Seaside Decline: Britain's Forgotten Paradise Island 🇬🇧

I was shocked to discover crumbling and rotting grand hotels and a waning tourism industry on the once thriving Isle of Wight. From the Victorian era until the only 20 or so years ago, the Island was a booming south coast holiday favourite for Brits. Now parts of the island are a decaying shadow of their former selves. There are scarce employment opportunities for young locals and a significant problem with homeless people squatting in the abandoned hotels. Join me as I discover and meet the locals.

A big thanks to Oli for inviting me and showing me around where he grew up.

#britain #streetinterview #isleofwight #decline #seaside

[olifromsolly]

Happy to have been a local guide for this, saw a comment saying I look like Michael Moore's twin brother, i've heard that before!

[purebloodnordicroamer]

I’m from Australia, went to uk in the 90s. Went to IOW for a visit, Shanklin was one of the tidiest, clean places l had been to. Ended up staying for a month in holiday season. Sandown was buzzing with holiday makers, the whole island was so picturesque, the drive along the south coastal road to the east to west coast to freshwater and the needles was stunning.
Speechless after watching this.

[davidpolkey]

Hi, my wife and I spent a week and walked the 65 mile coastal path 5 years ago. We stayed at B&Ds and pubs along the route. The coast is amazing, as are the people I met. The food was generally good and at times exellent. We left our car in portsmouth and can't recall how much the ferry cost. The decline of sandown and some areas of Shanklin were a shock to us, as I had spent holidays there as a child. It is still a beautiful Island, I would recommend any walkers to do the coastal walk or sections of it. The decline and the social problems are replicated across the Uk and is such a complicated issue we need to get a grip of, but politicians over 30 years have failed.

[bethbrookfield]

I live on the Isle of Wight, I'm 21 years old and I have to say I love it. Admittedly I am privileged to have a house and I have managed to find a good job after graduating Uni, however I did my degree on the Island and had some great opportunities. Sandown and Ryde are the most run down areas for sure, and like most areas in the UK have a problem with too many people being homeless and not getting the support they need. The West Wight, Totland Bay, Yarmouth, Freshwater Bay, Wootton Creek, Alum Bay, are some of the most gorgeous places, I would never take for granted having those places right on my doorstep.

[benhnatow]

Sandown is run down in places. However, the rest of the Island is beautiful, there are loads of great places to eat, and the people are the friendliest I have ever come across.

[paulheavisides]

My wife and I have been going to the Isle of wight for over 25 years, have had many happy times with the kids growing up, Sandown beach is one of the best on the island but it is sad to see that most of the buildings facing it are so run down. There are lots of beautiful villages and coastal views around the Island, and is great for wildlife and people cycling or walking. I hope that the Island gets some much needed investment before its too late.

[chrissheppard]

I live in Estonia, a brit. They have many islands one of which is Hiiumaa. It is a 90 minute ferry journey it costs a fiver.

[dominiccallaghan]

It is the most expensive ferry crossing in the world. Ridiculous. My sister lived there and it was absurd visiting.

[yogavindaloo]

Im 45 English teacher from Germany. I visited the island aged 17-18 and I liked the island immensely. It’s such a beautiful place.

[southerncross]

As a kid I grew up in Portsmouth in the 60s, We used to take the Hovercraft over there, it was beautiful and slow paced.

[alanhibbs]

Had many a holiday in shanklin and Sandown.from the early 70s when i was a toddler and the places were heaving to nowdays, a lot less busy. But the island has charm and a great pace of life. Sandown council really need to get the derelict hotels sorted., and ferry crossing need to be a lot more affordable.

[victoriacorcoran]

Watching from Australia, find it totally unbelievable these beautiful buildings are empty and run down. Great work Wendall!

[maverickhistorian]

I went to the Isle of Wight for many years, always to Stonewood camp in St Helens, with the St John ambulance. Truly I'm heartbroken to see what has become of a place I love so much. Now I go to Quarr Abbey and stay with the monks as a tranquil retreat from life in general.

[jonnyp]

Was just there a couple of weeks ago. Walked from Shanklin to Ventnor along the coastal path. Absolutely stunning and didn't see any decay at all apart from the cliffs falling into the sea. Infact it was extremely affluent around certain parts and plenty of tourists out enjoying the sunshine. Didn't bother with Sandown though.

[BrianSmith-ljug]

That Squatter at the Ocean Hotel I'm part gardener part Security....😂😂😂

[Boyce]

Another excellent report and having grown up in Slough and now living on the island, it is very interesting to get an outsiders view on different places. Ferry prices are a good example of 'Rip Off Britain' and I believe the islanders should be much more vocal against the ferry companies. It is a lovely safe place to live and the positives far outway the negatives.

[Gary-vxgp]

Used to love going on holiday back in the late 80s/early 90s to the Isle of Wight as a kid.
Wandering around Shanklin, Blackgang Chine.
I expect it still is, but that ferry crossing was the most expensive in the world at some point.
Same old story with this country, getting stitched up on prices.

[stewartfooter]

You did not spend enough time here, you should have gone to yarmouth, cowes and some of the small villages with chocolate box charm that we have plenty of and more history than you can shake a stick at, yes there are buildings that have been left to rot and the pandemic really did not help, but what you saw really was a small dot of bad in 144 square miles of amazing island, so glad you told people to visit at the end buddy

[sandhurstwolves]

I was born on IOW and i had to move to get work .Sandown has gone downhill but other parts are still nice. Ryde on a night out is decent.

[Stevonthemove]

Good memories of shanklin, 1977, my teenage years...good fun to be had back then🎉