Sandown, which is situated on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, is described as ‘the island’s premier resort’. Paradoxically, during the 1870s it was referred to in a guide book merely as ‘a village by a sandy shore’.



Now, however, just over a century later, Sandown is considered to be a much ‘sought-after’ beach resort. And it is the only town on the island that possesses a ‘pleasure pier’. Furthermore, it’s a pier that is said to be ‘bedecked with amusement arcades, cafes, dodgems and a theatre’.

Sandown is referred to as ‘a lively town’, and is said to offer its visitors every kind of seaside attraction, including a ‘Blue Flag Beach’, where a ‘Kidzone Safety Scheme’ operates during the season. And it’s also said to be frequently recorded as ‘being among Britain’s sunniest spots’. The miles of flat, sweeping sands that comprise Sandown Bay extend as far as the village of Shanklin, which lies to the south. And the two resorts of Sandown and Shanklin virtually merge into one another – being situated at either end of the bay.

But while Sandown has been transformed into a thriving town, Shanklin, with its towering auburn coloured cliffs, has retained its ‘Old Village’ image. Sandown lays claim to several colourful gardens, innumerable sporting facilities, and even ‘pleasure flights’ from the nearby airfield. A market is also held in the town every Sunday.

And throughout the season Sandown Bay is said to be the venue for a wide range of special events, including ‘The Power Boat Festival’ in May, ‘The Regatta’ in August, and ‘The National Strong Man Finals’ in September. At the northern end of the town’s Esplanade lies ‘Dinosaur Isle’, which is particularly popular with children.

‘Dinosaur Isle’ features an exhibition of locally excavated dinosaur bones. The Isle of Wight is apparently renowned for the number - and quality - of the dinosaur remains that have been recovered there. Entitled ‘120 Years In The Making’, the museum has displays on all aspects of the island’s geology, which include some massive ammonites that have been recovered locally.

And as part of the complex’s educational programme, it’s claimed that members of the museum staff are ready to give advice to visitors by telling them where to locate the best places to search for fossils. Furthermore, the visitors are urged to return to the museum with whatever fossils they discover so that they can be identified.

Situated on the seafront of Sandown is the ‘Isle of Wight Zoo’, which it is claimed ‘specialises in breeding and caring for severely endangered exotic species’. Some of the planet’s most severely threatened creatures are to be found here. And said to be ‘the stars of the show’ are the beautiful but dangerous Big Cats, such as the Royal and White Bengal Tigers, Chinese Tigers, Siberian Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Jaguars and Black Panthers.

Other creatures within the zoo also include lemurs, monkeys, reptiles, birds, insects and spiders. In fact, the zoo is also a World Health Organisation Centre for venomous snakes – their venom being extracted for use as antidotes for snake bites. And it’s said that one might well see TV ‘Snake Man’ Jack Corney handling these lethal reptiles.

In addition, any child who agrees to be photographed with a small harmless snake is presented with a certificate to prove it. Featured here too are ‘all weather snake and parrot shows’, and there’s a Pet Corner, and a children’s play area within the zoo’s confines. The zoo also has a seafront pub and café, a snack bar and a shop that’s known as the ‘Zoofair Gift Shop’.

And a ‘Road-Runner Train’ operates services between the zoo and the town centre. Lying west of Sandown is the Amazon World Zoo Park, which is another popular family attraction. Featured here is the history of the rain forest. And it’s claimed that by creating numerous diverse habitats, exotic animals, birds and reptiles can live in as near natural landscapes as possible. Anyone staying at Sandown will inevitably visit Shanklin since both resorts flank Sandown Bay. The ‘Old Village’ of Shanklin, as it is referred to, is a small complex of thatched houses that stands at the head of Shanklin Chine.

The famous Shanklin Chine is, in fact, a spectacular ravine which is about 300 feet deep and 180 feet wide, and is noted for its waterfalls and rare flora. And one can follow a Nature Trail or join a guided tour in order to explore the ravine. Furthermore, during the summer the twisting pathway that leads down to the ravine is decorated with fairy lights at night-time – and it is a scene that is considered to be particularly picturesque.

