Sandown

The penny arcades and traditional seaside amusements tell you everything about Sandown's appeal - this is proper old-school seaside, complete with a long stretch of golden sand that's perfect for families. The town sits on the island's eastern coast, where the downs roll gently toward the sea and the pace feels decidedly unhurried outside the main summer months.

Sandown Bay stretches for miles, backed by low cliffs and the kind of promenade that makes evening strolls a ritual. The pier may not be what it once was, but the beach more than compensates. When the tide's out, there's acres of sand for cricket matches and sandcastle competitions.

Venture inland and you'll find The Garlic Farm, a genuinely interesting spot that's become something of an island institution. The surrounding countryside is gentle rather than dramatic - think copses like Knighton West Wood and nature reserves such as Martins Wood, all within easy reach for those wanting to escape the seaside bustle.

Getting here is straightforward enough via the Newport to Sandown railway line, though most visitors arrive by car via the Cowes or Portsmouth ferries. The town sits roughly halfway down the island's eastern edge, making it a sensible base for exploring both the northern villages and the southern coast around Ventnor.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense - you get the best of both worlds with easy beach access and countryside on the doorstep. Isle of Wight Coastal Park, with its solid 4.2-star rating, suggests visitors appreciate having a proper base while exploring this gentler corner of the island.