Shanklin Beach

Shanklin Beach lies at the southern end of the long sandy arc of Sandown Bay on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, backed by the dramatic cliffs and Victorian esplanade of one of the island's most traditional seaside resorts. The beach itself is fine, golden sand, wide and gently shelving, with the famous Shanklin Chine cutting down through the cliffs above to deliver a wooded waterfall walk that ends near the seafront. The esplanade is lined with beach huts, cafes, and seasonal amusements, and the old village above the cliff offers a quieter, more characterful setting for an evening stroll. At low tide the bay opens up extensively, and the sandy stretch running north towards Sandown is one of the longest uninterrupted dog-friendly sections on the island.

Dogs face a seasonal restriction on the main Shanklin beach from 1 May to 30 September under the Isle of Wight Council PSPO, which was reinstated in January 2025. Year-round access is available on the quieter southern end of the beach, and the long sandy stretch between Shanklin and Sandown further north is dog-friendly throughout the year. Outside the summer season the whole beach is accessible with no restrictions, making it a particularly good destination for autumn and winter visits when the town is quieter and the sand is all your own. Parking is available on the esplanade and in pay and display car parks near the seafront, and there are public toilets open in season.