The UK’s ‘sunniest town’ is a perfect staycation with golden beaches, pretty pubs and unmatched vibes

The UK’s sunniest town is just a stone’s throw from London (Picture: Sophie-May Williams)

‘I feel like I’m abroad,’ my friend said when she visited me on the Isle of Wight this weekend.

We were lounging on the beach, exhausted from the festival that had wrapped the night before, watching paddleboarders glide on the ocean.

Behind us, people sipped Aperol on their balconies in the 27°C heat.

While this particular experience was no doubt helped by the heatwave, Shanklin — the small town I now call home — is consistently named the sunniest place in the UK.

The town frequently tops the Met Office’s national records for sunshine hours, while a localised microclimate exists within Shanklin Chine, a steep sandstone gorge which acts as a natural suntrap.

There’s also the Undercliff effect. Shanklin sits next to Ventnor and its Undercliff area, which famously has its own Mediterranean-like microclimate.

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Without bragging too much, this means I get to bask in 1,976 hours of sunlight per year, compared to the rest of the UK’s average of 1,403 hours.

@wander_aniwhere

Why is no one talking about this fairytale town, that’s only 3 hours from London? 🫢✨ This picturesque town has colourful thatched roofed cottages, an all-year Christmas shop, charming tearooms, a magical waterfall and sandy beaches…Welcome to Shanklin 🏡✨ While most people are flocking to the beach restaurant and relaxing on the beach, we decided to explore the old town, and believe me you won’t regret it.. it’s like its real life fairytale town 🌸 After wandering the Old Town, follow the path down to the famous Shanklin Chine. What’s so special about it you may ask 🤷🏻‍♀️ – well it has a stunning tree-lined gorge with waterfalls, woodland walkways, and magical illuminations after dark 🎟️ £12.95 per Adult tickets and include unlimited returns for 7 days. After exploring, grab lunch or a drink at one of the beachside restaurants overlooking the sea before spending the afternoon on the sandy shoreline 🌊☀️ 🚆 How to get there: Take a train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, hop on the ferry to Ryde, then catch the Island Line train directly to Shanklin ⏳ 3–4 hours depending on connections If you’re looking for a perfect summer day trip, Shanklin deserves a spot on your UK bucket list 💛 📌 Save this for your next England escape! #IsleOfWight #Shanklin #VisitEngland #HiddenGemsUK #DiscoverEngland

♬ suara asli – 𝟑𝟎𝟑 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐧 – Flax

If you can peel yourself off the beach, this quaint seaside town has plenty more to offer, from ancient woodlands, smuggler history, and a chocolate box Old Village lined with traditional pubs and sweet shops.

Plus, being less than three hours from London, it’s the perfect staycation spot for a long weekend away.

Thatched cottages and tea shops

Shanklin’s crowning glory is most definitely the Old Village, tucked away just a short stroll from the seafront.

It’s one of the most photographed corners of the island, thanks to its charming thatched cottages, winding lanes and flower-filled gardens.

Life is slower here, and it really does feel like you’re stepping back in time — in the best way.

The Old Village is like something from a postcard (Picture: Getty Images)

In summer, stop for a cold, crisp pint at The Village Inn, a traditional pub with a beer garden that gives Secret Garden vibes.

Dine on locally caught crab and lobster, too.

If you’re a fan of the quintessential British seaside experience, beeline for The Rock Shop, where you’ll find everything from handmade rock, fudge, chocolates and pick ‘n’ mix favourites.

There’s also a sweet selection of tea shops, where you can while away the afternoon with a coffee and a scone.

The order in which you apply the jam and clotted cream is up to you.

Shanklin Chine

Step back further in time at Shanklin Chine, the island’s oldest tourist attraction that sits between the Old Village and Fisherman’s Beach (my favourite end of the seafront).

This wooded coastal ravine boasts waterfalls, trees and lush vegetation, with footpaths, walkways, and viewpoints to boot.

Fisherman’s Beach offers perfect swimming conditions and chilled-out vibes (Picture: Sophie-May Williams)

In 1813, Jane Austen took a trip here. Six years later, Keats found inspiration for some of his poetry while staying in Shanklin, and referred to the Chine as ‘wondrous.’

Entry for adults is £12.95 per person. For kids, it’s £9.95.

My advice? Grab another refreshment at The Chine Inn (make sure to try the Isle of Wight lager) and take in the views from there.

Perched directly above the dramatic gorge, the 400-year-old Inn was a favourite smugglers’ haunt — legend has it that hidden tunnels once connected the pub to the Old Village.

Today, the new owners have fashioned a circular glass window inside the pub that looks directly down to one of these tunnels.

Parts of Shanklin feel like you’re abroad (Picture: Sophie-May Williams)

Life’s a beach

Growing up in Yorkshire, it was more about sprawling countryside than coastal beauty. And while I still love spending time in ‘God’s Own Country,’ I’ve since got the beach bug.

Thanks to Shanklin, I could never imagine not living by the sea.

Which end of the beach you set up on depends on what kind of experience you want.

If you’re sans kids and looking for a relaxing affair, head to Fisherman’s, directly below The Chine. From the coastal path, you can reach it by walking past The Chine Inn and down a short, winding hill.

Here, you’ll find a quieter part of the beach, complete with old fishing boats and an imposing cliff face.

And relax… (Picture: Sophie-May Williams)

After a morning of swimming and sunbathing, grab lunch at the aptly named Fisherman’s Cottage — the island’s only pub directly on the beach.

To chase the sun, walk further down the esplanade to Clock Tower Beach, a family-run business that offers parasols, sunloungers, and exceptional vibes.

For the water babies amongst us, hire kayaks (£10 per hour) and paddleboards (£15 per hour) and lean into the island way of life.

You won’t regret it.

How to get to Shanklin

From London, take the train from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour. The journey takes around 1 hour and 48 minutes, and on average, costs between £12 and £20.

From there, hop on the Wightlink Ferry to Ryde. The ferry terminal is located in Portsmouth Harbour station, and there are signs to direct you.

The FastCat takes 20 minutes, with a one-way ticket costing £23.10.

Once in Ryde, take the Island Line train from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. The journey is just under half an hour, and a Standard ticket costs £4.90.

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