Wittering Sands
This is the guide I would give you at the kitchen table. Everything here is somewhere we go ourselves, with honest walk and drive times from our front door at 14 Wittering Road. Small places change their hours all the time, so please check before you go.
Gillian Godwin
Use the filters to narrow things down. Sailors start next door at the club, families head for the seafront and the little railway, dogs want the Hayling Billy path, and couples should drive to Emsworth or catch the sunset at Inn on the Beach.
A few minutes on foot
Our neighbours, and the reason this house exists. The boys grew up in that dinghy park. Visiting sailors are usually made very welcome, but ring ahead if you want to launch or eat there.
Office weekdays 09:00 to 17:00, weekends 08:00 to 17:00. Bar and restaurant hours vary with the weather and events, so check before you go.
A few minutes on foot
My favourite short walk. Around the lagoon, past the lifeboat station and on to Black Point. The current can run hard here, so hold onto small hands and keep dogs on leads.
Short drive
Where I do the proper shop. A small Sainsburys, a very good butcher, a book shop, chemist, Post Office, greengrocer and Hayling Hardware. Check before you go.
Short drive over Hayling Bridge
A large Tesco, M&S and Next on the retail park just past the A27 flyover, plus a Waitrose in Havant town centre. Check before you go.
About 10 minutes on foot
2 Sandy Point Road, PO11 9RP. Cash only, so take some with you. No website that I can vouch for, so check before you go.
About 20 minutes on foot to Eastoke Corner
A very long list of ice creams and sorbets, which is the whole point when you are nine people. Facebook page only, so check before you go.
About 20 minutes on foot to Eastoke Corner
Cafe in the day, bar in the evening. Facebook page only, so check before you go.
Short drive to Mengham, delivers
The second Indian in Mengham, also delivering. No website I can point you to, so check before you go.
A few minutes on foot
Unmanned, quiet and almost ours. Public access around the lagoon, though beyond the rocks is Hayling Island Sailing Club members only. The current can be strong, so watch children closely.
Short drive
The proper bucket and spade beach, with pay and display parking and chips within reach. This is where I send families for the whole day.
A few minutes on foot
Walk from the lifeboat station around the point and on to the seafront. Best an hour before sunset, dogs on leads near the water.
Cycle or drive to the foot ferry
Cross Langstone Harbour on the little ferry, then cycle the seafront or take the bus into town. Ferry running times vary, so check before you go.
About half an hour by car
One of the prettiest villages on the harbour, with a Saxon church and a very good ice cream parlour. Mind the tide, the road floods and it catches visitors out every summer.
While you are here
Wifi, the ovens, the heating, the huts and check out all live on the guest guide. Links here were right when I wrote them, but small businesses change hands often, so if a website has gone the map link will still get you there.