The Esplanade, Shanklin

Street guide, Isle of Wight

The seafront promenade at Shanklin, running along the base of the cliffs below the town with the beach on one side and a row of hotels, cafes, beach huts and the lift that connects the Esplanade to the clifftop above. Shanklin Esplanade has a more genteel character than Sandown's, with fewer amusement arcades and more tea rooms and traditional seaside establishments. The beach is sandy, sheltered and popular with families. Beach huts line the promenade, and the small Hope Beach sits at the southern end beneath Shanklin Chine. The views along the bay are excellent, and the cliff gardens above add a green backdrop. The Esplanade is at its best on a summer morning, with the sea calm and the Isle of Wight's mild climate at its most pleasant.