With its thatched cottages, hidden chine and pink teashops, Shanklin Old Village regularly tops lists of the Isle of Wight’s prettiest places. Yet it is far from the island’s only characterful village. From coastal enclaves like Bembridge and Seaview to inland postcards such as Godshill, each corner of the Isle of Wight offers a different take on seaside England. If you are planning a trip and wondering whether to stay in Shanklin Old Village or try another village instead, this guide compares the experience in detail so you can decide what is better for your style of travel.
Shanklin Old Village at a Glance
Shanklin Old Village sits at the southern end of Shanklin, a classic Victorian resort on Sandown Bay. The Old Village itself is compact, clustered around Church Road and the approach to Shanklin Chine, and is defined by low thatched cottages, flower boxes and stone walls. Its main draws are the atmospheric streets, independent teashops and pubs, and direct access to the wooded ravine of Shanklin Chine and to Shanklin’s sandy beach just below the cliff path.
Unlike some villages that can feel like quick photo stops, Shanklin Old Village works both as a place to wander and as a practical base. Within a few minutes’ walk you have Shanklin rail station, connecting up the Island Line to Ryde, and the bus station where Southern Vectis routes link to Newport, Godshill, Ventnor, Sandown and Ryde at least hourly in most seasons. Typical single fares on mainline routes are around 3 to 4 pounds, with day tickets and rover passes often better value for visitors who plan to hop between villages.
On the ground, the Old Village is anchored by much photographed spots like the pink Old Thatch Teashop, a thatched cottage serving cream teas in a fairy garden, and characterful pubs such as the Crab Inn, which combines exposed beams and open fires with beer garden seating that fills on summer evenings. Around them you will find small gift shops, galleries and guesthouses, many in converted cottages. In high summer the narrow pavements can feel busy, but ducking into Shanklin Chine or Rylstone Gardens quickly restores a sense of calm.
Price wise, Shanklin Old Village typically sits in the mid range for the island. Expect a cream tea to cost roughly 7 to 9 pounds per person and main courses in pubs and bistros to start from around 14 to 18 pounds. Accommodation spans traditional B&Bs from about 90 to 130 pounds per night in peak season for a double, through to self catering cottages and apartments priced higher in late July and August. Book outside school holidays or in spring and autumn shoulder seasons to find noticeably better value.
Atmosphere and Scenery: Chocolate Box vs Coastal Wildness
If your priority is that classic “chocolate box” English village feel, Shanklin Old Village and nearby Godshill are the natural contenders. Both are heavily photographed, marketed as picture perfect and come with masses of hanging baskets and tearooms. Shanklin Old Village has the advantage of feeling more lived in, because it blends into a larger town with a year round community, and because its steep streets spill into the wooded chine and cliff path, giving it more topographical drama.
Godshill, by contrast, is a self contained inland village a short bus ride from Shanklin, famous for its thatched cottages around a curve in the road, its medieval church on the hill above and the Godshill Model Village, which charmingly includes miniatures of both Godshill and Shanklin Old Village. In peak season, coaches and day trippers can make Godshill feel like an open air stage set. Shanklin Old Village gets busy too, but the surrounding town and beach promenade help dissipate the crowds so you can walk ten minutes and be somewhere quieter.
Travelers who prefer rawer coastal scenery may find villages like Bembridge, Seaview or Bonchurch more appealing than Shanklin’s carefully groomed prettiness. Bembridge, at the eastern tip of the island, combines a working harbour, lifeboat station and a network of pebble beaches and rock pools. Seaview looks north over the Solent with views to the Portsmouth skyline and is popular with sailors and second home owners. Bonchurch nestles under high cliffs between Shanklin and Ventnor, wrapped around a lily pond with Victorian villas tumbling down towards the small cove at Monks Bay.
Compared with these, Shanklin Old Village offers something of a middle ground. You get a sandy, family friendly beach at Shanklin and Sandown Bay rather than the rockier, more tidal strands of Bembridge Ledge or St Helens, but the wooded chine and nearby Undercliff Coast towards Ventnor bring a sense of wildness that more manicured resorts lack. If you like to alternate gentle prom walks with short, surprisingly rugged coastal paths, Shanklin’s setting is hard to beat.
