The summer brings out the best that this charming town has to offer.

Overlooked by dramatic sandstone cliffs, Shanklin's long, sandy beach is superb for sunbathing then cooling down with a dip. Dotto trains operate up and down the long esplanade with its small hotels, places to eat and drink, and children's play area. Up in the town, you've the choice of restaurants from Mediterranean to Indian and Thai, a piano bar, cafes and pubs.

In the clean summer air, a cliff-top walk over the Bay gives you spectacular views. For a rest in the shade, Shanklin's beautiful parks and teh peaceful Rylstone Gardens are ideal. Find time to wander through the historic old Village with its thatched cottages and tearooms, and on a hot day be sure to visit the Shanklin Chine, a shaded gorge with rare plants and a waterfall.

And a summer visit to Shanklin wouldn't be complete without taking in the annual Regatta or one of Shanklin's superb carnivals.

The seafront is a real attraction for visitors to the town, with a wealth of eating establishments, pubs and the Shanklin Road Train, which also stops outside our door, providing a regular service through the summer months to the town centre and Old Village. The village is extremely pretty and most tourists head to the area for the thatched cottages, traditional village shops and old fashioned tea rooms.

In the heart of The Old Village are several pubs which are attractive and provide good food and a great venue for a lively evening. To the side of The Crab Inn is the start of Shanklin Chine, a deep gorge, formed by a stream over many thousands of years. With a varied display of plants and a visitor museum, it is the ideal place to spend the morning or afternoon. In the evening the waterfalls and woodland are illuminated, The whole Chine taking on a different perspective.

The shopping in Shanklin can be found in two main streets. The High Street and Regent Street. Here you can find some of the usual high street shops along with others selling a varied range of gifts for friends and family