A beautiful stretch of coastline with golden sands on a tiny island in Britain has been named one of the best beaches in the UK and is perfect for families or those looking for a picturesque stroll
Visitors or day trippers after the traditional British seaside experience will have all their boxes ticked at one stunning resort where the sandy beach stretches for miles. You don’t need to jet off on a plane to enjoy beautiful beaches as here in the UK we’re spoilt for choice up and down the country. One pretty seaside town is home to a stretch of beach that has been named as one of the best and it’s located on a small British island.
The Isle of Wight is just off the south coast of England and it only takes around two hours to reach from London by ferry or hovercraft. There is plenty to do on the island year round thanks to attractions such as the primate rescue centre Monkey Haven, which is home to around 19 species. Sandham Gardens is great for those with young children (and adults) looking for some physical fun with its dinosaur themed golfing adventure and bounce nets and Tapnell Farm Park has animals and indoor and outdoor play as well as being surrounded by stunning views of the island.
Visitors after a quaint seaside day out are spoilt for choice too with a number of beautiful resorts dotted around the coastline. One of these, Shanklin Beach, is located on the south east coast and has been named one of the best in Britain by Rough Guides. It’s one of the best known on the island and backs onto a traditional English promenade.
The beach has a huge stretch of golden sand at the bottom of the steep cliffs, perfect for families with children desperate to build sandcastles or for those who just want to switch off from the world and relax. In colder months it’s the ideal spot for long blustery walks to take in the incredible scenery.
There is a high sea wall and pavement promenade between the sea and the Esplanade which has a large amusement arcade with indoor crazy golf for rainy days, bowling and go-karting. For sunnier days there are pirate and dinosaur themed crazy golf courses – one of which has a waterfall of ‘blood’. There are plenty of seaside cafes and shops selling the usual fare of beach accessories such as inflatable boats and wetsuits.
At the southern end of the Esplanade there’s a host of whitewashed hotels, pubs and restaurants with beach huts lining the sea wall. Walk a little further along and you’ll come to the wonderfully quaint thatched Fisherman’s Cottage Pub. It sits at the foot of Shanklin Chine, which is definitely worth a visit. The mossy gorge has a waterfall at the top with a nature trail, lush vegetation and a visitor’s centre which explains its fascinating World War II history.
To get to the beach you could take a walk through the pretty Old Village with its tea shops and thatched pubs and onto the parkland. From here it’s a steep descent down a pedestrianized road. There is also a bus service and a ticketed car park at the beach.
Recent visitors to the resort have shared their thoughts on Trip Advisor. One wrote: “Shanklin Beach was a hit, especially for families with kids. We visited in the afternoon during low tide, which turned out to be the perfect time. We took a leisurely walk down the beach, enjoying the beautiful sand beneath our feet and the incredible views of the coastline. The scenery is truly breathtaking and provides a picturesque backdrop for a day out.” Another shared: “Went here on a very sunny Saturday. Lovely beach with places to eat and drink. Lot’s of room so finding somewhere to sit wasn’t a problem.” A third said: “We have always loved Shanklin beach for dog walks as you can walk for miles and there are plenty of pubs/cafes nearby.”
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