Surrounded by sea and lightly tethered to the south coast, Hayling Island is a seaside resort like no other. Drive over the road bridge that connects it to Hampshire and you know that you’re on holiday – thanks, in part, to the holiday parks that dominate this part of the coast. It’s five miles of beach, fun fair rides and watersports that attract the crowds. We’ve looked beyond the holiday parks to find the very best camping and glamping sites on and near Hayling Island.
Situated between Portsmouth and Chichester harbours, Hayling Island has been attracting holidaymakers since the 1930s. Much of it is given over to holiday parks that aren’t always the Hipcamp clan’s kind of places – but look a little harder and perhaps a little further afield and there’s some great camping and glamping near here. Thankfully, our travel experts have done the hard work for you and have sought out camping and glamping sites across Hampshire that meet our exacting standards. From classic campsites to luxury glamping sites, we’ve found plenty of independently-owned and operated sites that offer something a bit special. And if they feature here, they’re within reach of the sea, sand and windsurfing that’s been attracting holidaymakers to Hayling for generations.
Windsurfing was invented on Hayling Island so it’s the perfect place to head for if you’re a windsurfer or a wannabe. There are plenty of watersports companies on the island who can help you get set up. Take a look at Visit Hampshire’s Hayling Island pages for more information. With five miles of beaches, the shoreline is yours to explore. You can paddle in the sea, picnic on the beach or head for the amusement arcades and fun fair. Walking and cycling are also pleasant way to explore this flat island – and, if you like bird-watching, don’t forget the binoculars. Hayling Island looks west over Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where mudflats and saltmarshes attract thousands of wading birds.
You can drive to the mainland and around to Chichester Harbour itself to see more of the area’s natural highlights – with 56 miles of footpaths to help you explore the area. The cathedral city of Chichester is less than 30 minutes’ drive with historic Portsmouth and it’s famous dockyard even closer.
Whether it's walking the Hayling Billy coastal path, birdwatching over the mudflats north of the island or trying your hand at windsurfing on the beaches where it was invented, the south coast island of Hayling is an excellent location for a camping holiday. Find the best campsites nearby here.