Shanklin

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National Gazetteer (1868) - Shanklin

"SHANKLIN, a parish and post town in the liberty of East Medina, Isle of Wight, county Hants, 8½ miles S.E. of Newport, and 4 N. of Ventnor. It is a station on the Isle of Wight railway. The village is situated on Sandown Bay, sheltered by lofty downs, which nearly enclose it on two sides. It is mentioned in Domesday Survey as held by Gosselin Fitz-Azor. It is a coastguard station and bathing-place greatly resorted to during the summer season. In the vicinity is Shanklin Chine, a gigantic chasm in the lofty cliffs, extending down to the shore 90 feet in depth, partially overgrown with trees, shrubs, and brushwood, and refreshed by a mineral spring which falls through it. The neighbourhood abounds with attractive scenery, especially on the way to Boniface Down.

This parish originally formed part of that of Brading, but was separated in the reign of Stephen, when the church was founded by Geoffrey de L'Isle. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Winchester. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a cruciform structure of the 12th century, with the exception of the two transepts, which were erected in 1859 at the expense of the vicar. The interior contains an oak chest, curiously carved with a Latin inscription, dated 1512, also a piscina and several monuments to the Hill and Popham families. There is a National school for both sexes. The Independents and Bible Christians have each a place of worship."