Rylstone Gardens cache Size: small Hidden: 30 April 2008 Terrain: flat level walk, mostly tarmacked paths Difficulty: moderate Grid Ref: SZ Download Getting There Rylstone Gardens sits on the south side of Shanklin Chine, a fissure in the cliff with plants and waterfalls that is a popular tourist attraction. There is some free on-road parking nearby and a public car park in Shanklin Old Village (charges applicable). Bus number 3 stops at Chine Avenue and bus number 2 stops nearby. Both buses stop at Shanklin town, along with bus number 22. For information on bus times see Island Buses or phone 0871 200 2233. WildlifeParkland birds are in abundance; blackbirds, sparrows and robins. You might also see a red squirrel.

With beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking Shanklin beach, Rylstone is a quiet corner of Shanklin easily accessible from the Old Village. Red squirrels, which only now exist in a few parts of Britain, can be found in the park. There is also a tribute to Elvis Presley in the north corner of the gardens, obviously continuing a musicial theme in Rylstone!

Central to the gardens - and across the park from the chalet - is a prominent bandstand. With the gardens clearing into an open-air space, surrounded by trees, it is ideal for band concerts and is easily the best venue on the Island for outside performances. Shanklin Town Brass Band, along with other Island and mainland bands, regularly performs on the bandstand in the summer. The park is soon filled with deckchairs as a packed audience soak up the sound of the Band broadcasting across the gardens and beyond.

The gardens are also home to crazy golf, a cafe and the Rylstone Manor Hotel. There are steps all the way down to Shanklin beach in the corner of the gardens next to the chalet.