The Sandhill, Sandown, Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight (The Island as it is known locally) is the largest English Island, but also a county in its own right.
As a county, is is one of the smallest (at almost 150 square miles) and least densely populated (less than 1000/square mile) in England, with around 60 miles of coastline. Just over half of The Island is designated as the 'Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.
The Island has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times, when it became home to poets Algernon Charles Swinburne and Alfred Lord Tennyson, as well as the favorite holiday destination of Queen Victoria, who built Osborne House as her Summer Residence.
Home to the famous Isle of Wight Festival, which was first held in 1968, the worlds first radio station (at The Needles Battery), the Hovercraft and Britain's first Space Rockets, The Island is rich in maritime and industrial tradition.
The are many things to see and do on The Island, including Isle of Wight Zoo, Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, The Needles and many chines and beaches.
Walking and Cycling are popular pursuits, as are Alum Bay with its coloured sands, Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill theme parks and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
As a county, is is one of the smallest (at almost 150 square miles) and least densely populated (less than 1000/square mile) in England, with around 60 miles of coastline. Just over half of The Island is designated as the 'Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.
The Island has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times, when it became home to poets Algernon Charles Swinburne and Alfred Lord Tennyson, as well as the favorite holiday destination of Queen Victoria, who built Osborne House as her Summer Residence.
Home to the famous Isle of Wight Festival, which was first held in 1968, the worlds first radio station (at The Needles Battery), the Hovercraft and Britain's first Space Rockets, The Island is rich in maritime and industrial tradition.
The are many things to see and do on The Island, including Isle of Wight Zoo, Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, The Needles and many chines and beaches.
Walking and Cycling are popular pursuits, as are Alum Bay with its coloured sands, Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill theme parks and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.