Things to See and Do: How Shanklin Compares
Shanklin Old Village scores highly on walkable attractions. The most distinctive is Shanklin Chine, a narrow ravine where a stream cuts through sandstone cliffs, shaded by ferns and woodland. Wooden walkways and steps lead down from the Old Village to the seafront, and in summer evenings the paths are illuminated. Visitors typically spend an hour or so exploring, with modest entry fees that make it an easy addition to a day out. At the top of the chine, Rylstone Gardens offers lawns, crazy golf and live bandstand performances in season.
For classic seaside activities, you simply carry on down to Shanklin’s long sandy beach, lined with a stripped back esplanade of cafes and beach huts. It is especially popular with families because the sand shelves gently and the water is generally calm compared with the island’s wilder west coast. From the Old Village it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk downhill to the sand, or a short drive if you prefer. On a practical level this closeness to the beach, rather than a windswept cliff top, is what often nudges visitors to choose Shanklin over more remote villages.
Other villages on the Isle of Wight excel in different types of activity. Godshill is compact but has the model village, several notable churches and easy access to countryside walks including sections of the Stenbury Trail. Bembridge offers coastal walking out to Bembridge Ledge, birdwatching and sailing, plus the notable RNLI station built on a pier at Lane End. Seaview is all about water sports and relaxed pub gardens overlooking the Solent rather than formal attractions. In West Wight, Yarmouth, though technically a town, has a castle, lengthy pier and strong boating scene, making it a good base if you are focused on sailing or exploring the western coastline.
On a short trip of two or three nights, Shanklin Old Village arguably gives the broadest mix of things to do within walking distance. You can spend a morning in the chine and gardens, an afternoon on the beach and an evening in a thatched inn without needing a car. With more time, you can fold in days out to the other villages by bus or hire car, using Shanklin as a hub. If you are more interested in niche activities, such as serious sailing out of Bembridge or long distance walking in West Wight, one of the specialist villages may be a better fit as a base.
Eating, Drinking and Evening Life
Shanklin Old Village is one of the island’s densest clusters of teashops and traditional pubs. Along Church Road and the adjoining lanes you can graze from late morning to evening. Classic spots like the Old Thatch Teashop serve generous cream teas with scones, jam and clotted cream, often for under 10 pounds per person. Nearby tea gardens and bistros offer ploughman’s lunches, light seafood dishes and homemade cakes on flower decked terraces. Because these venues largely cater to tourists, many close by early evening outside peak season, so check opening hours if you are visiting in spring or autumn.
Pubs in and around the Old Village, from the Crab Inn to smaller coaching inns, do more of the heavy lifting at night. Expect all the pub staples, from fish and chips to steak pies, alongside local ales from breweries on the island and the mainland. A main course and a pint will typically run from 20 to 25 pounds per person once you factor in drinks. If you stroll down towards the beach or along the main town streets you will find a broader choice including Indian and Chinese restaurants, an ice cream parlour on the esplanade and seasonal kiosks selling seafood baskets and chips.
Compare this to Godshill, where the choice skews more firmly towards daytime trade. There, tearooms and cafes line the main street, but evenings are quieter and options are usually limited to a couple of pubs and restaurants. Bembridge has an interesting food scene for its size, including a bakery, fishmongers and several well regarded pubs and cafes, but they are more spread out, and last orders can be early in winter. Seaview’s dining revolves around hotel restaurants, the village pub and summertime pop ups geared to sailors and holidaymakers.
If you like to round off a day of exploring with a choice of dinner venues, an unhurried pub session or a stroll for gelato along the seafront, Shanklin has the edge over most villages. It does not have the nightlife of larger resorts or cities, so do not expect clubs or late night bars, but for relaxed evenings within walking distance of a thatched cottage guesthouse, it hits a comfortable sweet spot.
Practicalities: Transport, Services and Accessibility
One of Shanklin Old Village’s biggest practical advantages is transport. Shanklin rail station sits on the Island Line, with frequent electric trains up the east coast through Lake, Sandown and Brading to Ryde, where ferries and the hovercraft connect to the mainland. For visitors without a car, this makes arrival relatively straightforward, particularly if you are carrying luggage. From the station it is roughly a 10 to 15 minute uphill walk to the Old Village, or a short taxi ride.
