysย
Frequent seals are recognized 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 to be able to spot these superb animals.
Rosie Ok Boat Journeys is probably the most well-known, giving guests an hour lengthy trip alongside the beautiful shoreline. The Rosie Ok has a sheltered indoor cabin and loads of deck area, so you may shelter inside or stand outdoors with the breeze in your hair, the selection is yours.
13. Hayling Island Crusing Membershipย
Hayling Island Crusing Membership is among 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.ย
Due to the very fact itโs an island, crusing is among the hottest Hayling Island actionsย for locals.
14. Kitesurfingย
The uncovered shoreline of Hayling island, notably to the south, makes it an incredible location for watersports, with a gradual breeze offering the right circumstances. Kitesurfing specifically, is extremely widespread on the island, with the annual Kitesurfing Armada Competition.
Windsurfing is one other widespread watersport, andwas really invented on Hayling island by younger Peter Chilvers in 1958. Almost all of Haylingโs seashores cater to watersports and plenty of provide classes to those that havenโt tried out kitesurfing or windsurfing earlier than.ย
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. Working 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 โ a good way to navigate the island, particularly for households with youngsters.
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 itโs a flat pathway widespread with households and cyclists due to it being completely pedestrianised. Itโs undoubtedly a Hayling Island hotspot!
In case youโre in search of 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 tips on how to stroll all the best way round Hayling Island right here. The Hayling Island Billy Path is a superb place to stroll your canine โ 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 hen 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 โย there’s loads of issues to do on Hayling Island to maintain everyone busy.