Originally Sandown was of only military significance as its wide sandy
beaches offers a landing place for invasion. One of the first non military
buildings was "Villakin", a holiday home leased by the radical
politician John Wilkes in the 18th century, which, along with the Royal
Pavilion at Brighton began the fashion for seaside holidays. At first only
available to the rich, the development of both railways and excursion steamers
made such holidays more generally available. 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
