Shanklin, a Popular Seaside Resort on the Isle of Wight, England
Shanklin is most probably the most charming and traditional of all the English seaside resorts located in the Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight. The seaside resort is in the southernmost part of the Bay and is a neighbour to the villages of Sandown and Lake.
The magnificently long white sandy beach set against a backdrop of impressive sandstone cliffs, the Chine, a wooded ravine and the old village on top of it, are the town’s main attractions. Of course, there is the esplanade on the beach, the most touristy part of town, which is lined with restaurants and hotels.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Shanklin
Since Shanklin is such a popular seaside resort, places to eat are not difficult to find. Visitors to the area are spoilt for choice with the huge selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes found all around the resort town. Some of these establishments even have nightly entertainment during summer.
With regards to shopping, the town’s main shopping centre is confined to two roads, High Street and Regent Street which constitute what is considered the largest retail area in the south of the Island. Adjacent to Regent Street is the Co-op and Lidl, the town’s two supermarkets. Along Regent Street, there are numerous independent local shops such as clothing and sports shops, arts and crafts shops, and bakeries. At the High Street, on the other hand, there is a preponderance of restaurants and tourists shops.
Things to See and Do in Shanklin
There is more than enough things to do in this seaside resort for visitors of all ages. Not to be missed is the Esplanade with hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes, amusement centres and seaside games that await to be explored. The town also makes available a pleasant mix of the waterfront and open green space with several wonderful gardens and parks around town, two of which are the Rylstone Gardens and the Shanklin Chine.