News
Pictures from Royal Haslar Summer Open Day – Saturday 6th June 2026
10th June 2026
Back by popular demand the first Haslar Open Day of 2026 took place on 6th June. The weather may not have been kind, but those who braved the unseasonal conditions found a warm welcome and lots to explore.
Shore Leave Haslar welcomed visitors to the Memorial Garden, where the chance to browse gifts, produce and cards in the dry was much appreciated. Haslar Heritage were ready to welcome visitors to St Luke’s Chapel and talk heritage and history, while Hub4Stuff opened up their cavernous store ready to show people what they offered and talk to visitors about their work and life at Royal Haslar – visitors included a local radio team, keen to do an ‘outside’ broadcast in the dry of the stores.
Coffee Quarters saw a steady stream of guests coming in for hot drinks, who were then invariably tempted by the mouth-watering cakes on display – we can personally vouch for the carrot cake!
New attractions included an expanded craft fair, with hand-turned wooden bowels and spoons, stylish handbags and a range of contemporary collectables.
The surge in progress with signs of works across the 62 acre site was clearly visible, starting at the main entrance where a swath of the perimeter wall has been removed, ready for further development. Works to the three new builds at Solent View are progressing well, in addition to the conversion of the historic buildings - with the rooves soon to start emerging above the walls by the Airing Grounds.
Numbers attending the Open Day were around 400, quite a drop from the last 2025 Open Day, driven in the main by the weather. However, this meant that those attending saw a shorter queue at Coffee Quarters, and obtained a greater sense of what it would be like to live here, with some taking the opportunity to sit down one-two-one with sales staff in quieter moments.
The next Haslar Open Day will take place late Summer.