set along the seafront promenade, this down-to-earth, family-run hotel is a minute's walk from shanklin beach along the english channel. complimentary breakfast is served in a laid-back restaurant. check-in time: 1:00 pmcheck-out time: 10:00 am. it's 12 miles from both the nearest ferry terminal and osborne, queen victoria's former residence. other amenities include a bar and a terrace with views of the sea. casual rooms include free wi-fi, flat-screen tvs, and tea and coffeemaking facilities, plus sea or garden views; some add balconies. a 2-bedroom apartment is also available. family rooms sleep up to 4 guests Heathrow Airport 2 hr 46
Isle of Wight Zoo (12 min) Home of ITV's 'Tiger Island', with exotic animals, informative talks and 'meet the animals'. Shanklin Beach (2 min) Scenic recreational beach offering cabanas & boat rentals, with a nearby esplanade of amusements. Carisbrooke Castle (25 min) Fine medieval castle and museum, where Charles I was imprisoned by Cromwell's Roundheads. Amazon World Zoo (12 min) Conservation-minded venue with over 200 species including tropical birds and meerkats. Ventnor Botanic Garden (20 min) An unusually warm climate for Britain allows sub tropical planting in these naturalistic gardens. Spinnaker Tower (1 hr 14) Landmark tower with an on-site cafe and a glass-floored platform overlooking Portsmouth harbour. The Garlic Farm (17 min) Home-grown garlic, plus garlic-inspired products and fare in a specialist farm shop with restaurant. Robin Hill (21 min) Family rides, tractor train, nature trails, falconry and events, plus a woodland tree house. Dinosaur Isle (12 min) Animatronic dinosaurs and 1000 of the island's best fossils in a pterodactyl-shaped building. Brading Roman Villa (13 min) Excavated Roman courtyard villa with well-preserved mosaics and displays of finds from the site. Isle of Wight Steam Railway (22 min) Outfit preserving railway history via exhibits, train stations & rides on steam-powered locomotives. Mary Rose Museum (1 hr 20) Museum for 16th-century Tudor warship, & King Henry VIII's favourite, built in 1510 & sunk in 1545. Shanklin Chine (4 min) Leafy, wooded ravine with waterfalls and abundant wildlife, plus arts heritage centre. Osborne (30 min) Italian-inspired mansion amid lush gardens and filled with Victoria and Albert's former possessions. Blackgang Chine (26 min) Cowboys, pirates, dinosaurs and fairies in themed spaces, along with roller-coasters and rides. |