Wight magic
DOMINIC PICKSLEY AND HIS KIDS ENJOY A SEASIDE BREAK ACROSS THE
TALK of Sandown normally conjures up images of thoroughbred horses hurtling down a track or jumping fences at the Esher-based racecourse, but there was barely any equine activity in sight as we enjoyed a week at the other Sandown on the Isle of Wight.
One of the most popular seaside resorts on the island, which is nestled off the coast of Hampshire across the Solent, it is a typical bucket-and-spade affair, with the obligatory pier thrown in for good measure.
Deckchair hire is in abundance on the long stretch of golden sand, along with surfboards, paddleboards and pedalos.
Once a thriving and upmarket destination for those seeking a bit of sun and leisure time, the crumbling remains of previously luxurious Art Deco hotels along the promenade paint a sad reminder of times when people would flock here in their thousands.
Such are the ravages of time and the recent effects of the pandemic, tourist numbers are now merely in their hundreds. But that is no bad thing if you don’t want to be packed in like sardines along the beach, with ample room to enjoy a bit of socially-distanced freedom.
If sitting on the sand all day is not for you, there is plenty to do in Sandown itself and the surrounding areas.
What you need is a good base, and we had that with a fabulous four-bedroom abode, 5 The Mall, one of many good, family-sized houses in Sykes Cottages’ repertoire.
Although we were actually in the large neighbouring village of Lake, we were just a stone’s throw from Sandown but with the added pleasure of marvellous views of the sea and cliffs overlooking Luccombe Bay in the distance.
From the moment we walked in, we felt at home. The cottage had a bedroom each for my children to call their own for the week, which went down a treat.
There were two other large bedrooms, one en-suite, along with ample living quarters downstairs, including a comfy lounge, sunbaked conservatory and a snug – complete with piano on which my son taught himself to play the Looney Tunes theme tune.
There was also a generous-sized kitchen and dining area, plus ample off-street parking.
From the house, we could take a two-minute stroll to the coastal path and either choose to head down into Sandown itself and enjoy the sights and sounds, or venture south towards the charming town of Shanklin, which we did one evening to play crazy golf on the seafront.
Although we got a proper soaking on the way back… the week of our holiday saw a record amount of rain on the island with some paths and roads being washed away, such was the ferocity of the stuff falling from the heavens.
But even the deluge of rain did not dampen our holiday spirit. Luckily, it did stay dry enough for my children to enjoy the Skynets at Sandham Gardens, a recently built attraction at the northern end of Sandown where kids and adults alike can bounce away on huge nets suspended off the ground, throw huge soft balls at each other, and zoom down various slides to their hearts’ content.
Visitors to the gardens can also enjoy go-karting, crazy golf or just play in the kids’ playground, all in view of the coastal waters. And when the sun beats down, it’s a lovely place to spend a couple of hours.
That’s in stark contrast to the
serene action at Sandown Bowls Club, an oasis of calm alongside this children’s haven.
The great thing about the Isle of Wight is that everywhere on the island seems to be nearby and Robin Hill Country Park – the sister park of Blackgang Chine – was only about a 20-minute drive away.
This is a must-visit destination if
you have children. From treetop canopy walkways to adventure parks, with an exhilarating toboggan run, more bouncy nets to traverse and a 4D cinema, this has everything you need for a wonderful day out.
And it’s even better when Brainiac Live are there, which they were during our week on the island.
For a few extra quid, we were thrilled by the touring show, which is described as “the Science Museum meets Top Gear”, with explosions and rocket chairs wowing the youngsters and their parents. There’s nothing better than a few bangs, sparks galore and smoke to make kids – of all ages – happy.
We also paid a visit to the 12th-century Carisbrooke Castle, again just a short drive from Sandown. An imposing fortress with great views of the island, this was where King Charles I was imprisoned in the middle of the 17th century, and much of it still looks like it did when he was held here.
The aforementioned Shanklin was a popular spot for us, especially the old town with its thatched-roofed houses, pubs and shops lending a quintessential English air to the place. The 200-year-old visitor attraction of Shanklin Chine conjured up images of the Elven kingdoms of Tolkien, with its dramatic waterfall and tree-lined paths carved through a stunning gorge.
For such a small island, there’s so much to see and do, lots of fascinating history at your fingertips and so many places to explore that a return visit to Sandown is already pencilled in.