Medieval fish trap. East Head 1.

Low tide on Hayling Island reveals what most visitors walk straight past - a series of wooden stakes driven deep into the mudflats at East Head, the remains of a medieval fish trap that's been underwater for centuries. What you're looking at is a line of timber posts, weathered and barnacled, arranged in a V-shape to funnel fish into a holding area when the tide came in. It's genuinely clever engineering, the kind of thing that makes you stop and think about how people made their living from these waters 600 years ago.

You can only see it properly when the tide's out, which limits visits somewhat - check the tides before you go. The site itself is free and accessible, right on the shoreline near Hayling Island. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested in the archaeology; less if you're just popping down for a quick look. It's not exactly a destination in itself, but if you're already staying at one of the nearby parks like Fishery Creek Touring Park or Stubcroft Farm Campsite, it's worth timing a walk to coincide with low tide.

History enthusiasts will get the most from it. Kids might find it underwhelming unless you properly explain what they're seeing - a row of old sticks in the mud doesn't grab their attention without context. The real appeal is as part of a broader exploration of Hayling Island's coastline, where you can combine it with other shoreline walks and the wider marshland landscape.