Shanklin also lays claim to a Heritage Centre, which contains a particularly interesting exhibit entitled PLUTO – namely ‘the Pipe Line Under The Ocean’. This was the ‘secretly constructed pipeline’ that was used to transport fuel from the Isle of Wight to the continent during the D-Day landings. The Centre also contains a memorial to the soldiers of 40 Commando who trained in the area prior to their ill fated assault on Dieppe in the year 1942.

The area has come to be associated with many famous names, including Charles Darwin, Longfellow, and John Keats. And a ‘grassy open space’ known as Keats Green commemorates the latter’s stay in the area throughout the summer of 1818. In fact, it’s said that he wrote some of his best poems while there.

These include his poem ‘Endymion’, the first line of which reads: ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’. And his quotation ‘All this beauty is of God’ has been adopted as the Isle of Wight’s motto, and is often attached to an emblem depicting a castle and three anchors. ‘Beauty’, in fact, is a word that has been ascribed to the whole island on numerous occasions, with much of its land having been designated as ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

Sandown being situated on the eastern coast of the island – an area renowned for its coastal resorts, which include Ryde, Bembridge, Shanklin and Ventnor – the town’s nearest island arrival point by sea would seem to be Ryde, which is not only the northernmost point of the coast but is also the largest town on the island.

Ryde, in fact, is described as a major ferry terminal, being the arrival point for the Southsea to Ryde Hovercraft Service and the Portsmouth to Ryde Wightlink Ferries. There is a train service from Ryde to Sandown (which ends at Shanklin) while the A3055 road, likewise, follows a southerly route to Sandown – and, in fact, pursues a semi-circular coastal route as far as the island’s westernmost point.

Described as being ‘perennially popular’, Sandown and Shanklin lay claim to a plethora of accommodation options, most of which, it is said, are open throughout the year. Likewise, restaurants and cafes abound in the Sandown Bay’s ‘twin towns’. A popular eating place in Sandown is Davilles Restaurant. And it lays claim to being particularly ‘highly recommended’ since it is the favourite eating place of the town’s local population.

The restaurant forms part of The Belvedere Hotel, which is said to offer ‘quality en-suite accommodation’. The restaurant itself is said to occupy ‘a superb site’ since it overlooks the beach, and its sun terraces command beautiful views of the bay. Laying claim to a ‘cosy, friendly atmosphere’, the restaurant’s menu features both hot and cold home-cooked food, with locally caught seafood being a speciality. An abundance of real ales, lagers, spirits and fine wines are also on offer. And the restaurant hosts live music at the week-ends.

Another favourite Sandown restaurant is the Caulkheads Inn, which is described as a ‘family-run, family-friendly hostelry’. And it is said to have a reputation for serving excellent value-for-money food. Traditional pub favourites such as steaks, roasts and curries feature on the establishment’s menu, but it also offers ‘daily house specials’. And it’s said that there are also special menus for pensioners at attractive prices, which are available every lunch-time from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. – with the exception of Sundays.

Meals are served in a separate dining room or outside on a ‘covered decked area’ at the rear of the building, which overlooks the Beer Garden. The inn also lays claim to a good selection of cask ales on tap as well as an extensive selection of other beverages. Sandown’s ETC 3 Star Melville Hotel & Utopian Spa stands in a semi-rural setting on the outskirts of the town, and is situated within a few minutes walk of the seafront Esplanade. The hotel offers what is described as an ‘unequalled range of leisure facilities’, which include an indoor leisure suite and an extensive range of therapies and treatment, such as therapeutic massages and aromatherapy treatments.

Good cuisine is claimed to be a focal feature of the hotel, with a five course table d’hote menu that’s varied each day being on offer. And this menu can be supplemented by an a la carte selection of starter and main course dishes at a small additional cost.

And for a small charge too, both breakfast and main meals can be served in one’s bedroom. The hotel’s bedrooms are described as being ‘extremely comfortable’, some having scenic views across to Brading Downs. Some also have king-size or four poster beds, while one bedroom is referred to as the Deluxe Four Poster Room which features a ‘corner Jacuzzi bath’ as well as some grand views.

