Shanklin Chine and Old Village
2 miles · Easy
This short walk explores the most atmospheric corner of Shanklin, taking in the deep natural gorge of the chine, the thatched cottages of the Old Village and the clifftop gardens that connect the two. At just two miles it is more of a stroll than a hike, but it packs a remarkable amount of character and natural beauty into its short distance and is ideal for a morning or afternoon excursion.
Shanklin Chine is a deep, narrow ravine cut into the soft sandstone cliff by a stream that drops from the downs to the sea. The gorge is about 200 feet deep and densely wooded, with ferns, mosses and ivy covering every surface. A maintained path with steps and boardwalks winds through the chine from the esplanade at the bottom to the Old Village at the top, following the course of the stream past a succession of small waterfalls. After heavy rain, the main waterfall at the heart of the chine is an impressive sight, the water crashing down the rock face and sending spray across the path.
The chine has been a tourist attraction since the early nineteenth century, when Shanklin first developed as a seaside resort. Keats visited in 1819 and wrote part of Otho the Great while staying in the village. Longfellow, Darwin and other notable figures followed, drawn by the natural beauty of the gorge and the mild climate. During the Second World War, the chine was used to conceal PLUTO, the Pipeline Under The Ocean that carried fuel from the island to the Normandy beaches after D-Day. A small exhibition about PLUTO can be found near the entrance.
Emerging from the top of the chine, the path enters the Old Village. This cluster of thatched cottages, tea rooms and craft shops is the original settlement from which modern Shanklin developed. The cottages date from various periods but the overall effect is one of deliberate picturesque charm, and the area draws a steady stream of visitors. The Crab Inn, one of the oldest buildings, is a popular pub with a garden. Several tea rooms compete for the traditional cream tea trade.
The walk continues through the Old Village and along the clifftop, where public gardens provide benches and viewpoints overlooking the sea and the sweep of Sandown Bay. The views from here are excellent, particularly looking north towards Culver Cliff and south along the coast towards Ventnor. The gardens are well maintained, with flower beds, lawns and ornamental trees.
From the clifftop gardens, the route descends back to the esplanade via the cliff path or the lift, which operates during the summer season. The lift is a practical convenience rather than an attraction, carrying passengers between the clifftop and the seafront in a few seconds.
Back on the esplanade, the beach stretches away to the north, and the cafes and shops of the seafront provide ample opportunity for refreshment. The total walk takes about an hour, plus whatever time is spent in the chine, the Old Village and the gardens. There is an admission charge for the chine, which is privately operated.
This walk is suitable for almost everyone. The paths are well maintained, the gradients are gentle apart from the steps in the chine, and there is something to see and do at every point. It captures the essence of Shanklin, the combination of natural drama and Victorian seaside charm that has drawn visitors here for two hundred years.
Shanklin Chine is illuminated on summer evenings, and walking through the gorge after dark, with the trees lit in green and blue and the waterfall spotlit, is a different experience entirely. Evening visits are worth considering if you are staying locally.
Highlights
- Shanklin Chine waterfall
- PLUTO pipeline exhibition
- Old Village thatched cottages
- Clifftop gardens and sea views
- Keats literary connection