| Product: |
Culver Pier, Sandown (Isle of Wight) |
| Date: |
30/05/08 (69 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: good for wet days
Disadvantages: no pavillion
Sandown Pier - Sandown Esplanade Isle of Wight
Sandown Pier..... Fun for all the family! Well that is what it says on big letters on the outside of the pier. So is this statement true? Well let's see...
The building of Sandown Pier started in 1876 but it took a good many years before the grand opening to the public which was in 1887. This was a long time considering the pier itself is relatively short going out only 360foot or 109 meters. Not long after the opening plans were put forward to extend the pier out further making the total length of the pier a more impressive 875 foot or 265 meters. This extension was completed in 1895 and to celebrate this, a regatta was held for all the local people. The pier looked wonderful and the pavilion that sat on the pier was something new and exciting.
Several more extensions were made to the pier through out the following decades and the pier itself was damaged in the Second World War. These damages were repaired and more improvements made. Trips to and from Portsmouth were a regular thing with a boat docking at the end of the pier. In 1989 a fire ripped through the pavilion causing over 2 million pounds worth of damage. Again repairs were made only for the pavilion itself in the mid 1990s be torn out and replaced by what stands there today. This is of course the bowling alley and miniature golf course. Sad as it is that Sandown has lost a great history in the pavilion being demolished of course it didn't really make enough money to survive and thus the pier that stands there today.
The main attractions to the pier would be the bowling, miniature golf, children's ball play zone and of course the games machines. The games machines have been there for years even when the pavilion was still up and running of course some have been updated and the old penny slot ones of days gone by have well and truly gone. The machines make so many different loud noises it is hard to think straight when walking down and around the pier. The flashing lights from even machine stay flashing in your eyes long after you have left but in a magical kind of way. The chance to win some money is always a thrill but often money lost is the only pain you feel.
The miniature golf can be played by all it's not too much money and a good hour or so is spent in finding your way around the pretend jungle. With dark caves and crevices, monkeys and snakes, keep and eye on your golf ball for goodness sakes!! The setting for the golf when new didn't look so bad but the years are taking its toll and now it's looking drab. The place could do with a sprucing up; a lick of pain is all, to make it such a brighter place to come and whack a ball.
The children's ball play zone is located right upstairs where lots of fun can be had for those under seven. The price again is not too steep so worth a trip for a special treat. Or indeed for those rainy days where one wonders what to do, the kids will have a riot while you sip on a coffee or two.
The bowling you can't miss, it's not the average size, smaller than some in length but just the same in width. With six lanes there to choose from there is bound to be one free. No need for sharing shoes however your own will be just fine, you pay by using the slots at the end of each lane and it will set you back a few pounds per person which is a pretty good price.
The whole pier is a good days fun or maybe more like half a day. I would say if its raining outside then this is a good place to go. There is fun to be had but might as it may cost a load! Be prepared to loose some cash on the games machines but try to win a teddy as me and my partner scooped a giant tigger the other day for only £1!
All in all a nice place to visit if you can find nothing else to do in wet weather. But a shame the pavilion is not there anymore but I have fond memories of seeing Peter Andre, MN8 and PJ and Duncan playing there not so many years ago.......
Summary: good for a wet day
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