Shanklin has been named the South of England’s Beach of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times‘ annual guide to the UK’s best beaches, with Compton Bay also securing a place in the prestigious top 50.
The accolade comes in the 18th edition of The Times and The Sunday Times 50 Best UK Beaches guide, which saw chief travel writer Chris Haslam inspect hundreds of beaches across the country over a 5-week, 4,307-mile tour.
Shanklin topped the South of England category, with Compton Bay also recognised among the region’s finest beaches. The Isle of Wight features for the first time after the guide expanded beyond mainland Britain to include the Island, alongside the Outer Hebrides and the Isles of Scilly.
Describing Shanklin, Chris Haslam praised its enduring charm, saying:
“It’s an hour on the ferry from Southampton to West Cowes and 20 minutes from there to Shanklin. If you enjoy such whimsy you’ll love it here: a former fishing hamlet in fairytale valley that caught the eye of the picturesque movement in the early 19th century.
“Two centuries later Shanklin still has the magic, with striped deckchairs on the sands, guesthouses on the prom and a footpath up the forested Shanklin Chine to the Old Village: described by the poet William Longfellow in 1868 as ‘one of the quaintest and loveliest places in the kingdom.’ That’s still true.”
The annual guide is based on personal inspections of every featured beach within the previous 8 weeks, with locations assessed against a 12-point checklist covering cleanliness, accessibility, parking, lifeguard provision, facilities, dog-friendliness and water quality.
A new category recognising community engagement has also been introduced this year, highlighting the role local communities play in making beaches attractive destinations throughout the year.
The South of England’s beaches featured in this year’s guide are:
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight – South of England’s Beach of the Year
- Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
- Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex
- Dungeness, Kent
- Botany Bay, Kent
Chris Haslam said he had “never seen our seaside look more beautiful” after completing his annual tour of Britain’s coastline, encouraging holidaymakers to make the most of the UK’s beaches during what is shaping up to be a memorable summer.
