Shanklin Parks & Gardens

Rylstone Gardens

Rylstone Gardens are one of Shanklin’s most famous attractions yet still manage to retain a peacefulness and serenity which is hard to find anywhere else. The Gardens are tucked away just to the south of Shanklin Old Village and stretch to the coastal path where the views across the Bay are spectacular. There are now very few parts of the country inhabited by Red Squirrels, however they can regularly be seen scurrying around the Gardens. There is also a lovely tea shop and crazy golf course both of which are adorned with beautiful flower baskets during the summer months.

The chalet in Rylstone Gardens is home to the very successful Shanklin Town Brass Band. Across from the chalet, the Bandstand is a popular open air venue for concerts by Shanklin Town Brass Band and many, many others through the summer months. Deck chairs are provided for the audience to sit and enjoy the entertainment. Programmes of events are displayed around the Town.

Big Mead

Big Mead is a large expanse of open parkland to the south of Shanklin Old Village. Within the park there is a recreation area for children and a lovely duck pond at the bottom of the Mead by St. Blasius Church. The history of St. Blasius is very interesting. It began as a family chapel for Shanklin Manor but as the town began to expand in Victorian times, was given, by the Lord of the Manor, to the town as the parish church for the Old Village. The first mention of Shanklin Manor is in the Doomsday survey of 1086 and it is thought likely that there would have been a place of worship there then.

Tower Cottage Gardens

As the name suggests Tower Cottage Gardens were once the gardens to Tower Cottage which was built circa 1825. The cottage survived bomb damage in World War II but was sadly lost to subsidence in 1947. The gardens survived and today feature a mixture of mature trees – predominantly beech and oak, together with ornamental species such as the oriental plane and red oak.

Keats Green

Keats Green, named after the poet John Keats (1795 – 1821) is located on the cliff path above Shanklin Esplanade. Take a seat and marvel at the panoramic views across the Bay. There are several references to Keats around Shanklin as he lodged at Eglantine Cottage in the High Street during July and August 1819. It was there that he completed his first book of “Lamia” and began a drama entitled “Otho the Great” with Charles Armitage Brown. Look out for the plaque on the High Street at the location where Keats stayed all those years ago.

America Wood

America Wood is located on the outskirts of Shanklin towards Whiteley Bank. It is owned by the Woodland Trust and a recognised Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Wood is easily accessible via public footpaths and bridleways although vehicular access and car parking are both difficult. The Great Storm of 1987 left a fairly open feel to the Wood although the open glades are gradually reverting back to woodland much of which is high oak forest and downy birch.