Things to Do with Kids on Hayling Island, Rain or Shine
Beach, fairground, miniature railway, ferry rides and a village theatre: here is what families can do on Hayling, with notes on where to go when the weather turns.
Families on Hayling can try the beach, Funland, the Hayling Seaside Railway, the ferry to Portsmouth, Eastoke Corner play park and the Station Theatre. For wet days, the Station Theatre, community centre events and Havant Leisure Centre's soft play are options; check each venue's own site for current times.
Hayling is a classic seaside island with enough variety to fill a day whatever the sky is doing. This guide only lists things we can confirm from the venues' own pages or the council; always check times and prices before you travel.
On the beach and seafront
Hayling has more than three miles of seafront. Havant Borough Council says the seafront has a single dedicated area for swimmers, marked by a series of buoys, with the rest open to watersports. There are no lifeguards, so supervise children closely and read our beach safety guide. Dogs are excluded from the Central Beachlands bathing area in summer, which is worth knowing if you are bringing the family dog (dog rules).
Funland
Funland, at the seafront, describes itself as having over 18 rides, an amusement arcade, Diane's Diner, a large kids' play area and a pirate-themed golf course. It lists Halloween, Christmas and firework nights as seasonal events. Its website has a prices and opening times page for current details.
Hayling Seaside Railway
A 2ft narrow gauge railway runs between Eastoke Corner and Beachlands, described on its own site as a two mile round trip along the beach. It says it is open weekends, Wednesdays and daily during Hampshire school holidays, with timetables and fares on its website. Its station is at Eastoke, PO11 9HL.
Ferry to Portsmouth
The Hayling Ferry crosses from Ferry Point at the south-west tip of the island to Eastney in Portsmouth, a crossing time of about five minutes according to Havant Borough Council. It takes foot passengers and bicycles, and the operator publishes seasonal timetables and fares at haylingferry.net.
Parks and play
Eastoke Corner play park has a fenced play area and multi-use games area; the skatepark is open to all abilities. See our parks and walks guide for details. The Sandy Point Stroll takes in the lifeboat station, where the Conservancy says crews are usually out practising on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
When it rains
- Station Theatre. The Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society's 144-seat theatre in Station Road shows plays, music events, pantomimes and monthly film screenings. It sells tickets through TicketSource.
- Hayling Island Community Centre. HICCA, on Station Road, runs a calendar of shows and events, including youth productions; its events page lists what is on.
- Havant Leisure Centre. Off the island in Havant, the Horizon-run centre offers swimming, swimming lessons and a soft play area called Oceans of Play, plus toddler groups, according to the council's Horizon page.
Getting around
Stagecoach buses 30 and 31 link Havant bus station with the Hayling seafront every 15 minutes in the daytime, and hourly in the evenings and on Sundays, according to Havant Borough Council. See our traffic guide for summer driving.
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