About Sandown

Sandown is a traditional seaside town complete with a pier. Located on the south east coast of the Island, it is sheltered in a beautiful bay with miles of the most glorious sandy beach. To the north of the town is Culver Downs, mostly owned and managed by the National Trust and inland are the Sandown levels, one of the few freshwater wetlands on the Isle of Wight. At extremely low tides a petrified forest is partially revealed in the northern part of Sandown Bay. A gentle climb to the top of Culver Down to the Yaverland monument provides beautiful views across the island and mainland.

Sandown Airport

There is a privately owned airport where private aircraft can be landed on the outskirts of Sandown. 

Buses

A regular bus service is run by Southern Vectis routes 2 and 3 and 8 which is a 45 minute journey to Newport, the centre of the island.

Local bus No 24 is manned by volunteers and provides a circular route via Morrisons at Lake to Shanklin and back.

Timetables

Trains

Sandown railway station lies along the Island Line, the only train route through the Island and has a popular cafe.

The station was opened in the mid-19th century has two platforms, one of which still has the original station building and overhanging roof. There are no facilities for buying tickets, so they must either be purchased online in advance or on board the train with the guard.

There are two trains an hour direct to Ryde Pier Head in 18 minutes and two direct southbound departures an hour to Shanklin in 6 minutes.

IslandLine

Cycling 

Sandown is served by Cycle route 23 a national cycle route covering 10 miles from Sandown to Newport in the centre of the Island.

By Car and Parking.

Sandown can be reached via the A3055 and the B3395. Details of any local road works can be found on Island Roads website.

Long Stay Car parks

Yaverland, Culver Parade, PO36 8QS

Dinosaur Isle, Culver Parade, PO36 8QA

Fort Street, Fort Street, PO36 8BA

Station Avenue, PO36 8ET

Short Stay

St Johns Road, PO36 8ES

On Street Pay and Display

Sandown Esplanade 

Sandown hosts one of the oldest carnivals dating back to 1889, with daytime processions and an evening carnival held in the summer most years.

The Sandown Regatta, which usually takes place annually in August, includes events throughout the month and concludes with an evening firework display and an Illuminated Carnival.

Traditionally there is a grand firework display on bonfire night or New Year's Day.