South of the Island Wight

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Sheltered in a beautiful bay, Sandown is famed for its golden sand beach, traditional seafront and the amusement filled Sandown Pier.

With one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils anywhere in the world, the Isle of Wight has been dubbed 'Dinosaur Island'. The area around Sandown Bay is a fun place for fossil hunting, so with a keen eye you could be leaving with a very special, very old souvenir.

Shanklin is a popular seaside resort located on the east coast's Sandown Bay. The sandy beach, its Old Village and a wooded ravine, Shanklin Chine, are its main attractions. The esplanade along the beach is occupied by hotels and restaurants for the most part, and is one of the most tourist-oriented parts of the town. The other is the Old Village, at the top of Shanklin Chine.

With its charming thatched-roofed cottages, delightful medieval church and a winding main street lined with tearooms, Godshill is the quintessential English Village.

The village itself is host to many attractions including the Model Village, which depicts the entire area in miniature and The Old Smithy, a former blacksmiths forge, which is now a tearoom, gift shop and fashion boutique.

With its warm microclimate, Ventnor is one of Britain's most famous Victorian health resorts.

A wonderful suntrap, the part sand, part shingle beach is great for sunbathing and swimming. With pubs and cafes dotted along the seafront, refreshments are never far away.

Housed in charming Victorian buildings, Ventnor's friendly pubs and restaurants are a relaxing place for a meal or a beer from Ventnor's very own brewery. Take time out to shop for souvenirs or antiques. Then enjoy some peace and quiet in the tranquil Botanic Gardens, a 22-acre sub-tropical paradise.

Stroll along the sea wall past the coves and Victorian mansions of the Undercliff to Bonchurch; a stunning and secluded beach where Charles Dickens once stayed. Hike west to visit one of the Island's hidden gems, Steephill Cove, or walk along the high cliffs of St Lawrence overlooking woodland and an exposed rocky beach.

Cottages in the South of the Island