Shanklin, Isle of Wight
The villages along the east coast are most popular with tourists. Shanklin is typical of old England with thatched cottages, rambling roses over the door, quaint shops and tea rooms. Nearby Sandown has an excellent beach and pier. Ventnor retains its Victorian air. Situated at the foot of a very steep hill, the promenade is lined with guest houses and small hotels. Godshill is known for its gardens at the Old Smithy and there is a fascinating miniature village here too.
The west coast of the island is sparsely populated but the famous Needles, which are white chalk columns standing just offshore, and the multicoloured cliffs and sands at Alum Bay are well worth a visit.
One of the most delightful stately homes to visit is Osborne House. The favourite home of Queen Victoria it is still very much as it was during her lifetime. After the death of Albert, she mourned her loss and ordered his rooms to be untouched so they are wonderfully preserved for us to observe today. The gardens have vegetable patches which the young princes and princesses all tended. The other castle of note on the island is Carisbrooke Castle, just outside Newport. Built by Elizabeth I it became the prison of Charles I before he was tried and executed.
The Isle of Wight enjoys mild winters and sunny summers. It has some gorgeous sandy beaches and delightful ‘olde worlde’ villages as well as beautiful cliff top walks to enjoy.
This brings back some lovely childhood memories of vacationing with my family, my Uncle getting hit on the head with a golf ball, canoe races, my Dad dropping a kid in the lake trying to help him into a boat, rounds of crazy golf and the Beatles song Yellow Submarine playing on the radio all day long it seemed.
Good times!
