Discover Havant: History, Culture and Trails

Havant combines historical traces with cultural attractions and trails that lead you as far as the seafront promenade on Hayling Island. If you are planning a trip, you can choose between local history, parkland, events and a cycling tour or walk. This combination makes Havant an interesting base for a variety of holiday days.

Discover history in the townscape

A good place to start is the Havant Heritage Trail, with 34 sights marked by plaques. The route draws attention to individual reminders of the town’s history and gives your exploration a clear thematic framework. The historic buildings include St Faith's Church, which was built in the 12th century. A free guide is available there for independent exploration.

The Glove Factory is also part of the local industrial history. It was an important source of local employment in Havant. Alfred Stent & Sons produced gloves there for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Anyone interested in craftsmanship, working life and the development of a place will find another historical perspective here alongside the religious and architectural stops.

Parkland and the Hayling Billy Trail

Staunton Country Park reveals another side of Havant. The historic estate has been transformed into a visitor attraction and features Grade II listed Regency parkland. The parkland complements the town walk with a destination that has a historic character.

The former Hayling Billy Line plays a special role for active days: it is now a recreational route. On the Hayling Billy Trail, a 1.2 km section has been resurfaced as a route that can be used all year round and in all weather conditions. It is intended for walkers, scooter users, cyclists and people with limited mobility. The seafront promenade on Hayling Island can be reached from Havant by bicycle or on foot via the Hayling Billy Coastal Path. This allows you to plan your trip as either a walk or a cycling excursion, depending on your preferred pace.

Culture, market and events

The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre brings together several cultural attractions. The museum presents exhibitions, films and an interactive model of the former Hayling Billy Line. The centre also hosts theatre performances. On selected Saturdays, the free Music Bites live performances take place in the gallery; booking is not required. As these performances are not listed for every Saturday, it is worth including the specific date in your plans.

Another regular feature of the weekly schedule is the lively street market, held in Havant on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This means you can combine a historical walk, a visit to the market or a cultural programme with an excursion to the park or onto the trail, without limiting your stay to just one type of experience.

Choose the right base for your trip

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can first decide which experiences should be the focus. For days centred on history and culture, the Heritage Trail, St Faith's Church, the Glove Factory and The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre are the main attractions. If you would rather spend time outdoors, Staunton Country Park and the Hayling Billy Trail offer specific points of interest. Havant’s interactive cycling map contains links to destinations such as railway stations and bicycle shops and can help you prepare your own cycling tours.

For further ideas when searching for destinations, you can also look at Barton on Sea, Boldre, Ellingham, Bordon, Ringwood, Overton, Wickham and Romsey.

To the overarching travel overview: Hampshire.