A picturesque, ancient village in the UK’s sunniest place has independent shops and tearooms housed in colourful thatched-roof cottages, with short walks to waterfalls and a stretching coast
This enchanting village is in the UK’s sunniest place – and it’s like stepping into a scene from a storybook(Image: Getty Images)
As we enter a new season, thoughts are drifting to how we spend our days or weekends off, whether that’s a walk under the autumnal sun or a gentle stroll around an idyllic village before stopping at a cosy coffee house. There are ample places to visit for that sought-after retreat, but just a few parts of the UK draw in glistening rays and warming temperatures more than anywhere else, even in autumn.
The south coast of England is where you’ll find the sunniest rays, with Kent, Sussex, Essex and Dorset among the top, with the highest average of daily sunshine hours, according to Met Office data collected between 1991 and 2020. Yet it’s the Isle of Wight that is named the sunniest place in the UK, enjoying more hours of daylight than parts of Italy in winter and 42 per cent more sunshine than other parts of the UK.
The Isle of Wight, England’s largest island, welcomes more than five hours of sunshine every day, on average, which is more than anywhere else in the UK. This makes it a haven to explore in autumn, with the best chance of soaking up some gleaming rays while exploring its fairytale town that will feel as though you’ve stepped into a real-life storybook. After all, it was named one of the UK’s most charming towns, and it’s easily apparent.
On the southern coast of the Isle of Wight is the enchanting seaside resort town of Shanklin, with its beautiful, ancient high street reminiscent of scenes from ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The town is known for its sweeping sandy beaches, majestic waterfalls, classic British seafront, and striking coastal landscapes.
Yet Shanklin Old Village, a small part of Shanklin town, is what truly sets the town apart with its high street lined with independent shops, tea rooms, pubs and eateries housed in pink, green and yellow thatched-roof cottages. Along its winding road, some of the island’s oldest properties feature traditional shopfront signs that feel frozen in time.
While small, it has a handful of shops, including The Little Wight Shop for gifts, The Talk of the Chine for antiques, and the Jingle Bells Christmas Shop, which is open all year round. Adding to the Old Village’s storybook scenes are the quintessential tearooms, including Old Thatch Teashop and Pencil Cottage, where visitors can tuck into a slice of cake and finger sandwiches alongside a warming cuppa.
Serving up local ales in their charming cottages are King Harry’s Bar, The Village Inn and The Crab, with beer gardens to make the most of the autumnal sunshine or snug indoor areas on colder days. Many of the restaurants in Shaklin Old Village are said to serve local produce sourced from the island, with Pendletons and the pubs serving up tasty dishes.
To savour the sunshine with a picnic during the sunnier months or a comforting cup of coffee during the colder season, there are designated patio and garden spaces to enjoy. One visitor was left captivated by the Old Village and posted a TikTok video of a day spent exploring the charming streets.
She wrote: “This village made me feel like I was in Beauty and the Beast. It’s actually the old village inside the town of Shanklin. With its colourful houses and beautiful beaches, it’s definitely a favourite of mine on the Isle of Wight.” Others couldn’t agree more, as one wrote: “My favourite place is Shanklin, it’s beautiful.”
A second comment: “I live here! The most whimsical little high street.” While a third added: “Shanklin is my most favourite village on the island.” Another advised: “Next time you go, try God’s Hill and Winkle Street for picturesque little areas. Beautiful island.”
Away from the Old Village, one of the most beloved and historic attractions on the island is Shanklin Chine. The geological feature, flanked by towering trees, cuts its way from Shanklin Old Village down to the expansive sandy beach and Esplanade found far below.
It first welcomed visitors in 1817, and its waterfall is a particularly striking feature that plunges 45 feet down the cliff’s edge, accompanied by a cascade that trickles 29 feet. Visitors can wander the narrow pathways, streams, and ancient waterfalls before popping into the cherished tea room and gift shop.
On site, there’s also a memorial dedicated to the 40 Royal Marine Commandos who trained in the Chine for the Dieppe landings on D-Day during World War II. There are entrances at the Old Village and Esplanade, making it an ideal, yet relaxed route through Shanklin, with many hailing it as a ‘gorgeous little gorge’.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “A ‘must see’ attraction. This is a stunning natural beauty that has to be seen for itself. If you enter at the beach end, you must expect a great deal of steps as it is extremely vertical. In saying that, you will not be disappointed because everywhere you look is stunning.”
Another said: “The Chine itself is a gorgeous little gorge, beautifully lit after dark. We visited in August and again in October – the Halloween theming was fantastic – and I’d love to see how magical it looks at Christmas. There’s also a welcoming visitor shop at the Shanklin Beach entrance.”
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