Sheltered by a sandy bay, Sandown is a picturesque seaside resort on the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight. It lures sunseekers in with its Blue Flag beaches, lively pier and infectious holiday atmosphere. You can also discover ancient dinosaur fossils and visit one of the top zoos in the United Kingdom.
Things to do in Sandown
On a sunny day it's hard to resist the call of Sandown Beach. You can soak up the sun, build a sandcastle or stroll along the wooden amusement pier. It's fringed by a breezy promenade lined with beach cafes, ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops.
You can also wander down to Yaverland Beach. With golden sand and soaring sea cliffs, it's considered one of the Isle of Wight’s best beaches. Yaverland is one of the Isle of Wight’s famous "Dinosaur Beaches", so keep an eye out for ancient fossils.
The family-friendly Dinosaur Isle museum offers a glimpse at Sandown's prehistoric past. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of ancient fossils found on the Isle of Wight. You can even purchase your own fossils at the gift store.
From lions and tigers to meerkats and monkeys, Isle of Wight Zoo is a top family-friendly attraction housed in the ruins of a grand Victorian fort. Kids will love the guided walking safaris, which get you up close with the resident big cats.
Getting around Sandown
Sandown is easy to get around on foot, with the walk to the beach taking less than 10 minutes. Sandown Railway Station is a 10-minute stroll from High Street and offers fast connections to Newport, Ryde and Shanklin. Local buses are a great way to get around the island or you can hire a rental car to travel further afield.