Shanklin

The old railway line still runs right down to the beach here, though these days it's carrying holidaymakers rather than Victorian day-trippers. Shanklin splits neatly into two halves - the clifftop old village with its thatched cottages, and the seaside new town that sprawled down to meet the golden sands below.

Those sands are properly good, stretching south towards Sandown with hardly a pebble in sight. The Esplanade runs the length of the beach, backed by traditional seaside shops and cafes that haven't changed much since your grandparents' day. Above, Shanklin Chine cuts a dramatic gorge through the soft sandstone cliffs - it's touristy but genuinely lovely, especially when the waterfalls are running after rain.

From the old village, footpaths strike out across Shanklin Down and up to St Boniface Down, the island's highest point at 241 metres. Views from up there take in the entire south coast, with the Needles visible on clear days. St Blasius Church sits in the heart of old Shanklin, worth a look for its Norman origins, while Holy Trinity down in the new town serves the Victorian development.

The surrounding downland feels properly wild despite being so close to town. Luccombe Down and Bonchurch Down roll away to the east, crossed by ancient paths that lead to secluded spots like Bonchurch Pond and through patches of old woodland at Hungerberry Copse.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Shanklin station connects directly to Portsmouth via the island line, and it's just a short hop from Newport. Holiday parks dot the area, with Isle of Wight Coastal Park earning solid reviews from families who appreciate having both countryside walks and beach days on the doorstep.