Holiday Accommodation on Hayling Island

Where to stay on the island

Hayling Island has a range of holiday accommodation serving visitors who come for the beaches, the sailing, the Hayling Billy Trail and the relaxed coastal atmosphere. The options include holiday parks, self-catering cottages and flats, bed and breakfast establishments and caravan parks.

Holiday parks are one of the main forms of accommodation on the island. These parks offer static caravans, lodges and chalets for weekly or short-break rental, typically with on-site facilities including swimming pools, entertainment, playgrounds and shops. Mill Rythe Holiday Village is one of the best-known parks, catering primarily to families with young children. The parks are busiest during the school holidays and bank holiday weekends, and many close or reduce their operations during the winter.

Self-catering accommodation is available across the island, ranging from beach houses and bungalows to flats and apartments. Some property owners let their homes on a short-term basis through booking platforms, providing visitors with the independence to explore the island at their own pace. Self-catering suits families and groups who want to cook for themselves and live as the locals do for a week or a weekend.

Bed and breakfast establishments provide a more personal form of accommodation, with hosts offering rooms, breakfasts and local knowledge. The B&B owners on Hayling tend to be long-term residents who know the island well and can advise on the best walks, the quietest beaches and the most reliable pubs.

Caravan and touring parks provide pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and, in some cases, tents. These parks are popular with regular visitors who return year after year, and the touring community has its own social character.

The closure of Butlins in 2009 removed the island's largest single accommodation provider, and the holiday market has since shifted towards smaller-scale, more varied options. The island's appeal as a holiday destination rests on its beaches, its harbours, its sporting heritage and its quiet, island atmosphere, and the accommodation available reflects these qualities.