Camping in Hayling Island

Camping on Hayling Island means using a proper site rather than pitching wild: wild camping without the landowner's permission is against the law in England, and with the island's beaches, farmland and nature reserves all in private or protected ownership, informal camping is neither legal nor welcome here. Fortunately the island has a small number of well-regarded touring parks that make the most of its coastal setting, several sitting directly on tidal creeks with private slipways for launching kayaks and small boats.

Fishery Creek Touring Park, on the island's south-eastern side, is the standout choice for tents, caravans and motorhomes, set on a peaceful tidal creek within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and only a ten-minute walk from the Blue Flag beach. Its grass pitches are individually fenced and shaded by trees along the creek, with a shop, cafe-bar and children's play areas on site. Other parks on the island cater more towards static holiday homes and touring caravans, particularly around Northney and the quieter northern shore, handy for the Hayling Billy Coastal Path and Langstone Harbour's birdwatching.

Because the island is flat, low-lying and exposed to Solent winds, camping here suits anyone visiting for windsurfing or kitesurfing, but it also means more sheltered pitches are worth seeking out if a blustery night doesn't appeal. Late spring through early autumn is the best camping season, when the weather is kindest and the watersports schools, funfair and seafront cafes are all open. For a more comfortable stay without your own kit, several sites offer glamping options such as furnished bell tents or static pods, giving the same creekside or coastal settings without the need to pitch a tent.