Hidden away in the heart of Shanklin Old Village on the Isle of Wight, Pencil Cottage is one of the village’s oldest and most charming buildings. It has been in continuous commercial use since the reign of George III, quietly watching village life unfold for well over two centuries.

An old photograph displayed in the shop shows the cottage in 1860, when it was known as The Shanklin Bazaar. Visitors often ask how it came to be called Pencil Cottage. The name changed more than a hundred years ago and was most likely a nickname given by the artists and writers who were drawn to Shanklin for its light, scenery, and calm. The village hosted many well known literary figures, including John Keats and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and it is easy to imagine them calling in to stock up on pencils and paper before settling down to write.

Pencils are still sold here today, and they now share the shelves with something a little more magical. Jingle Bells, our year round Christmas shop, fills Pencil Cottage with festive cheer whatever the season. From traditional decorations to delightful surprises, it is a place where Christmas never feels far away. Alongside this, our antiques and collectables corner changes constantly and often holds small surprises for those who like to browse and linger.

Like much of Shanklin Old Village, Pencil Cottage has a more adventurous past than first meets the eye. Beneath the building lies the entrance to one of the old smugglers’ tunnels that once ran through the village. These tunnels were used to whisk goods up from the beach below via the Chine, away from the watchful eyes of the Revenue men. Next door at the historic Crab Inn, a numbered wheel disguised as a game was used to signal whether it was safe to land. The original wheel can still be seen today in our Garden Room, a wonderfully curious piece of local history.

The Isle of Wight itself is full of gentle surprises. It is the largest island in the English Channel, yet for half the year it becomes England’s smallest county. The Island subtly rocks with the changing tides and within its 23 miles by 13 miles lives a close knit community of around 126,000 people. Shanklin sits high above the sea, between 150 and 250 feet, and the views and atmosphere have inspired visitors for generations. Keats famously described the area as “a thing of beauty and joy forever”.

Just a short stroll from Pencil Cottage is Shanklin Chine, the village’s best loved natural wonder. The word Chine means a chink or fissure, and over thousands of years water flowing from a spring near the old church has carved this deep, leafy gorge. Cool, green, and quietly magical, it is one of the most enchanting walks on the Island.

Shanklin is also one of the few places in Britain where the charming red squirrel can still be found. They live in and around the village, and we have feeding stations in our lower garden to help support them. If you are lucky, you may spot one darting through the trees during your visit, so keep your eyes open and your camera close.

Whether you visit for the history, the festive sparkle, or simply to wander and wonder, we hope Pencil Cottage becomes a small but memorable part of your time in Shanklin and the Isle of Wight.