The Southern Vectis bus network also converges on Shanklin. Key routes include the 2 and 3, running between Newport, Shanklin and Ryde via villages such as Godshill, Wroxall, Lake and Sandown. On typical timetables these operate up to every 30 minutes in the daytime, linking Shanklin to inland and coastal villages and enabling easy day trips without needing to hire a car. Seasonal services like the Island Coaster and Downs Breezer add scenic circular routes during warmer months, though timetables change annually so it is wise to check close to travel.
By contrast, many of the prettiest villages are less straightforward without private transport. Godshill is well served by the same main bus routes but has no rail connection. Ventnor and Bonchurch rely on hilly roads that can feel slow and winding, with Ventnor linked by only a couple of year round bus services. Bembridge, Seaview, St Helens and small inland hamlets may have hourly or less frequent buses, especially on Sundays and in winter. If you plan to rely on public transport, basing yourself in Shanklin or a larger town such as Ryde or Newport, then visiting quieter villages on day trips, often makes the holiday run more smoothly.
Accessibility is another factor. Shanklin Old Village is compact but undeniably hilly, with narrow pavements and steps down into the chine. Visitors with limited mobility may find the gradients challenging, although the seafront offers flatter strolling and there are accessible buses and taxis. Godshill’s main street is also slightly sloping, but the heart of the village is flatter than Shanklin’s. Bembridge spreads gently across low ground by the harbour, which some travellers with mobility issues may find easier. When booking accommodation, ask specifically about step free access and parking, as many period properties in Shanklin Old Village and elsewhere have narrow staircases and limited on site parking.
Where to Stay: Character vs Quiet
Shanklin Old Village packs a surprising amount of accommodation into its cluster of lanes. You will find small B&Bs with two or three guest rooms in thatched cottages, medium sized guesthouses in Victorian villas and modern apartments tucked behind the main street. In peak season you might pay upwards of 120 to 150 pounds per night for a characterful double room with breakfast in a prime Old Village location, especially if it comes with a garden or sea glimpses. Slightly lower prices are common a few streets back or closer to the beach, where more mid century and modern buildings sit.
Staying in the Old Village means waking up within a few minutes’ walk of tearooms and pubs, and being able to stroll home after dinner without climbing steep hills for more than a few minutes. For some travellers this convenience and atmosphere outweighs the greater traffic of pedestrians outside in the daytime and the occasional noise from nearby pubs in high summer. If you are sensitive to noise, ask for rear facing rooms or seek out properties set just off the main lanes.
Other villages present a different accommodation profile. Godshill has several country inns, self catering cottages and small guesthouses that appeal to those who want evenings to be very quiet once the day trippers leave. Bembridge offers holiday parks, a number of well situated holiday lets and small hotels, some with direct access to beaches or harbour views. Seaview leans towards higher end holiday homes and hotel rooms that can be significantly more expensive in school holidays, particularly those with uninterrupted sea views. West Wight villages like Brighstone and Shalfleet often feature rural cottages with gardens and quick access to walking trails, but fewer pubs and cafes within strolling distance.
If your idea of a perfect stay involves sitting in a pub garden with a pint before rambling back to a thatched B&B, Shanklin Old Village or Godshill will suit you well. If you prize total tranquillity, dark skies and waking to birdsong rather than the hum of a seaside town, then a more remote village or hamlet may be a better fit, with Shanklin visited for a day of chine exploring and cream teas.
Family Trips vs Couples’ Escapes
Families often gravitate towards Shanklin because it blends sandy beaches, child friendly attractions and practical amenities like supermarkets, playgrounds and indoor arcades along the seafront. From the Old Village, you can walk children down through the chine or along the cliff path to the beach, spend the day building sandcastles and paddling, then ride the lift or stroll back up for early evening fish and chips. The compact size makes it easy to regroup if younger kids tire and need a rest.
For older children and teens, the wider Shanklin and Sandown area offers mini golf, amusement arcades, water sports hire and easy bus or train hops to other attractions such as the Isle of Wight Zoo in Sandown or the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Smallbrook Junction and Havenstreet. Many accommodation providers in and around Shanklin are set up for families, offering larger rooms, sofa beds or adjacent rooms in small hotels and B&Bs, and some self catering apartments on the seafront take week long bookings in school holidays.
Couples, meanwhile, often find Shanklin Old Village romantic enough for a short break but not as secluded as tiny coastal enclaves or countryside retreats. A two night stay might see you wandering through the chine at dusk, sharing a cream tea in the cottage gardens and walking the coastal path towards Luccombe or Bonchurch. For a honeymoon or a significant anniversary, some travellers choose boutique options in Bembridge or converted barns and farmhouses in the rural interior, using a hire car to reach secluded coves and viewpoints.
