This was our second visit to Warners Lakeside Coastal Village on Hayling Island. We had been surprised to receive an “exclusive” invite to a mid-week break at Lakeside. We had had to book direct with Lakeside and were given a re-furbished chalet rather than an upper floor room in one of the blocks that we had on our first visit.
Our chalet room at Lakeside, Linnett #011
As soon as we opened the door a disgusting smell greeted us. We rang reception and asked for someone to come and clear the drains?
Evening of the 15th at Lakeside
After we had booked we were asked to pick a time to come to dinner. We booked for for 7:30 pm. When we arrived at the restaurant/entertainment venue we discovered that guests had to be there at noon dinner to reserve their table for the week.
Checking the entertainment guide it was clear that Lakeside expected gusts to be arriving at noon as this is when the programme started.
Arriving at 7:30 pm meant that we were placed as far away as it was possible for the stage. Our view was blocked by pillars too! Our server explained that we could come whenever we wanted to eat as soon as the restaurant had opened.
We discovered that the buffet had run out for some of the options and it was clear that arriving at our scheduled time meant no choice of food too! To add insult to injury the corner we were placed in was freezing cold!
Avoid table 128 if you ever visit Lakeside.
The entertainment was from the Warners theatre company and was a medley of Queen songs called “Bohemian Rock”.
West Wittering Beach on 16th
The smell had returned to our room and before we left for breakfast we had to call reception again, this time hoping for a permanent solution. We were “early” for breakfast and had lots of choice.
West Wittering beach was empty and we walked along the beach until we reached the small car park.
This was where the National Trust land started and we followed a walk that looped around the peninsular. This gave us great views of the anchorage.
The cafe on the beach was having its kitchen cleaned and rather just have cakes and a coffee we left to look for a local pub for lunch. We followed the B2179 away from the beach and saw on our right a sign for the The Ship at Itchenor.
Itchenor it turned out was back North towards Chichester Harbour and was quite a drive down in places narrow lanes. The pub was on our left with a car park at the back. As we turned we could see the masts of dinghies at a sailing club. Once inside we discovered that the pub was not serving lunches – January! Shame the sign way back indicated they did. We left and headed back to our original route back to Hayling Island.
The Ship (at Langstone)
Before we reached the bridge to Hayling Island we turned into the car park of one of favourite pubs, The Ship. We have eaten here both for lunch and for dinner.
We settled into a table under the stairs to enjoy our lunch.
Evening 16th
In our room the smell had gone once and for all. We made sure that we were in the Chichester Restaurant early to make sure the buffet had not run out food. The Italian food menu was very good. While the house band was playing we moved to the bar area to try and have a better view of the stage. The table with the best view had drinks and coats already, probably guests with the same issues as us.
Steve Taylor performs at Lakeside
Even sitting back on another table we did have a better view of the stage to see Steve Taylor perform his shoe ” Let’s get back to the 60s”.
Beachlands on Hayling Island on 17th
Wednesday morning at breakfast we may have been early but there was a distinct lack of staff in the restaurant. We must have been later as we had to go across to the other buffett past the stage to get our breakfast. The exercise probably was good for us in the end.
Mad Hatters
No visit to Hayling Island and Lakeside would be complete without a walk along the beach to Mad Hatters. The little cafe was very busy and we enjoyed our tea and cakes.
Back at Lakeside we had lunch in the bar area before going back to our room for a read.
Walk Like A Man perform at the Lakeside
The act performing after dinner was one that had seen before on ships but this evening they would not be limited to a 45 minute slot. In the bar area coats again reserved the only other table even as we entered the restaurant.
The performance from the group was excellent. The extra time gave them the opportunity to have solos, make even more jokes at each other’s expense and to come down onto the dance floor to perform.
The folks on the “reserved” table by the bar were bored at times and we had to ask very politely could they please sit so we could see the stage.
It was a clear evening walking back to the chalet. Bright enough to make our way through the unlight parts of the grounds.
Chichester on the 18th
On our last day we headed for Chichester.
We went into the Clarendon gallery to have a look at the prints. Just as on the ships art by Mr Brainwash was on display. Chatting with the very helpful manager and her assistant we shared comments about street art and some of the UK artists that perhaps should be included.
Across the street I found this art by Stik – completely unexpected!
Down an alleyway I explored an art gallery that looked to have been a church at one time. The artists on display were all local.
We had lunch upstairs in M&S. Here are two more pieces of street art.
Bosham
After Chichester it was only a short drive to Bosham.
We hadn’t visited Bosham Holy Trinity Church for quite some time. For over a thousand years the church has been worshipped at and has quite a lot of history.
Inside the church we spent time looking at the exhibits and the plaques on the walls.
The church is mentioned in the Bayeux Tapestry and on the wall is a replica of that part of the tapestry.
On the floor is a plaque that covers the location of a small coffin. This is rumoured to be that of King Cnut’s daughter (or King Canute when I was being taught history) who was supposed to have drowned in the nearby mill stream.
Gala Evening at Lakeside
On our way into the restaurant we stopped and had our picture taken. The meal promised to be a special one as it was the week’s “Gala Dinner”. We were all served the main course at our tables and it indeed was a special meal!
For the evening’s performance of “Musicals now” we stayed at our table and watched the stage around the pillar!
The 19th, last breakfast at Lakeside
On our way in for an early breakfast we picked up the portrait photograph for the Gala Evening – shame we hadn’t dresses to impress! Then it was back to our room, pick up our bags and set off home.