History of Sandown

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 (many of which have been unsympathetically extended by breeze block annexes) 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 seaside resort. The pier is also well used for sea fishing with designated areas especially for the angler. Further north, there is the Isle of Wight Zoo (also known as Sandown Zoo) which specialises in tigers. Other facilities include an 18 hole golf course, the Dinosaur Isle geological museum and Sandham Gardens, offering a skate park, children's play park, crazy golf, bowls and putting green