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Shanklin

Shanklin photos (84 available)

Old photo of Shanklin

Shanklin maps (2 available)

Old map of Shanklin

Shanklin books (1 available)

Shanklin memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Isle Of Wight below.

Isle Of Wight memories

Summer Holidays

Sandown, the Beach c1950

Many of my childhood summer holidays were spent at Sandown.  We usually stayed at Mrs. Woodnutt's hotel in Carter Street.  Mr. Woodnutt hired out the deck chairs on Sandown Beach.  He also kept ferrets and I was allowed to go and help him look after them.  One of our family's favourite places was the miniature golf course pictured.  It was called Brown's as was the canoe lake next door.  Browns made the most delicious ice cream, very welcome after following the grown-ups around the pitch and putt course. Oh the joy when I was deemed old enough to have a putter, ball and score card of my own!
A memory of Sandown contributed by Eileen Hammond

Grandmother's abode

Wroxall, High Street c1955

At the bottom of the hill on the right I believe that tall building belonged to the local bakers. The low building next to it - this side of the bakers - is a thatched cottage where my grandmother lived. My mother grew up here. The cottage housed around 3/4 families but it has now been made into one home. Over the years the thatched cottage has also been a restaurant. I visited my grandparents many times at this cottage.
A memory of Wroxall contributed by M Allen

Ventnor

Ventnor, Esplanade 1892

I was born in Ventnor and although I have lived in Kent for many years Ventnor will always be "My home".
A memory of Ventnor contributed by valerie hickman

Grandad's war days and our family hols

My grandfather was stationed on the island "During the War"and was very friendly with a family from Arreton called Hendy. The mother's name was Lil and the father was affectionally called"Tit" (because he was quite small). After the war, my gramps and all the family visited Aunt Lil and Uncle Tit quite frequently. Tit grew his own veg in a back garden, I remember picking pea swads for him when I visited. They had a daughter called Ena (can't remember her husband's name) and a grandson called Ralph. Ralph, my mum said, worked for a garage somewhere in Sandown when he got older. The last address I have for Ena is at Arreton, near Newport, I.O.W. They were always very friendly ...read more here
A memory of Arreton contributed by joanne fisk

Extracts From Shanklin & Isle Of Wight books

Shanklin, from Lift Steps 1892

The yacht is passing by the north side of the Broad, with 1930s bungalows along the frontage. The yacht is typical of those developed since the 1930s for use on the Broads. The three men are tightening up the burgee. The two girls are wearing knitted hats, an essential part of post-war dress. Oulton was another of the series of medieval broads stretching northward into Norfolk. Here are three yachts typical of the period, as there was then little difference between those used on the sea or the Broads. However, it seems that one is stuck with its keel in the mud. The man in the rowing boat appears to be getting ready to pull the yacht off.
An extract from from"East Anglia".

Shanklin, the Beach 1893

Safe bathing brought thousands of early visitors to Shanklin, as we can see from the profusion of bathing huts and tents. Many of the boats in the foreground would have been for hire. Victorian holidaymakers of some competence were encouraged to explore the coastline of Shanklin Bay by boat.
An extract from from"Isle of Wight Photographic Memories Pocket Album".

Shanklin, the Village 1896

At the inland end of Shanklin Chine is the old village, a delightful array of thatched cottages, with honeysuckle and roses around the door. The place is as attractive today as it was in this old photograph. A newer Shanklin grew up along the seashore to cater for the demands of both visitors and those who came to settle. The pier, seen here on the left, was described by one Victorian tourist as ‘a pretentious structure, a little out of keeping with the tone of the place’.
An extract from from"Isle of Wight Photographic Memories Pocket Album".

Shanklin, Beach 1918

Two poets who admired Shanklin were Longfellow and Keats. The latter write his poem ‘Lamia’ here, while Longfellow wrote a verse in praise of the ferruginous spring which issues out of the Chine, whose waters health-conscious visitors came to sample. Stagecoaches, remnants of a bygone age even in 1913, take tourists on local excursions. Notice the man with the stepladder, evidently used to enable passengers to ascend to the top of the coach. Nearby a photographer struggles with his camera.
An extract from from"Isle of Wight Photographic Memories Pocket Album".

Shanklin, Appley Cliffs Bathing Tents 1918

A good bathing day beneath Appley Cliffs, which give shelter to Shanklin’s southern beaches. A very steep climb leads up the cliffs above the line of bathing tents. When the tide is out it is possible to walk a long way along the shoreline.
An extract from from"Isle of Wight Photographic Memories Pocket Album".