The Island covers only ten square miles and is accessible from the mainland by a road bridge at its northern end. Halfway along its four-mile length it is almost cut in two at the point where Mill Rythe, a narrow inlet, comes in on the east side from Chichester Harbour. At this point the island is only half a mile across. Almost all the population of the island live south of this narrow waist.
Although Hayling is a popular retirement spot, there is a broad demographic spread and there are two infant, two junior and one secondary school. In common with the rest of the south, there are planning pressures and there has been an increase in housing in recent years however, being an island helps to engender a strong sense of community.

Part of the beach, at West Beachlands, now boasts two European Blue Flags, the Tidy Britain Group's Premier Resort Seaside Award and the Solent Water Quality Award in recognition of its high standards of beach and foreshore management and good water quality.
Beachlands itself is over 100 acres of land between Sea Front [road] and the shore. Its grassy dunes, gorse, wild flowers and bird life provide delightful picnic spots, and its unspoilt nature is what sets it aside from many other, larger, resorts.

The Amusements and Fun Fair are a long established attraction.
A more recent addition on Hayling sea front is the East Hayling Light Railway, a narrow gauge train opened in the summer of 2003 running from Beachlands to Eastoke Corner which in its first season of operation had attracted over 20,000 passengers. An intermediate station is provided at Seagrove Avenue called Hornby Halt.

Some Local History
Hayling's essentially modern appearance hides a more complex history reaching back beyond Saxon and Roman times. The name is Saxon in origin, meaning the Island of Hegel's People, but when the Saxons first occupied the area there was already a Roman building in North Hayling. By the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, most of the island had been settled. There were four manors and a population as large as that found in the three mainland parishes of Bedhampton, Havant and Warblington put together.

The largest manor was in South Hayling and had been given by William the Conqueror to the monks of the Abbey of Jumieges in Normandy. In the 15th century the lands of the Priory, which had been farmed by the King for some time, were given to the Charterhouse by Henry V. They later came into the possession of the Dukes of Norfolk.

In North Hayling, St Peter's Church, built in 1140, is the loveliest building on the island. It is a fine example of a typical English village church of the Norman period. Its foundations are said to be large 'erratic' stones left as the ice receded in the post-glacial period. The peal of three bells is said to be the oldest in England, the tenor bell having been dated by the Whitechapel Foundry as from about 1350.

In ancient times the Wade-Way was the only way to reach Hayling Island on foot until the construction of the first wooden toll bridge in 1824. It connected with the main East-West road at Havant. There was a Victorian railway bridge in use for almost 100 years until the Hayling Branch line was closed in 1963. The concrete piles still remain. The toll bridge was replaced in 1956 by the current metal bridge.

Fishing
Fishing is one of the most popular past times on Hayling Island with a variety of idyllic locations to choose from. Fresh water and salt-water are in abundance and sea-angling fishing trips can be arranged with some of the local fishermen.

Golf
There are two links golf courses on the island.

Pitch & Putt
Pitch & Putt can be played on the 9 hole par 3 course on the seafront at West Beachlands, clubs can be hired so no need to bring your own.

Skateboard Park
This is available free of charge with a variety of ramps to suit a range of abilities but remember your own boards and safety equipment.

Walking
There are many miles of shore and country walks.