Many say The Isle of Wight transcends the living. Shanklin seems to be a charming town that checks all the boxes for a family vacation that involves getting sand on the clothes. It has a long stretch of golden sandy shore surrounded by a boardwalk on the upper edge of the waterfront that is lined with seafood eateries, fantastic golf resorts, arcade games, and ice cream stalls. But Shanklin is much more than simply a beach town, as visitors to the town will find out. This coastal valley is covered in exotic mosses and plants and has drawn famous Georgian visitors, including John Keats and Jane Austen.
The historic Shanklin town looks like something out of a gift box featuring rustic homes and tiny handmade goods stores. So let's peek at what this quaint town on the Isle of Wight offers visitors apart from one of the beautiful beaches of England.
Places Worth Checking Out In Shanklin
The Shanklin Beach
The Isle of Wight is famous for its beaches, and one of them is here. Shanklin Beach boasts a mile of golden, smooth sand, being among the finest beaches on the Isle. There are a lot of shallow areas for smaller surfers to splash around in because the beach slopes gently towards the ocean. Behind them is a high shoreline with a boardwalk on top, complete with all the amenities visitors might want for an exciting or peaceful day. Moving southwards, visitors can see a pretty line of colored beach cottages where everything becomes a little calmer.
The Shanklin Cline
For over two centuries, Shanklin Chine has been a tourist magnet. It is a seaside valley that cuts through the floppy sandstone rocks.
There is a historical facility offering information on the natural and cultural past of the ravine, in addition to trails and bridges carved out of the ravine's slopes for finer glimpses of the lush foliage and rapids.
The 400-meter-long chine, featuring a 32-meter plunge, hasn't changed significantly. Visitors can travel at night during the summer months to Chine Lumiere, where magical illuminations highlight the walkways, waterfalls, and lush gorge sides.
The Shanklin Old Village
In the quaint Old Village, which is home to several of the Isle's earliest homes, on the way to Shanklin Chine, visitors will have a glimpse of Shanklin before tourists arrive.
The ancient village is filled with thatched homes, snug taverns, tearooms, and eateries. A cute small mews boasting six art galleries and a store that sells giftable souvenirs is located up the alley next to the Village Inn tavern. The Vernon Chalet Gift Shop, also serving as Shanklin's visitor center, is located in the heart of the Old Town.
The Rylstone Gardens
A gorgeous park located atop the rock at the southern edge of Shanklin Beach and is also a part of the Rylstone Mansion estate.
When people visit Rylstone Gardens, they could play a game of pitching and short par golf and then relax in the teahouse while enjoying a protected view of the golf resort. An alfresco platform in the park hosts midday and evening performances throughout the summer.
The Pirates Cove & Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf
The two crazy golf resorts in Shanklin are created with great ingenuity and precision and are a favorite among families.
The Pirates Bay Entertainment Park has all the newest outdoor entertainment trends, including bumper rafts, trampolines, swing sets, zorbing balls, and small go-karts. A model, pirate vessel, fountains, a grotto, coconut palms, and other landscaping features decorate the circuit with a pirate motif. The Jurassic Beach range is set amid tropical flora and has realistic dinosaurs figurines.
The Devil's Chimney
In Undercliff, which is fairly close to Shanklin, there is a peculiar natural feature. Visitors could climb down to the Bonchurch Landslips by navigating a steep and extremely narrow crack in the higher rock. Although the walk is short, it is on a steep hill and is occasionally damp, so people may want to wear sturdy shoes.
There is a legend that pirates previously hauled cargo from the ocean via this passage to the sea. Well, after an exhausting trek back up the slope, visitors can rest in Smugglers Cove Tea Gardens at the trail's summit.
Lodging In Shanklin
Channel View Hotel
The Channel View Hotel provides lodging with a tavern, a communal lounge, complimentary parking, and dining. This three-star hotel provides complimentary internet access, concierge services, and a baggage locker. Reception service and an infinity pool are also available.
Every room comes with a television, a closet, and an ensuite bathroom. Some of the accommodations at the hotel also have ocean views. The lodging offers a variety of breakfast selections each morning, including transatlantic, Irish, and Full English.
Luccombe Manor Hotel
The Luccombe Manor Hotel provides accommodations with private bathrooms and expansive overlooks of Shanklin Beach.
There are several leisure amenities available to visitors, such as a thermal spa bath and outdoor hot pool.
The restaurant, featuring French doors looking out onto the lawns, is where breakfast is offered. High tea and refreshments are also offered seasonally.
Medehamstede Hotel
The Medehamstede Hotel has limited complimentary parking and is surrounded by well-maintained lawns. The hotel's rooms have a television, a beverage maker, and a private bathroom.
The dining has a substantial, diverse menu and could accommodate vegans or vegetarians. The pub area has various leisure activities, including bingo and classic pub trivia.
Visitors can enjoy a pleasant breath of fresh air from the big metropolis in the picturesque small village of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. It is undoubtedly a location that every traveler should visit.