HaBring an appetite… yling Island
There’s nothing like a sea breeze to make you feel hungry. Pop into a pub for lunch
Seaside Railway
Peter Chilvers
to resist.
yling IslandHAYLING ISLANDBring your binoculars… Ha
Hayling Island is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers, the harbours, coast,
Hayling Island’s unique atmosphere takes you back to carefree childhood days, of
marshes, oyster beds, and wetlands provide great habitats.
summers in the sun and days you thought would never end. The bell-shaped island
The land might not roll but the sea does and it was here, in 1958, that a 13 year-old
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
local school boy called Peter Chilvers took to the waves with a piece of ply-wood, a
Bring your camera… and take home some special memories.
Did You Know? During the war, this brave little island stood as a decoy for nearby
Portsmouth, drawing bombers away from military and naval targets. One of the
has become a mecca for the sport. Conditions on Hayling Island lend themselves
anti-aircraft gun sites on the Sinah Common has been restored and Mulberry Harbour
Dock remains, still sitting off-shore in langstone Harbour, near the Ferry Point.
Driving over the bridge at night when the water is high is magical.”
Neville Shute, author of many books including A Town like Alice, lived on the island
Winter or summer, there’s always plenty to enjoy;
from 1940 – 1951.
Bring your family…
Her Serene Highness Princess Caroline Yoursky, youngest daughter of Csar Alexander
II of Russia, lived in a bungalow in Havant Road. She came to seek relief from her
Beachlands, that’s what we call the seafront down here, has won two International
asthma and slipped slowly into poverty. She’s buried in St Peter’s Church, Northney.
Blue Flag Awards. Go for a paddle, play on the beach and go wild in the Adventure
The tenth century name for Hayling Island was Heglingaigai which translates to the
Playground. Catch the little train, it runs along the front to Funland Amusement
Island of the Holy Grail – some say that it’s still hidden here some-where?
Park.
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Bronze Age axe heads have been found and ancient coins are often washed up on
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It’s just right for families, very laid-back with beach huts lined up in rows or
the beaches.
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gathered in groups. There’s plenty of family friendly accommodation including self-
catering properties, holiday villages, caravan and camping sites.
Don’t miss….v
an
The Hayling Island Lifeboat Station and Museum & Information Centre, Bracklesham
vBring your wetsuit…
Road, opens 7pm-9pm on Wednesday, 10am-12 noon on Sundays. Telephone 023 92
an
465641.
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Windsurfers and kite-surfers love to try and catch the wind and the waves.
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Conditions on Hayling Island are great for all abilities. Join us in September when
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The Scarecrow Festival in the summer – we had 350 scarecrows in 2008. It’s great
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fun for the family.
fatface.com/stry/nightwindsurf
Bring some energy…
G Spraggs: www.birdwatching.co.uk
Walk, run, cycle or go horse-riding along the Hayling Billy Trail, it’s as nice as it
Common Tern
Little Tern
Little Egret
sounds. The trail follows the old railway line that linked Havant and Hayling for
almost one hundred years. It hugs the West Hayling Local Nature Reserve and ends
at the old station, now the Station Theatre.
What’s next, tee off for some golf, wizz around the skate park or take a walk along
the shore, there’s always something going on.