by D.G. Culpitt

This wild yet strangely beautiful harbour is rarely visited by cruising dinghies. They seem to prefer the wooded creeks of neighbouring Chichester Harbour rather than the salterns of Langstone. Yet at high water Langstone becomes an inland sea with a blueness only found in tropical waters. This phenomenon is caused by the mud whose smell is second to none along the South Coast! Many islands in the north-east corner are easily reached by a dinghy and make good camping sites away from civilisation. In fact this harbour is the ideal spot for the keen dinghy cruising type.

There are two ways into Langstone, through the harbour entrance or under the bridges in the north-east. If approaching from Chichester harbour along Hayling front one can stand out to Langstone fairway buoy or try the inside passage of the East Winner. The latter saves about two miles but should not be approached in a strong S.E. wind. The approach from the west is not so difficult. At low water springs there is just enough water for a centreboarder to slide over the West Winner. However, if there is a strong S.W. wind blowing it is wiser to round the Fairway buoy (Port). When entering against the ebb it is best to hug the starboard shore where a favourable eddy always runs. In rough weather a boat can use the inside passage under Langstone bridge but even at low water Bermudian rigged boats will have to lower their masts.

On the Hayling side by the ferry is the famous watering place known as ‘The Norfolk’. The absence of carpets and poodles means that one can take a pint of nourishment with next to nothing on! If your boat offers good sleeping accommodation Sinah lake offers first class holding ground on sand — and is near the pub! Opposite, on the Portsmouth side, there is a similar lake but the anchorage is crowded. This place dries out leaving a smelly mud dotted with anchor flukes. There are also species of fishermen peculiar to this area — they are best well left alone.

In the N.W. corner of Langstone at the top of Broom Channel is the Tudor Sailing Club. Here Dinghy Cruisers are well received. A word to the Bosun should see your boat on the visitors’ buoy. Just down the road is the ‘Salterns Road House’, being a free house and suchlike the place is highly recommendable.

But if the call of the wild runs through your blood a few days on the islands is a must. They are low but well above high water springs. North Binness is the largest and most northerly of these isles. It is the only one with trees and low shrubs and also for those interested in bird life this island goes in for long-eared owls. South Binness, Baker, and Long Island are covered in long grass. The wind whistles over these on the best of days and at night only the lights of far away Portsmouth gives a reminder of another way of life.

The most northerly part is Bedhampton Creek. This is a charming spot sheltered from the south-west. There is an old wharf and warehouse that offers good shelter. Until a few years ago there was an old working barge moored nearby but like many of its kind it has rotted away.

The western side of Hayling Island is wooded and very attractive but the Langstone main channel is about a mile from the shore the only approach being on the top of the tide even then windward work would be quite a task. The famous Hayling Billy train runs close to the shore carrying hordes of trippers, and to see the ‘Emmet’ in action might be well worth the slog.

Langstone has missed commercialisation on the Chichester Harbour scale. Only two clubs race on its waters compared to the dozens next door. The big yachts keep clear because of the adverse comments given in all pilot books. So if you are looking for plenty of water, few boats and escape from crowded anchorages may I welcome you to Langstone Harbour?