The Railway Arrives at Havant

1847

Havant railway station opened in 1847, connecting the town to the national rail network. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway line passed through Havant, and the station became a junction where the branch line to Hayling Island diverged from the main line. The railway transformed Havant's connections, making it possible to reach London, Portsmouth, Brighton and Chichester by train. The station brought new residents who could live in the market town while working elsewhere, beginning Havant's transition from a self-contained community to a commuter settlement. The goods yard handled freight for the local area, and the Hayling Island branch, which operated from 1867 to 1963, connected the island to the mainland via Havant.