Shanklin   Contents

Mason's Guide 1876 - Shanklin

"The lovely village of Shanklin, situated in a valley some hundreds of feet above the level of the sea, was the delight of visitors in the days of the four-horse coach, which on its journey from Ryde to Ventnor stayed for an hour at Daish's Hotel, to afford passengers an opportunity of visiting the Chine. Now it is very much changed. It is no longer a little village, but is fast becoming an extensive watering-place. The speculative builder has been busily at work, and the result is, that for want of proper restrictions, buildings are scattered indiscriminately over the place, many of which are not in harmony with the surrounding scenery. Most of these buildings have been erected since the opening of the railway from Ryde; and so largely has the population of the place increased that it has been necessary to form it into a district under the Local Government Act. An idea of its rapid growth may be formed from the fact that the population being only 355 in 1861, while in 1871 it numbered 2,069 - an increase almost unprecedented. The Commissioners are making great efforts to improve the place which is now lighted with gas; and they will we doubt not endeavour to preserve much of its beauty as is possible. The fine, hard sandy beach off Shanklin is a great recommendation, and has caused it for years to be visited by families of distinction, amongst whom have been several members of the Imperial Family of Russia." (From Mason's Guide to the Isle of Wight, 1876)