Ultimately, Shanklin Old Village suits mixed interests best. A multigenerational trip with grandparents, parents and children under one roof tends to work well because those who want gentle village pottering can stay near the cottages and teashops, while more active relatives head to the beach or bus off to other parts of the island. For an adults only trip focused on long walks, reading in quiet gardens and minimal interaction with crowds, one of the quieter villages or the West Wight countryside may prove more relaxing.
The Takeaway
So which is better: Shanklin Old Village or the Isle of Wight’s other villages. The answer largely depends on what you want from your time on the island. Shanklin Old Village combines postcard charm with practical advantages. It has thatched cottages and flower decked teashops, a signature natural attraction in Shanklin Chine, a sandy beach within walking distance and some of the island’s best public transport connections. For many first time visitors and those without a car, that blend is hard to beat.
Godshill offers equally photogenic cottages and a quieter, more self contained feel once the coaches have left, making it appealing for those who prefer a slower pace and do not mind being inland. Bembridge, Seaview and coastal villages like Bonchurch pivot the experience more firmly towards the sea, from sailing and rock pooling to walks along wild headlands. West Wight villages tilt towards rural escapism, where coastal paths and farmland outnumber teashops.
If you have a week or more, there is no need to choose a single winner. Base yourself in Shanklin Old Village or a nearby part of town for a few nights to enjoy the chine, beach and evening atmosphere, then move on to a contrasting village such as Bembridge or a West Wight hamlet for a different flavour. If time is short, ask what matters most: if it is convenience, variety and a strong sense of place, Shanklin Old Village is likely your best single base. If it is solitude, wild coastline or sailing, consider one of the island’s other distinct villages instead.
FAQ
Q1. Is Shanklin Old Village a good base without a car. Yes, Shanklin is one of the easiest Isle of Wight villages to enjoy car free, thanks to its rail station on the Island Line and frequent bus routes connecting to Godshill, Ventnor, Sandown, Ryde and Newport.
Q2. How does Shanklin Old Village compare to Godshill for charm. Both have thatched cottages and teashops, but Shanklin feels more embedded in a larger town with a beach and chine, while Godshill is quieter and more self contained, especially in the evenings.
Q3. Which Isle of Wight village is best for beaches. Shanklin is ideal for sandy, family friendly beaches, while Bembridge and Seaview offer quieter shingle and sand coves, and West Wight villages give access to dramatic surf beaches like Compton, though these are less suited to small children.
Q4. Is Shanklin Old Village very crowded in summer. In school holidays the narrow streets can become busy with day trippers, especially around midday, but you can usually find quieter corners in Shanklin Chine, Rylstone Gardens or along the seafront away from the central esplanade.
Q5. Are prices higher in Shanklin Old Village than in other villages. Shanklin Old Village sits in the mid range for the island, with cream teas, pub meals and B&B rooms comparable to Godshill and Bembridge, but often cheaper than prime seaside rooms in Seaview or boutique coastal hotels elsewhere.
Q6. Is Shanklin Old Village suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The Old Village is hilly with some uneven pavements and steps, which can be challenging, but the nearby seafront offers flatter walking and many buses and some accommodation providers are set up with step free access, so advance planning is important.
Q7. How many days should I spend in Shanklin Old Village. Two to three days is enough to enjoy Shanklin Chine, the Old Village and beach at a relaxed pace, while a week allows you to use Shanklin as a base for day trips to Godshill, Bembridge, Ventnor and West Wight.
Q8. Is Shanklin Old Village better for families or couples. Shanklin works well for both, offering sandy beaches and attractions for families and romantic walks and cosy pubs for couples, whereas very quiet villages might appeal more to couples seeking seclusion.
Q9. Can I visit several villages in one day from Shanklin. Yes, with early starts it is realistic to combine Shanklin Old Village with Godshill and either Ventnor or Sandown in a single day using buses, though you may prefer to spread them out to avoid rushing.
Q10. When is the best time of year to visit Shanklin Old Village. Late spring and early autumn often offer the best balance of pleasant weather, open attractions and fewer crowds, while July and August bring peak energy and the warmest beach days but also higher prices and busier streets.