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Beach and Coast

Beautiful beaches

Hayling Island is a premier location for all those in search of child-friendly and scenic clean beaches. It holds two European Blue Flag Awards and also the Tidy Britain Seaside Award in recognition of the cleanliness and superb facilities of its beaches, making it a wonderful place to experience an English seaside holiday.

Because there is simply so much to see, the five mile long seaside shore is divided into different areas. Beachlands, the name given to the seafront area of Hayling Island and West Beachlands, where the European Blue Flag beaches are located. Hayling Island is the only place in Britain to qualify for two Blue Flags.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors there are bylaws governing dogs and horses on beaches. Owners are advised to refer to signposting in the area or to check with the Beachlands office on 023 9246 3297.

Access for all

Efforts have been made in the last year to make the seafront area accessible to all with the provision of boardwalks over the shingle bank, which are wide enough to take wheelchairs. Specially designed picnic areas are also located on some of the boardwalks. The boardwalks have recently been extended to reach beach huts, which have been adapted to accommodate wheelchairs; these are available to hire from the Beachlands Management Office on 023 9246 3297. Wheelchairs can also be hired through the Hayling Wheelchair Services. Phone Number 023 9246 5889

Fun at the seaside!

Beach Volleyball
Beach Volleyball is available free of charge on the seafront, bring your own ball and turn up and play!

Adventure Playground
Situated at Beachlands, the brightly coloured playground is suitable for young children to play in safe environment.

Beach Huts
Those wishing to join the fashionable trend of having a beach hut can do so by leasing one for a year. A limited number are available for weekly hire offering visitors a special place to call their own and extending the enjoyment of the beach as shelter from the sun and sea breezes. A truly English experience.

Picnic and Barbecue Areas
There are some wonderful places to picnic at Beachlands, including some at the boardwalks that have been especially designed to assist the less able to enjoy the beach. There are two turn-up-and-use barbecue grills on the seafront plus one site which, can be booked for your own barbecue party, of course visitors can also use disposable barbecues. Contact the Beachlands Office on 023 9246 3297.

Refreshments
There are a number of kiosks, cafes, bars and restaurants that adjoin the beach serving a range of snacks, meals and drinks and not forgetting, ice creams!

For additional beach front entertainment see sports and leisure sections and attractions. For more information about Hayling's beaches, see the online Good Beach Guide (enter "Hayling" in the search box).

And much more besides...

Coastal Countryside
Hayling Island, Havant and Emworth is where the countryside meets the seashore. It is an environment for all seasons. The summer is delightful with shady forests or coastal paths with sea breezes to keep you cool, or you may prefer walking along the beach and getting the sand between your toes.

The autumn offers a chance to kick your way through golden woodland leaves and in winter, snuggle into your favourite warm jumper, take in some bracing sea air then find a cosy pub or tea room to warm yourself. The spring offers rejuvenation everywhere with lambs and an abundance of wild flowers in woodlands, and on marshes and seashores.

Portsdown Hill offers spectacular views and is listed as a site of special scientific interest due to the rare chalk Downland plants. Or there is Broadmarsh; a coastal wilderness with footpaths connecting Langstone and Hayling Island to Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve, so plenty of countryside to bring out the adventurer within you!