Summer is one of the best times of year to enjoy Hayling Island, with plenty of things to do throughout the school holidays. Whether you’re a local family looking for new ways to keep the children entertained, welcoming visiting friends and relatives, or planning a day trip to the coast, there’s plenty happening throughout the school holidays.
From beautiful beaches and watersports to family attractions, holiday clubs, local events and fantastic independent cafés, Hayling Island has everything you need for a memorable summer.
We’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of the summer holidays. Along the way you’ll also discover local businesses, attractions and events that make Hayling Island such a great place to visit and live.
Discover What’s On This Summer
One of the easiest ways to plan your summer is by seeing what’s happening across the island before you head out.
Throughout the school holidays you’ll find a fantastic mix of local events, including community festivals, live music, sporting events, children’s activities, charity fundraisers, markets and family fun days. Many local clubs and organisations also host open days, coaching sessions and special summer activities, making it the perfect time to try something new.
Rather than searching lots of different websites and social media pages, the What’s in Hayling Events Calendar brings together events from across the island in one place. New events are added regularly, making it easy to discover what’s happening this weekend, next week or later in the summer.
Whether you’re looking for a family day out, live entertainment or a local community event, it’s always worth checking the Events page before making plans.
Make the Most of Hayling’s Beautiful Beaches
Hayling Island is famous for its coastline, and with miles of beach to explore it’s easy to see why so many people return year after year.
Some visitors enjoy a traditional family beach day complete with buckets, spades and an ice cream, while others head to the water for paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing. If you’d rather slow the pace down, take a stroll along the seafront, enjoy the fresh sea air or simply watch the boats out on the Solent.
Many of the island’s beaches are within walking distance of cafés, restaurants and kiosks, making it easy to spend the whole day by the sea without needing to venture far.
If you’re planning a visit with young children, remember to check tide times before setting off and always follow any local safety advice displayed along the beach.
Family Days Out Everyone Will Enjoy
You don’t need to fill every hour with activities to have a brilliant day on Hayling Island.
Start your morning with breakfast or coffee at one of the island’s independent cafés before heading to the beach or exploring one of the local attractions. After lunch you could enjoy a game of crazy golf, visit the funfair, explore the local nature trails or simply spend the afternoon enjoying the seaside.
Many families enjoy mixing active adventures with quieter moments, whether that’s stopping for an ice cream, browsing local shops or watching the boats come and go from the harbour.
Sometimes the best summer memories come from the simplest days.
Get Active This Summer
Summer is the perfect opportunity to discover a new hobby or enjoy an old favourite.
Hayling Island has a fantastic sporting community with activities suitable for all ages and abilities.
Why not try:
- Paddleboarding
- Sailing
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Padel
- Cricket
- Golf
- Cycling
- Coastal walks
Many clubs welcome beginners and run taster sessions during the school holidays, making it a great time to get involved. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or simply want to keep the family active, you’ll find plenty of opportunities across the island.
Summer Holiday Clubs
Keeping children entertained for six weeks can be a challenge, but Hayling Island offers a great selection of holiday clubs and organised activities.
Sports coaching, sailing, creative workshops, fitness sessions and children’s activity camps all take place throughout the summer, giving young people the chance to learn something new, make friends and stay active while school is out.
Many clubs offer flexible booking options, whether you’re looking for a single day, a half-day session or activities throughout the holidays.
If you’re looking for ideas, browse our Business Directory to discover holiday clubs and family-friendly activities taking place on Hayling Island this summer.
Rainy Days Don’t Have to Stop the Fun
Let’s face it, even during the summer holidays the British weather can sometimes have other ideas.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the day.
Meet friends for coffee at one of Hayling’s welcoming cafés, enjoy lunch at a local pub or restaurant, take part in an indoor sporting activity or explore some of the island’s independent shops.
Rainy days are also a great opportunity to check the What’s in Hayling Events Calendar, as many local organisations host indoor activities throughout the holidays.
Discover Somewhere New to Eat
After a busy morning exploring the island, there’s nothing better than sitting down to enjoy a good meal.
Hayling Island has a fantastic choice of cafés, restaurants, pubs and takeaways, whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, lunch by the sea, freshly caught seafood or somewhere to enjoy an evening meal with family and friends.
Many venues offer outdoor seating during the warmer months, making the most of Hayling’s coastal setting.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to try, take a look through our Food & Drink listings where you’ll discover everything from independent coffee shops to family-friendly restaurants.
Don’t Forget the Ice Cream
No summer visit to Hayling Island would be complete without an ice cream.
Whether you prefer a traditional cone while strolling along the seafront or a refreshing milkshake after a busy day exploring, there are plenty of local businesses serving delicious treats throughout the summer. Why not stop by Scoopd, or make it your mission to try somewhere new each time you visit?
Why not make it your mission to try somewhere new each time you visit?
Explore Nature and Enjoy the Outdoors
Hayling Island offers far more than just its beaches.
The island is home to beautiful walking routes, coastal paths and peaceful green spaces where you can slow down and enjoy nature.
Take a gentle stroll along the Billy Trail, enjoy the wildlife around the harbour or simply find a quiet spot to watch the sunset over the water.
These quieter moments often become some of the most memorable parts of a summer on Hayling Island.
Support Local Businesses This Summer
Behind every café, shop, attraction and event is a local business helping to make Hayling Island such a welcoming place.
Whether you’re shopping locally, booking an activity, choosing somewhere to eat or discovering a new service, supporting independent businesses helps strengthen the local community and keeps our high street thriving.
The What’s in Hayling Business Directory makes it easy to discover local businesses across the island, whether you’re looking for somewhere to eat, family activities, beauty services, tradespeople, professional services or something completely different.
You might even discover somewhere you’ve never visited before.
Plan Your Perfect Summer on Hayling Island
Every summer on Hayling Island is different.
One day might be spent relaxing on the beach, another exploring local events, trying a new sport or enjoying lunch with family and friends. With so much happening throughout the holidays, there’s always something new to discover.
Before you head out, don’t forget to browse the What’s in Hayling Events Calendar to see what’s coming up and explore our Business Directory to discover fantastic local businesses, attractions and places to eat.
However you choose to spend your summer, we hope you have a fantastic time making memories on Hayling Island.
