Langstone to Hayling Island - a great walk... in waders | Nostalgia

The age of the Wadeway from Langston (sic) to Hayling Island has been lost in time, but it was possibly used by the Romans. It was a hard-surfaced track which was still in use until 1820/21.
By Bob Hind
Published 13th Apr 2020, 18:08 BST
Updated 13th Apr 2020, 18:08 BST
The Wadeway leading across the mudflats from Langstone to Hayling Island. Picture: Robert PragnellThe Wadeway leading across the mudflats from Langstone to Hayling Island. Picture: Robert Pragnell
The Wadeway leading across the mudflats from Langstone to Hayling Island. Picture: Robert Pragnell

The track was abandoned because of the building of the Portsmouth to Arundel canal. To stop barges going aground, the Wadeway had to be dug out giving more depth.

Even today it is possible, at low tide, to almost cross from Langstone to Hayling. It is quite safe to walk all the way out to that channel dug all those years ago. But to go all the way to Hayling? Possible perhaps in waders, but I wouldn't like to chance it.

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Below is a view from the signal box into Portsmouth & Southsea station. The box stood to the west of Jacob’s Ladder footbridge which crosses the railway from Greetham Street to the Railway View/Durham Street junction.On the left is the gradient to the high level platforms and then the five passenger platforms of the low level.

On the far right is the fish dock. In the 1980s, a Matalan store and car park was built on the right. Only two low level platforms remain.

Related topics:LangstoneHayling IslandNostalgiaPortsmouthArundel

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