Sandown

Those golden sands stretch for miles here, with proper bucket-and-spade territory that's been drawing families since Victorian times. Sandown sits right on the Isle of Wight's eastern coast, where the island's gentler side meets the English Channel. The bay curves away beautifully in both directions, backed by low cliffs that turn amber in the evening light.

The town itself has that slightly faded seaside charm - candy floss, amusement arcades, and guesthouses that have seen better decades. But there's something rather endearing about it all. The pier juts out into surprisingly clear water, while the esplanade makes for decent evening strolls when the day trippers have headed home.

Inland, things get properly rural quite quickly. Borthwood Copse offers lovely woodland walks just a few miles from the seafront, while Gear Gap Pond provides a peaceful spot for wildlife watching. The countryside here rolls gently towards the island's spine, with footpaths threading through farmland and copses.

Getting here means the ferry crossing to Fishbourne or East Cowes, then a straightforward drive across the island - about twenty minutes from either terminal. Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. You're close enough to walk to the beach for morning swims, yet the parks like Isle of Wight Coastal Park offer that bit of space and greenery that town centre accommodation simply can't match.