Gossip's Coffee Shop

Tucked into the row of pastel-painted cafes and beach huts on Shanklin Esplanade, Gossip's Coffee Shop has been a familiar fixture on this stretch of the Isle of Wight coast for many seasons. Its outdoor tables look directly onto the soft sandy beach, with the green cliffs of Shanklin rising behind and the pier-less curve of the bay sweeping north towards Sandown.

The offer is straightforward and generous: cooked breakfasts, paninis and jacket potatoes at lunchtime, plus a strong line in cakes, ice creams and traditional cream teas served with clotted cream and jam. Friendly staff and quick service make it a useful stop for families midway through a day on the beach, or for walkers tackling the coastal path between Shanklin and Bonchurch.

The Esplanade is reached by the Shanklin Cliff Lift from the clifftop gardens above, or by the gently sloping walk through Shanklin Chine. With sea views, sunshine and the gentle background hum of a classic British resort, it remains one of the most pleasant places on the island for an unhurried coffee.