Shanklin
A genteel seaside resort built around a dramatic coastal ravine, with thatched cottages in the Old Village and a sweeping sandy beach below the cliffs.
Shanklin lies at the southern end of Sandown Bay, climbing from a fine sandy beach up through cliff gardens and the famous Chine to the Old Village and the town centre above. It has traditionally attracted a slightly different visitor from its neighbour Sandown, with a more genteel, quieter atmosphere that reflects the influence of the Victorian and Edwardian writers and artists who were drawn to the picturesque ravine and the thatched cottages of the old settlement.
Shanklin Chine is the town's most celebrated feature. This deep, narrow ravine cuts through the soft sandstone cliffs from the upper town to the beach, and has been a tourist attraction since the late 18th century. The Chine is approximately 180 feet deep and heavily wooded, with ferns, mosses, and wildflowers clinging to the damp rock walls. A path descends through the gorge past a waterfall, and the atmosphere within is cool and shaded even on the hottest summer days. The Chine has a historical footnote from the Second World War: PLUTO (Pipe-Line Under The Ocean) ran from here across the Channel to supply fuel to the Allied forces after D-Day. A memorial and small exhibition at the Chine commemorate this achievement.
The Old Village, at the top of the Chine, is one of the most photographed spots on the Isle of Wight. Its thatched stone cottages, many of which now house tea rooms, gift shops, and restaurants, cluster around narrow lanes that have changed remarkably little in outward appearance over the past two centuries. The Crab Inn, a thatched pub at the heart of the Old Village, claims origins in the 17th century and remains a popular refreshment stop. John Keats stayed in Shanklin in 1819 and is believed to have worked on his narrative poem Lamia during his visit; a plaque on the Old Village commemorates his stay.
The beach at Shanklin is an extension of the same long sandy stretch that serves Sandown, and is reached either through the Chine (for a fee) or via the cliff lift or the zigzag path. The Esplanade runs along the base of the cliffs, with a row of beach huts, cafes, and the usual seaside facilities. The cliff lift, a funicular railway that has operated since Victorian times, provides a quick link between the beach and the clifftop, and the ride itself offers views along the bay.
Shanklin town centre, set back from the cliffs, is centred on Regent Street and the surrounding shopping streets. The range of shops is modest but adequate, with a mix of independent traders and essential services. The town has several hotels and guest houses that date from its Victorian heyday, some of which retain period features. The Theatre, which hosts summer shows and year-round events, continues a tradition of seaside entertainment that stretches back well over a century.
The cliff gardens between the upper town and the beach are a distinctive feature of Shanklin. These landscaped grounds, laid out on the steep slope, contain subtropical planting that thrives in the sheltered, south-facing aspect. Paths wind down through the gardens, providing resting points with benches and views over the bay. The gardens are well maintained and offer a peaceful alternative to the busier beach below.
Shanklin railway station is the southern terminus of the Island Line, which runs north through Sandown and Brading to Ryde Pier Head. The line uses former London Underground trains, a curiosity that has made the service something of a tourist attraction. The station sits at the top of town, a short walk from the Old Village and the Chine.
Rylstone Gardens, a public park near the clifftop, provides a green space with well-tended flower beds, a bandstand, and views out to sea. Summer concerts and events are held here, and the gardens are a popular spot for a quiet sit-down away from the beach. Nearby, the Shanklin Manor house (now converted to other uses) recalls the settlement's medieval origins.
The coastal path south from Shanklin climbs over Luccombe and Bonchurch to Ventnor, passing through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the island. The Landslip, a wooded undercliff formed by ancient landslides, creates a sheltered, almost subtropical corridor between the main cliff and the sea. This section of the coastal path is one of the finest walks on the Isle of Wight, with rare plants and abundant birdlife in the tangled woodland.
Shanklin's residential areas extend inland towards Lake (which forms the boundary with Sandown) and south towards Luccombe. The population swells considerably during summer, and the town's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, though there is a year-round community of retired residents and families. The town has primary schools, a medical centre, churches, and the community facilities expected of a settlement of its size.
The character of Shanklin is one of restrained seaside charm. The Chine, the thatched Old Village, the cliff gardens, and the clean sandy beach combine to create a resort that feels slightly old-fashioned in the best possible way. It is a town that rewards a slower pace, where the pleasure lies in a walk through the ravine, an afternoon on the sand, and a cream tea in a thatched cottage.
Highlights
- Shanklin Chine, a 180-foot deep wooded ravine with waterfall
- Thatched Old Village with tea rooms and the Crab Inn
- Cliff lift funicular railway between town and beach