St Mary's Church, North Hayling

The medieval church at the heart of the island's history

St Mary's Church in North Hayling is the oldest building on the island and one of the finest small medieval churches in Hampshire. The church dates from the twelfth century, with elements from even earlier periods, and it stands in a peaceful churchyard surrounded by farmland close to the harbour shore.

The church is built of local stone and flint, with a simple nave, chancel and a distinctive wooden bell turret. The interior retains medieval features including carved stonework, an ancient font and wall paintings that have survived centuries of whitewash and restoration. The building has been modified and repaired over the centuries, but its essential character remains that of a small, rural parish church.

St Mary's was the original parish church for the whole of Hayling Island, and its churchyard contains graves spanning many centuries of island history. The church sits away from the modern centre of population in South Hayling, reflecting the fact that North Hayling was the original settlement, with farming and fishing providing the livelihood.

Regular services are held at St Mary's, and the church hosts weddings, baptisms and funerals. The building is also used for concerts and community events, and its atmospheric interior provides a setting that modern buildings cannot replicate.

The churchyard is notable for its mature yew trees and its views across the flat island landscape to the harbour. Visitors to North Hayling who discover the church often find it one of the most memorable experiences on the island, a place of quiet antiquity in a landscape of holiday parks and suburban housing.