Superbly situated beside the sparkling waters of Sandown Bay, the twin resorts of Sandown and Shanklin have delighted generations of holiday-makers for over 150 years.

Early Victorian visitors were so captivated by the magnificent bay and sheltered golden sands that within a few decades the sparsely populated community of Sandown saw an explosion of investment and development, culminating in the opening of the railway line from Ryde in 1864. The Victorians laid out the broad seafront promenades and beautiful parks and gardens. They built fine town and country villas, many of which have been converted into hotels and apartments. The cliff-top path offers a wonderful walk, with panoramic views of the bay and continues all the way to Shanklin, passing Lake, which has its own railway station, hotels, guest houses, shops and water sports centre.

Sandown seafront is just yards from the town's shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, with easy level walking along the broad promenades and sea wall. Safe bathing and a mild climate with consistently high placing in the U.K's sunshine records provide the essential ingredients for a summer holiday. You will find deckchairs, beach huts, water sports and the pier, which dates from 1879 and now provides all-weather amusements and the opportunity to walk out over the sea, which is just as exciting for today's visitors as it was to the Victorians.

Along Culver Parade you'll find tennis, bowls, crazy golf and a pitch and putt course. There's a Monday market from Easter to October, the Tiger Sanctuary and the Dinosaur Isle Museum. At the southern end of town the Heights Health and Leisure Base has indoor swimming pools and further inland is a fine 18 hole golf course. Sandown Carnival in July is the Island's first of the season, the Regatta and illuminated Carnival are in August.

Just two miles inland from Sandown is the historic Kyngs Towne of Brading, with its

Norman Church, manor houses of Morton and Nunwell, 3rd century Roman Villa and

ancient cottages housing museums, craft shops and tea rooms.

You can enjoy a pleasure flight from Sandown Airport, or take the footpath to Borthwood

Copse, which is especially beautiful in spring, when carpeted with bluebells. Continue

along the Newport Road to visit Amazon World which is open throughout the year.