Shanklin

Golden sand stretches for miles here, backed by dramatic red cliffs that glow at sunset. This Victorian seaside town hasn't lost its old-world charm, though it's definitely livelier than some of the island's quieter corners.

Shanklin Chine is the real showstopper - a narrow gorge cutting through the cliffs where you can walk beneath towering trees and waterfalls. It's touristy but properly atmospheric, especially in autumn when the leaves turn. The beach itself is ace for families, with decent facilities and that lovely stretch of sand that goes on forever.

Up on the clifftop, the old village has a different character entirely. Thatched cottages line the lanes, and you'll find proper village pubs alongside tea rooms that haven't changed much since the 1950s. Rylstone Gardens offers crazy golf with cracking views over the bay - though it gets packed on sunny weekends.

The Isle of Wight Coast Path runs right through here, linking Shanklin to neighbouring Sandown. It's an easy walk along the clifftops with those red sandstone formations providing drama at every turn. Hope Beach, just south of the main strand, is quieter if you fancy escaping the crowds.

Getting here means the ferry to Portsmouth or Southampton, then a straightforward drive south. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense - you're close enough for evening strolls along Shanklin Seafront but far enough out to enjoy the island's gentler pace. Isle of Wight Coastal Park gets solid reviews and puts you within easy reach of both the town and the island's inland attractions.