England is home to some of the most picturesque and charming villages, but there’s one that might outshine even the likes of those nestled in the Cotswolds. Visitors have even compared it to scenes from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with its charming high street and ancient waterfall.

Shanklin, a seaside resort town on the Isle of Wight, is renowned for its expansive sandy beaches, traditional British seafront, and dramatic coastal landscapes. Shanklin Old Village is a small part of Shanklin on England’s largest island and truly compares to scenes straight from a fairytale. It boasts colourful thatched-roof cottages in pink, green and yellow, in some of the oldest houses on the island.

Independent businesses, including gift shops, tea rooms, pubs, and restaurants with old-fashioned signs, thrive in the stunning thatched buildings of this idyllic village. A stroll around here is enough to transport you back in time.

Elsewhere, there are dedicated patio and garden areas for visitors to enjoy a picnic during the warmer months or a warming cup of coffee during the winter. One traveller was left mesmerised by the Old Village and shared a TikTok video of her day spent wandering around the delightful streets.

She wrote: “This village made me feel like I was in Beauty and the Beast. It’s actually the old village inside the town of Shanklin. With its colourful houses and beautiful beaches, it’s definitely a favourite of mine on the Isle of Wight.”

Others couldn’t agree more, as one wrote: “My favourite place is Shanklin, it’s beautiful.” A second comment: “I live here! The most whimsical little high street.”

While a third added: “Shanklin is my most favourite village on the island.” Another advised: “Next time you go, try gods Hill and Winkle Street for picturesque little areas. Beautiful island.”

However, one of the most popular and oldest attractions on the island is Shanklin Chine. The geological feature, lined with towering trees, carves its way from Shanklin Old Village down to the sprawling sand beach and Esplanade found far below.

It first opened to the public in 1817, and its waterfall is a particularly special feature that falls 45 feet down the cliff’s edge, accompanied by a cascade that trickles 29 feet. Visitors can follow the narrow paths, streams, and ancient waterfalls before stopping by the beloved tea room and gift shop.

On site, there’s also a monument dedicated to the 40 Royal Marine Commandos who trained in the Chine for the Dieppe landings on D-Day during World War II. There are entrances at the Old Village and Esplanade, making it a perfect, yet leisurely route through Shanklin, with many praising it as a ‘gorgeous little gorge’.

One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor: “A ‘must see’ attraction. This is a stunning natural beauty that has to be seen for itself. If you enter at the beach end, you must expect a great deal of steps as it is extremely vertical. In saying that, you will not be disappointed because everywhere you look is stunning.”

Another said: “The Chine itself is a gorgeous little gorge, beautifully lit after dark. We visited in August and again in October — the Halloween theming was fantastic — and I’d love to see how magical it looks at Christmas. There’s also a welcoming visitor shop at the Shanklin Beach entrance.”