Lake Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
![Sandown is a seaside resort town and civil parish[1] on the southeast 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. Whilst undergoing construction, this was attacked by a French force which had fought its way over Culver Down from Whitecliff Bay, resulting in the French being repulsed. It was built too far into the sea and constantly suffered erosion, until now reduced to a pile of rocks. 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. The sweeping esplanade from Devonia Steps to Yaverland and the bandstand were built during the First World War, for the first time stabilising the road to Bembridge. An extension to Brown's Golf Course (and former ice cream factory) was added in 1944 to disguise pumping apparatus for the Pipe Line Under the Ocean (PLUTO) pumping oil to the D-Day beaches, which still stands next to the large Art Deco Grand Hotel. Sandown Bay is often used as a sheltered anchorage, especially for ships requiring salvage which are periodically towed into the bay (such as the Tarpenbeck) and the wreck of a salvage tug can still be seen at low tide under Culver Cliff (the Harry Sharman) which had been assisting the stricken tanker Pacific Glory in the 1970s.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635974899549/1189fbd6-ee65-4ed1-b0fa-4bb31196490f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Visit Lake
Royal Maritime Hotel
Nice room and easy to get to town
Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026
Harbour Hotel Southampton
We were upgraded to a huge room! Lovely stay - lovely staff.
Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026
The Langstone Quays
All 100%
Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026
Mill Rythe Coastal Village
Lodge was spotless when arrived. Went to Guest services to report problem with boiler not working. Before I had driven back maintenance staff had attended and rectified problem.
Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026
Pinnacle Suites
The room was clean, with modern/quirky tech features. The staff were very friendly and accommodating to our needs, providing a place to store our luggage after the check out time. The hotel is in a good location for the Redjet passenger ferry and the high street with bars and restaurants. It is also ...
Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025
Gunwharf Quays Apartments
Nice place, price convenient, well located, some ítems degraded
Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025
Popular places to visit
Sandown Beach
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Sandown Beach during your travels in Sandown? Visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its cafes.
Sandown Pier
After visiting Sandown Pier, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Sandown. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.
Yaverland Beach
If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Yaverland Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Sandown. Stroll along the seaside or visit the spas in the area.
Isle of Wight Zoo
See the exotic and native animals who live at Isle of Wight Zoo during your travels in Sandown. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Dinosaur Isle
You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Dinosaur Isle during your travels in Sandown. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Amazon World Zoo Park
See the exotic and native animals who live at Amazon World Zoo Park during your travels in Horringford. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.
Things to do
Isle of Wight: Osborne Admission Ticket
Bar & Club queue jump entry Party Pass to multiple venues in Portsmouth
- Lake Beach
- New Forest National Park
- Portsmouth International Port
- Gunwharf Quays
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- Beaulieu National Motor Museum
- South Downs National Park
- HMS Victory
- Yarmouth Isle-of-Wight Ferry Terminal
- Portsmouth Guildhall
- Shanklin Beach
- Lymington Pier Ferry Port
- Osborne House
- University of Portsmouth
- Ryde Pier Head Terminal
- West Wittering Beach
- Mary Rose Museum
- Chichester Harbour
- Fratton Park
- Ventnor Beach
- Spinnaker Tower
- Shanklin Old Village
- Netley Abbey
- Kings Theatre
- Seaclose Park
- Isle of Wight Zoo
- Colwell Bay Beach
- Southsea Castle
- Fishbourne Car And Passenger Terminal
