Sandown

Sandown Pier

Dinosaur Isle

Sandown is possibly the main holiday resort on the Isle of Wight. 

The town grew rapidly from a small Victorian village when the railway arrived in 1864. The town has the only entertainment pier left on the Island. 

Along with Shanklin, Sandown frequently records the sunniest places on the south coast. The fine sandy beach stretches from Yaverland to beyond the pier, so there is plenty of room for bathing. 

At Yaverland you will find the Wild Heart Animal Sanctuary, which is on the site of Sandown Fort, built under the Palmerston initiative between 1861 and 1866. Just along Culver Parade from the Zoo is Brown's Golf Course and Dinosaur Isle. On the corner of Fort Street, you come across Sandham Gardens, which has tennis courts and other facilities. You will also find the revamped Sandham Rides, which recently featured in the TV series Dragon's Den. 

The rest of Culver Parade is made up of amusements and hotels, all of which overlook the beach. We then come to the High Street where Sandown's shops can be found. Along with most other Island towns, Sandown has a carnival, and the climax is the illuminated procession in late August