A Guide To Shanklin For First Timers
04 December 2011
The Isle of Wight is situated in the English Channel 3 miles away from the mainland. The island has been a popular holiday destination since the 19th century with Shanklin being one of the best resorts famed for its sandy beaches. Before the 1820’s there had been no significant development in the area so Shanklin didn’t enjoy many visitors. There was little to see in the village until the main tourist attraction of the area, Shanklin Chine, was not opened. Occasional visitors could find Shanklin accommodation in two inns, the Crab Inn and the Chine Inn, which are now printed on postcards featuring town views. Now the Crab Inn offers travellers to enjoy delicious food with a pint; it’s the place attracting most of tourist traffic during the peak season.
Those who wanted to explore the village in the 19th century were guided by a farmer who lived in Providence Cottage. Now it’s one of the oldest buildings in the Old Village preserved till the present days; it’s believed that Providence Cottage was built in the early 1700’s. Another interesting cottage, Pencil Cottage, is situated in the centre of the Old Village. You can’t find Shanklin accommodation there as the cottage has been turned into a gift shop. But you can stop there to buy souvenirs and enjoy a cup of tea in a tea room behind it.
Now Shanklin is a cosy town with small shops and hotels situated under the roof of former Victorian buildings. The name of the city derived from the word combination ‘a hill and a spring’. People believed that water from the spring could cure diseases so the place was turning into a watering hole. The construction of the railway line added to its popularity – in 1864 a new line from Ryde was opened. In the 1890’s a beautiful pier and a cliff lift were opened; unfortunately, the Great Storm destroyed the pier. Most people book Shanklin accommodation to enjoy sandy beaches and nice bathing areas. Though winter is not the season for aquatic activities, you can still enjoy the beauty of the beach. The seafront can be accessed from the centre by the lift, which links the town with the Esplanade.
When you are in Shanklin, you can’t but enjoy delicious seafood. There are many old thatched pubs in the town, where you can try local specialities and good ale. Restaurants and pubs cater a wide range of dishes and drinks for any taste from traditional English cuisine to exotic Thai dishes. To avoid disappointment if the place is packed, you can pre-book a table.
If you are planning to explore the Isle of Wight in the next few months, you can start with booking Shanklin accommodation on the Internet.
Shanklin Hotel Clarendon Road Shanklin Isle of Wight PO37 6DP
Tel: +44 (0)1983 862286 Fax: +44 (0)1983 865533 Email: info@shanklinhotel.co.uk
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