By IW Galleries
Shanklin has been named as one of the most charming small towns in the whole of the United Kingdom.
The popular Island seaside town attracts thousands of visitors each year, especially to its seafront and beautiful Old Village.
Shanklin has been ranked in fifth place by worldwide travel site, Big 7 Travel for towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer.
The towns were rated based on their ‘charm factor’, which includes natural scenery, general friendliness of the community, food and drink scene, history or culture.
Rounding off the top of the list were Beddgelert in Snowdonia, Polperro in Cornwall, Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and Rye in Sussex.
Shanklin beat the likes of Cushendun and Portrush in Northern Ireland, Crail in Fife and Hawshead in Cumbria.
Isle of Wight Observer