Short Breaks in Shanklin
Isle of Wight
The Isle Of Wight is an island county of England and can be found in the far south of the country. Separated from the mainland by the Solent strait in the English Channel, it is England's largest island and is famous the world over for the town of Cowes and its sailing regatta known as "Cowes Week". It was also particularly popular in Victorian times, with Queen Victoria spending the summer months at her island retreat - Osborne House, and the poet Tennyson also calling the island home.
The county town is Newport - the island's main shopping centre - although its largest town is the seaside resort of Ryde. Other towns on the island include Shanklin, Ventnor, Fishguard and Sandown. There are also pretty villages such as Brighstone, Whitwell & the village of Godshill - which has its very own model village!
The island has a wealth of natural beauty with chalk downs, fields and woodland. Also being an island, there is an abundance of coastline to discover and this is particularly rich in fossils. One of the most popular coastal attractions is Alum Bay with its multi-coloured sands and, a short distance out to sea, the Needles; a row of three chalk formations and one of the island most famous landmarks.
Other attractions on the Isle Of Wight include the historic Carisbrooke Castle, the adventure park at Robin Hill as well as Blackgang Chine - one of the oldest theme parks in the world. See the lions and tigers at the Isle of Wight Zoo at Yaverland or, in the summer months, take a trip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.