SHANKLIN TOURIST INFORMATION

VERNON COTTAGE LAUNCH THE FIRST ISLAND ‘TOURIST INFORMATION POINT’ AND WIN TOP 'BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AWARD'

Vernon Cottage became the Island’s first privately run and privately funded ‘Tourist Information Point’ in July 2013 after the Isle of Wight Council closed all of their Island Visitor Information Centres due to lack of Council funds. 

Thanks to the vision of the Vernon Cottage owners, Susan and Paul de Vere and Business Manager, Richard de Vere, supported by Visit Isle of Wight and the local Shanklin Councillors, the success of Vernon Cottage Tourist Information has led to a further 14 privately run Information Points springing up over the Island. 

Ideally situated at the gateway of Old Shanklin with entrances from the Old Village car park, the High Street and bus stops - and with a picture postcard Award winning Tea and Beer gardens - the Vernon Cottage Gift Shop provides the perfect location for a Tourist Information Point to help visitors fully enjoy their experience of Old Shanklin and the Island as a whole. It is also the proud winner of a highly sought-after 'Beautiful South Award' as one of the TOP FOUR Tourist Information Points in the UK (2015) - and the ONLY privately funded one. Vernon Cottage won another prestigious highly commended Beautiful South Award in 2020.

Paul de Vere of Vernon Cottage, says: “This venture is a great example of private enterprise stepping up to the plate, with the support of public bodies, to fulfil a local need for both tourists and businesses alike. With the iconic Old Village, Shanklin Chine, beautiful beaches, seafront attractions, vibrant shopping facilities, fantastic restaurants, tearooms and Olde Worlde pubs, Shanklin is firmly on the UK tourist map."

Susan de Vere says: "A Tourist Information Point is an essential part of helping visitors to enjoy the many delights of Shanklin and all Island attractions. Vernon Cottage leads the way in providing first-class tourist information and establishing a tourist information model which is being copied across the Island.”

The Vernon Cottage Tourist Information Point and Gift Shop is manned by knowledgeable local volunteers for a set number of hours each day during the Spring/Summer Season (depending on availablity). 

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