| Shanklin is one of the seaside villages that lies | | | | those visitors who prefer to check out the more |
| along the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight, | | | | unusual, go in search of the tiny holes in the face |
| an island in The Solent, laying not too far off the | | | | of the cliff - the visitor will be amazed to hear |
| south coast of England. Shanklin is known | | | | that, inside these holes, are the homes of wasps. |
| especially for its traditional old thatched cottages | | | | In order to get to the island it is necessary to |
| which can be found in the Old Village along the top | | | | cross the Solent. A number of ferry routes run |
| of Shanklin Chine, a word of Saxon origin that | | | | to the Isle of Wight, from Southampton, |
| refers to a deep, narrow ravine. | | | | Lymington and Portsmouth. This includes ferries |
| The Chine, which is a particularly beautiful gorge, is | | | | that are able to carry vehicles. Particularly fast |
| full of waterfalls and specially laid-out nature trails. | | | | routes are now available via hovercraft or |
| There is also a Visitor's Centre which provides | | | | catamaran. Once you have arrived at Shanklin, |
| information on the island's heritage, including a | | | | you can take a train ride on the Dotto Train that |
| memorial to the Royal Marine Commandoes, a gift | | | | starts at the esplanade, travels to the Old Village |
| shop and a garden where you can get | | | | and then returns to the esplanade, running two or |
| refreshments. The whole area of the Chine | | | | three times an hour. It gets very busy with |
| covers around three acres, dropping to 105 feet | | | | tourists on the Isle of Wight in the summer. |
| from its highest level to the sea. | | | | No visit to the Isle of Wight would be complete |
| The lower entrance to the Chine can be reached | | | | without a visit to Osborne House, the most |
| from the esplanade which runs along the seafront. | | | | beloved of all Queen Victoria's residences, located |
| The Heritage Centre is located at this lower end | | | | at East Cowes. Cowes' Week is a major event in |
| of the Chine, along with both the Tea Rooms and | | | | any sailing calendar and, if you are fascinated by |
| the gift shop. You can also visit the 2009 | | | | small boats, an occasion not to be missed. For the |
| exhibition being held in this location. During the | | | | younger element, the Isle of Wight Festival has |
| summer months Shanklin Chine is illuminated at | | | | proved to be a huge crowd-puller. Beautiful sights |
| night, turning this gorge into a mystical | | | | abound on the Isle of Wight, both around the |
| wonderland. This esplanade itself is bordered by | | | | coastline and inland, a delightful partnership of |
| rows of hotels and restaurants and seafront | | | | seaside and countryside and, regardless of tastes |
| novelty shops whilst the main retail centre for | | | | and interests, there is plenty to keep all visitors to |
| more intense retail therapy can be found in | | | | the island fully occupied. |
| Regent Street and High Street. However, for | | | | |