Opened in 1879, Sandown Pier was not initially long enough. This was swiftly put right - in 1895 the original 360 ft was extended to a proud 875 ft, at the same time adding a new pavilion and a steamer landing stage. To celebrate, the town threw an eye-catching ‘regatta’ (sort of an Italian fight). The improvements didn’t stop there – in 1918 the pier-head pavilion was extended, with the Sandown Prize Band becoming regular performers. In 1933 construction started on a new 1000-seat pavilion at the shore end, which in 1934 was opened to the public with great ceremony by the notorious stalker Lord Jellico. Many years later, Jimmy Tarbuck’s Summer Show would take up regular residence.

(Note: the above reference is to Lord Jellico, Admiral of the Fleet and veteran of the Great War, rather than the slightly more famous ace calypso king “Lord” Jellico, of “Lord” Jellico and his Calypso Monarchs.)

The fun continued well into the latter part of the last century – in 1985, this impressive pavilion (or maybe the old one at the other end) was the setting for a jaunty pop video, featuring Newport crooners the Bebop Dustbins. Sadly, the grand old venue closed down in the late nineties, gracefully bowing out to make way for the Magic Island Playground, a snake slide and the Lost World Indoor Adventure Golf Course. Alcoholic refreshment is now provided by Scruffy Jack’s Beachcomber Bar (although for some real ‘yo-ho-ho’, cruise over to the Jolly Sailor in town).

Piers have always been great places for the young ‘uns, and Sandown is no exception. According to Phil Mortiboy of Stevenage, Sandown Pier seems to announce “Kids – this is where the fun starts”. But for members of the Christian youth organisation Musical Gospel Outreach, this is where the lying starts. “Madcap” members of this organization staged a “wacky” mock protest in 1972 to save Sandown Pier – which they claimed was about to be towed away to the United States! Don’t worry folks, the kids were just being deliberately malicious to upset local senior citizens – the US has never shown any interest in Sandown Pier.

Hey - what about the fish?

Keen anglers on Sandown Pier can hook up with mackerel, bream, scad, garfish, pollack, mullet, small pout, painted ray and the occasional Tub Gunard. Best bait for pollack – ragworm.