And the hotel’s Leisure Suite features an indoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi, a large sauna, an infra red heat cabin, and a stand-up solarium. Another popular Sandown hotel is the Westhill Hotel, which, it is claimed ‘enjoys a superb situation, just minutes away from the sparkling waters of Sandown Bay’.

In addition to the hotel’s many amenities, it’s said that nearby activities include tennis, windsurfing, sailing, cycling, bowling, fishing, and golf on the town’s ‘first-class course’.

And also close by is a leisure centre that has an indoor swimming pool, squash and badminton courts, and a gymnasium. In addition to the hotel’s many well furnished bedrooms, chalet bungalows are also available – all, likewise, with en-suite facilities.

Those seeking self catering accommodation might decide to opt for Shanklin’s ‘Summerhill Apartments’. Initially built as a ‘Victorian gentleman’s residence’, the Summerhill Apartments are situated in what is described as a ‘prime location, within easy reach of Sandown Bay. The apartments were designed and newly furnished in the year 2005, and have been accorded a top 4 Star rating from the English Tourist Board. Totalling eight apartments in all, they range from a studio apartment to a three bed-roomed apartment.

Each apartment has been ‘individually themed’, such as: ‘The Beech’, a three bed-roomed apartment on the ground floor, which has its own walled and paved terrace at the front, with barbecue and garden furniture provided; ‘Tree Tops’, a two bed-roomed apartment referred to as ‘the cottage in the sky’, which enjoys sea and down-land views; and ‘Rose’, a one bed-roomed apartment that commands a panoramic vista of both Shanklin and the Downs.

Also situated in Shanklin is a country house hotel which, it is claimed, commands the best position, the best view, and the best array of facilities of any hotel on the Isle of Wight. And this particular hotel is known as the Luccombe Hall.

Originally built in the year 1870 as the summer residence of the Bishop of Portsmouth, Luccombe Hall is now an AA, RAC, and ETC Star rated family-run hotel. Its Italian style gardens are said to be beautifully maintained, with seating and tables. And the sunbathing area at the bottom of the garden is said to command uninterrupted views across the sea. And a path from the gardens leads to the Grand View Tea Gardens, where one can enjoy either light refreshments or cream teas.

Luccombe Hall’s outdoor amenities include a heated swimming pool, a children’s area and another decked sun terrace, while its indoor amenities include a Leisure Centre, with an indoor heated swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a treatment room, a games room and a fitness area. In fact, Luccombe Hall is claimed to be the only hotel on the Isle of Wight to have its own squash court.

The food at the hotel is said to be of an equally high standard, with ‘a superb five-course table d’hote dinner’ always available. Furthermore, the hotel’s wine cellar is said to contain a selection of more than fifty different wines from all over the world. And any of these wines can be selected to complement whatever meal that’s being partaken.

Certainly, the hotels lying within the area of Sandown Bay would seem to offer a very high level of accommodation. And it is said that it is along this eastern coast that most of the island’s population of 125,000 are said to reside. Having personally only visited the Isle of Wight on a day trip, the time I spent on the island was strictly limited due to the strict schedule of the boats’ arrival and departure times.

But I did manage to see most of the focal features of the island, including: Cowes - world famous for its annual ‘Cowes Week’, which is regarded as Britain’s premier yachting event of the year; Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s estate Osborne House; the renowned Carisbrook Castle; Alfred Lord Tennyson’s favourite walking area along the coastline of Freshwater Bay – now renamed Tennyson Down, and where a cross has been erected on the cliff as a memorial to him; and the famed Needles Rocks - which I actually viewed at close quarters.

While I did not manage to visit the Isle of Man’s eastern coast in person, on my one brief day trip there, I was assured that Sandown Bay represented ‘the island’s holiday-making epicentre’. I was also informed that the eastern coastline was frequently recorded as being among Britain’s ‘sunniest spots’. Sandown and its neighbouring eastern coastal resorts, therefore, would seem to epitomise the ‘Riviera of the Isle of Wight’…………….