Guide to Sandown in the Isle of Wight

Sandown is a seaside resort town and civil parish on the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight, England, neighbouring the town of Shanklin to the south. Sandown Bay is the name of the bay off the English Channel which both towns share, and it is notable for its long stretch of easily accessible golden sandy beach. It is the site of the lost Sandown Castle, Isle of Wight. Later forts in the town include the Diamond Fort (named after its plan), built inshore to replace the castle and which fought off a minor attack from privateers (probably French) in 1788, and the present "Granite Fort", which is now the zoo.
Sandown is a typical Victorian seaside town, but is surrounded by a wealth of natural features. To the north is Culver Down, a chalk down accessible to the public, mostly owned and managed by the National Trust, and supports typical chalk downland wildlife, and many seabirds which nest on the adjoining cliffs. Nearby inland are Sandown Levels, one of the few freshwater wetlands on the Isle of Wight, where Alverstone Mead Local Nature Reserve is a very popular spot for bird watching. Further inland the woodland of Borthwood provides delightful woodland walks, and bluebells aplenty in the springtime.
The most significant wildlife designation in the area is the Special Area of Conservation which covers the marine sub-littoral zone, including the reefs and sea bed. At extreme low tide a petrified forest is partially revealed in the northern part of Sandown Bay, and fragments of petrified wood are regularly washed up on the beach.

Sandown has been a seaside resort town since the Victorian age thanks to its sands and the sunny weather on the Isle of Wight compared to other parts of the United Kingdom. Its success, along with that of other neighbouring Isle of Wight resorts led to the building of a railway connecting Sandown with Ventnor at the south and Ryde on the north coast of the Island. Sandown railway station is still on the one remaining operational railway on the Island, which now goes from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.
Today Sandown Esplanade boasts some fine Victorian and Edwardian hotels which overlook the golden sands of the beach below. Sandown Pier hosts a large amusement centre with arcade games and children's play areas, typical of a sea-side resort. The pier is also good for doing a spot of sea fishing with designated areas especially for the keen angler. Further north, there is the Isle of Wight Zoo (also known as Sandown Zoo) which features a big cat sanctuary and other facilities including an 18 hole golf course, the Dinosaur Isle geological museum and Sandham Grounds, offering tennis, bowls and putting.
In the Summer, Southern Vectis run an open-top bus route called "The Sandown Bay Tour", serving the main tourist areas of the town and Shanklin.
As well as the Island Line railway mentioned above, Sandown is served by regular buses run by Southern Vectis. Routes 2,3,8 and 10 serve Bembridge, Newport, Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor including towns in between. Service 3 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also local route 22, which serves the back roads between Sandown and Shanklin.
If you are looking for Isle of Wight Accommodation please contact Garden Isle Holidays for a range of Hotels on the Isle of Wight.

This article was written and modified on behalf of Garden Isle Holiday who specialise in Isle of Wight Holidays and offer Hotel Sandown.