About Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Shanklin has long been a location for family holidays, with it’s safe sandy, beach and clear waters. The bay is sheltered from the prevailing wind by Dunnose Point, which is a stunning backdrop, with the tall cliffs of Luccombe and St. Boniface Downs beyond. Looking out to The English Channel across the bay, views extend around to the White Cliffs of Culver and Bembridge Downs.
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The coastal resort of Shanklin is located at the south east corner of the Island, at the southernmost tip of Sandown Bay. The town is well served by the railway, which connects to the high speed ferry terminal in Ryde, allowing easy access to the mainland and London. There are also regular services to the Islands principal towns via the buses.
Chestnut Mews is on the edge of Shanklin old Village, offering a tranquil and relaxing base with which to explore the Isle of Wight.
The Cliff Path and Appley Steps leading to Appley Beach, the quieter end of Shanklin’s Beach, takes approximately ten minutes. Or alternatively, you can stroll along a tarmac path, via the Old Village and park (easier for prams and the less agile) which also only takes about ten minutes to get to Shanklin’s main Hope Beach and the esplanade, with its gift shops, coffee shops and amusements. The beaches at Shanklin hold an ‘excellent’ water quality award, ideal for swimming, water sports, sandcastles or just lazing around in the sun.
Less than a five minute walk from the Cottages will bring you to the heart of Shanklin Old Village with its variety of picturesque thatched cottages, tea rooms, gift shops, pubs (with entertainment at night in the summer months), restaurants and the entrance to the historic Shanklin Chine. Shanklin Chine is a natural gorge, hosting many rare species of flora and fauna, the 45ft waterfall and woodlands are illuminated by night, making it well worth a visit. The nearest local newsagents and grocery shop, is about a ten minute walk. Rylstone Gardens is only a few minutes’ walk with its crazy golf, tea room and beautiful gardens, It also has a Band Stand which hosts live music during the summer months. Big Mead Park, is also only a few minutes’ walk and has a lovely Duck Pond, large area to play or picnic and children’s play equipment. Beyond Big Mead is St. Blasius Church dating back to the 12th century. Shanklin Theatre is about a ten minute walk From the Cottages and is open all year round showing a variety of professional and amateur productions.
If water sports are your thing, Wight water adventure water sports, is on Dunroamin beach midway between Shanklin and Sandown, and offers courses, or taster sessions, in surfing, canoeing, and more, from beginners through to advanced.
There are over 500 miles of well-kept footpaths and bridal ways on the Island. From the cottages you can join the Coastal Path which is a circular footpath, (for the keen walker) seventy miles in total, so usually broken into six days of walking! Or the Worsley Trail that will take you from Brighstone Forest back to Shanklin Old Village, at roughly fifteen miles long , leading from pine forest, over chalk downs, through fields and over rivers.
Shanklin carnival week is usually the first week of August. Late August is Shanklin Regatta, with a firework finale which lights up the bay
All of this and much more on our doorstep, and all within walking distance!
About The Isle of Wight
The Island boasts a choice of 8 golf courses (some championship), art studios, Osborne House (Queen Victoria’s favorite retreat), a dinosaur museum, Carisbrooke Castle, The Isle of Wight steam railway in Havenstreet, Roman Villas, a classic boat museum, Botanical Gardens in Ventnor, Tree Climbing, The Needles Old Battery, sailing and our children’s favorite, Amazon World Zoo Park with the very curious Lima’s, Robin Hill Country Park and Blackgang Chine, a child’s dream! This is just a very small selection with many other adventures to be found .
The island has many festivals, village shows, regattas, and of course carnivals that are spectacular. One of the most famous is Cowes week, which has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar since 1826 and is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events. Today it is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Cowes week is usually held on the first full week of August and is climaxed with a grand fireworks display. The last week of August also sees the Cowes Formula 1 Power Boat weekend. The Garlic Festival, also in August has grown to become one of the largest events on the Island each year, second only to Cowes Week. Sampling the famous garlic sausages, garlic beer, and even garlic Ice Cream, you’d be amazed what they can do with garlic! The event also showcases the best of Island produce, plays host to bands, remarkable circus performers and exotic animals, not to mention a huge beer tent and classic car show.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a walking festival which takes place annually on the Isle of Wight, around May spanning two weeks, With more than half of the Island recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 500 miles of well-maintained footpaths , it’s no wonder the Isle of Wight is home to the UK’s largest walking festival. There are over 300 walks, many of which are themed including heritage trails, fossil hunting and even a speed dating walk. The festival culminates in “Walk the Wight” a challenging 26.5 mile walk across the Island in aid of The Earl Mountbatten Hospice. October is The Autumn Walking Weekend, over 60 walks led by friendly and knowledgeable leaders, who will take you on a journey of mystery, and exploration as you traverse the Island’s countryside, woodland, pastures, meadows and footpaths.
In June there is ‘The Festival’ (music festival),The history of this Isle of Wight Festival dates back to August 1968, by 1970 it had grown to attract some of the world’s biggest acts, like Jimi Hendrix and The Who being a couple of the big names. June 2002 saw the return of the great festival after a 32 year absence at a new location of Seaclose Park on the outskirts of Newport. From 2005 onwards the festival has gone from strength to strength with tens of thousands heading across the Solent to enjoy the live acts. A fairly new Festival sees the return of Jack up the Summer, a fancy dress weekend with some original bands from the 80’s and 90’s and more, break out those leg warmers and get ready to dance! this takes place in early August.
During the summer the Isle of Wight bursts in to carnival season so come and join in the carnival celebrations with various children’s, main and illuminated carnivals on offer. Village shows take place through July and August. Every autumn, the heritage of farming practices are kept alive with the annual ploughing match.
The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival is in September and provides cyclists with the opportunity to get off the beaten track and experience some of the Island’s most beautiful and un spoilt countryside. There are a selection of fantastic cycle rides for all levels of ability, whether you are a novice or an experienced cyclist.
Chestnut Mews, and the Isle of Wight, make memories!
Whether its lazy days on the beach, or adventure you crave, the Isle of Wight has it all.