Opened in 1867, the station at West Town, Hayling, was the southern terminus of the Havant to Hayling branch line. The small station had a single platform, goods shed and signal box, but no engine turntable. The station served South Hayling for nearly one hundred years before its last train left on 3rd November 1963.
Did You Know?
The lack of a train turntable meant that trains coming down the Hayling line facing forwards had to complete to return journey backwards!
Since 1997, the station has served as the home for HIADS (Hayling Island Amateur Dramatics Society). The old goods shed of the station has been converted into a 144 seat theatre for seasonal productions. This was made possible thanks to grants from Hampshire County Council, the Foundation for Sports and the Arts, the National Lottery Arts Council and support from the local community too.
Did You Know?
For years after the closure of the station, a ‘Hayling Billy’ Terrier tank engine was sited in the car park of The Hayling Billy pub (now a block of flats). Removed in the 1970s, this engine has happily been returned to service on the Isle of Wight as part of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
- Hayling Island Amateur Dramatics Society (HIADS) – click here
- Seasonal events on at the HIADS theatre – click here
- HIADS: Station Rd, Hayling Island PO11 0EH. Phone: 023 9246 6363