Things to do in Shanklin: a local guide from The Fig Tree

We have welcomed guests to Shanklin for long enough to know what makes a good day out here. This is our honest local guide to the town and the coast around it, written for the kind of break we love to host: unhurried, with a mix of sea air, gentle walks and a few hours doing nothing much at all. The beach is about a 10 minute walk from our door, and Shanklin Old Village and Shanklin Chine are within walking distance too.

Shanklin Old Village

The Old Village is the older, quieter heart of Shanklin, a short walk from the seafront. It is a picture of thatched cottages along narrow lanes, with tea rooms and pubs tucked between them. It is a fine place to wander in the morning before the day warms up, or to drift back through after a walk along the cliffs. There is no need to plan it. Just turn off the main road and let the lanes lead you.

If you like a slow morning with a pot of tea, this is the part of town for it. We serve breakfast at the hotel from 8am, so you can start with us and stroll down to the Old Village when you are ready. See our rooms if you are still choosing where to stay.

Shanklin Chine

Shanklin Chine is a wooded ravine that cuts down through the cliff to the sea, one of the oldest natural features on the Isle of Wight. A footpath winds down through the trees, past waterfalls and steep mossy sides, and it feels a world away from the esplanade above. It is within walking distance of the hotel, and it is at its best after rain, when the stream runs full.

The Chine is a lovely thing to do on a quiet afternoon, and it is right on our doorstep. Stay with us and you can walk there and back without a car.

The beach and esplanade

Shanklin has a long sandy beach with a level esplanade running along the back of it. The beach is about a 10 minute walk from us, down through the town. Once you are on the esplanade, it is flat and easy, good for a morning stroll or an evening paddle. The cliff lift runs from the top of the cliff down to the esplanade, though it keeps limited hours, so it is worth checking before you set off.

The cliff lift is free for over-65s and Blue Badge holders. If steps are a concern, read our accessible hotel page and ask us about the easiest way down to the sea before you head out.

Clifftop and coastal path walks

Some of the best things to do in Shanklin cost nothing at all. The clifftop path runs right through the town, and you can walk south along the coast towards Luccombe, Bonchurch and Ventnor, or north along the esplanade towards Sandown. The views open out over the Channel, and on a clear day you can see for miles. It is the reason so many walkers choose to stay here.

If walking is the point of your trip, read our walking breaks page. We serve breakfast from 8am, we have free parking, and we can store your luggage for early arrivals and late departures.

Further afield

Shanklin is a good base for seeing more of the Isle of Wight. The Needles, the famous chalk stacks at the island's western tip, are about 45 minutes' drive away. The rest of the island is within easy reach for a day out by car, and there are quieter corners of coast and countryside in every direction if you want to escape the busier spots.

We are happy to talk through day trips at reception. If you are arriving by ferry, our getting here page sets out the routes, and our team can arrange discounted crossings when you book direct.

Rainy-day ideas

The Isle of Wight has its share of grey days, and they need not spoil a break. Shanklin Chine is at its best in the wet, when the waterfalls run. The Old Village pubs and tea rooms are good for a long, slow lunch. There are museums, galleries and indoor attractions across the island if you want to drive a little further, and the coastal path has its own mood in the rain, with the sea rougher and the cliffs more dramatic.

Back at the hotel, our lounge bar opens onto the terrace, and there is coffee and cake on weekdays. It is a good place to wait out a shower. See what else is on through the week on our events page.

Eating out in the evening

We serve breakfast only, so for dinner you will eat out, and that is part of the fun of Shanklin. The Old Village and the seafront have plenty of restaurants, and both are a short walk from the hotel. Reception is happy to recommend somewhere to suit you, whether you want fish by the sea or a quiet pub supper. You can also book afternoon tea with us for the afternoon.