Shanklin Chine

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Shanklin Chine: Celebrating its Bicentenary year in 2017

Shanklin Chine marks a truly special milestone this year as it celebrates its 200th Anniversary as a visitor attraction. The gates to this historic gorge first opened back in 1817, making it the longest established attraction on Isle of Wight, enticing many millions of visitors to wander through and marvel at its natural beauty over a double century of seasonal openings.

There are few locations on the Isle of Wight, let alone England, that can boast such a tranquil and picturesque location for visitors to enjoy. The stunning tree lined Chine cuts its way from Shanklin Old Village to the sandy beach and Esplanade far below and has always been a magnet for renowned artists, photographers and those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of modern age. Shanklin Chine boasts many famous visitors who have stopped to paint, draw and write about the natural beauty it beholds. From author Jane Austen to romanticist landscape painter J.M.W Turner, all have been attracted by the timeless and magical beauty captured in this remarkable gorge, with its waterfall, shear chasm-like sides decked in lush vegetation and towering trees

A brand-new exhibition in 2017 will tell the fascinating story of the Chine’s two-hundred-year history and features sections on the flora and fauna of this officially classified site of important nature conservation.  This is accompanied by a limited edition new book written especially for the Bicentenary.

Visitors can enjoy the splendour of Shanklin Chine by day...then wonder at its mystical beauty on summer nights during the Chine Lumierè, when hundreds of lights illuminate the narrow paths, streams and waterfalls held within. The Lumierè begins on 26th May, with an increased run of 10pm closings until the last day of September…the longest period of illuminated openings in its history. Then, following a short period of closure for maintenance, the Chine reopens between 21st and 29th October, again featuring the Lumierè evenings, with closing times at 8pm. During evening openings, the attraction offers a day and evening return ticket which allows for two visits within a seven-day period at very little extra cost to just one single visit.

Shanklin Chine has a well-stocked gift shop and popular Victorian style tea room, with a newly extended tea garden for 2017.  Taking a cream tea at the attraction is definitely one of the highlights to any visit, with a special 200th Birthday high afternoon tea available to pre-book this year (details to be found on the website). There is also a full menu of light lunches and meals prepared to order by the tea room team.

The attraction also features a special monument to the crack 40 Royal Marine Commando who trained in the Chine in preparation for the Dieppe landings on D-Day in World War II. Visitors can also learn about the role of Shanklin Chine during this period- in particular the part played by the Marine Commandos' and the famous PLUTO (Pipeline Under The Ocean) which carried petrol to the Allied troops in France.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a leisurely stroll through Shanklin Chine...a wondrous secret discovered and loved by so many people during its historical reign as the Island’s most original of tourist attractions. With entrances at both the Old Village and Esplanade ends, it makes the perfect scenic cut through between Shanklin’s busiest locations that no visitor should miss.

Look out for special summer events planned this year and help celebrate this truly unique attraction’s bicentenary including live music on Tuesday nights in the summer holidays and nature tours on “Wild Life Wednesdays”, with more details updated on the website closer the time.