A travel enthusiast has praised the unique and picturesque town as looking straight out of a fairytale with its colourful thatched cottages and an all-year Christmas shop
The town has been praised by its cute and colourful old cottages (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
While we all love our home comforts, sometimes it’s nice to get away and discover somewhere new. And this picturesque town might be the perfect destination for a spring getaway.
With a plethora of travel options available to reach other countries or destinations within the UK, deciding where to go can be a challenge. However, one travel enthusiast named Dani, from London, has recently sung the praises of a charming UK town that looks almost as if it’s out of the pages of a fairytale.
Dani frequently shares her favourite hidden gems discovered during her UK travels with her 13,100 followers on Instagram, where she goes by the handle ‘dani.inlondon’. One of her latest travel spots seemed as if it had leapt right off the pages of a storybook.
“Fairytale cottages, an all-year Christmas shop, and a place that feels straight out of Beauty and the Beast… this is Shanklin,” Dani wrote at the beginning of the caption for her video post about the town on the Isle of Wight.
In the video, Dani can be seen meandering through the quaint, winding streets of the town, which are lined with old, yet vibrant cottages boasting thatched roofs making up most of the high street, including the Christmas shop she mentioned.
There are also numerous routes to explore, with some leading down to the sea, while others take you to cafes and restaurants where you can savour a meal while admiring the stunning landscape.
“You’ve got the beach just down the road, the famous Shanklin Chine to explore, and so many little spots to stop for coffee or cream tea along the way,” Dani elaborated.
She continued: “If you’re looking for the perfect spring getaway that feels a bit different, this is definitely one to add to your list.”
And Dani wasn’t alone in her sentiment, as the comment section of the video quickly filled with users expressing their surprise and delight about the Isle of Wight town.
“What a cute place,” one person wrote, while another remarked: “Aww this place is so gorgeous, absolutely beautiful.”
A third person said: “Ohh such a cute place, looks amazing.”
How to get to Shanklin
If you’re keen to visit this enchanting town, there are several ways to reach it. You could opt for a drive down to Portsmouth Harbour, followed by a 20-minute ferry ride to the Isle of Wight. Upon arrival at Ryde Pier Head, simply continue the 20-minute drive down to Shanklin.
If driving isn’t your prefered mode of transport, you can also catch a train directly to Portsmouth Harbour. This makes it easy for you to access the ferry, which will be included in the train fare if you book your journey directly to Shanklin.
Upon reaching Ryde, simply make your way to the train station for the final part of your trip, a 22-minute train ride to Shanklin.