The six worst places on the Isle of Wight

This week we visited the Isle of Wight because it was chosen by you the Turdtowns fans. We went into this one unsure if it would actually be bad. Enough people told me it was horrible on the island nowadays so we had to visit and find out for ourselves. What we found out was that on the whole it’s a pretty nice place to live but it’s an expensive place to live. There is really only one proper a Turdtown on the island so stay tuned for number one on our list!

[@Kingofgibraltar]

A Cheaper ferry service would get more people coming in.

[@elcortez5434]

Why would we want to visit a turdtown

[@guidelineuk4876]

Very sad when I went online and looked it up....

[@troydeeney9]

It is a rip off! Even Gosport ferry takes the P!

[@stellaasmrandrews985]

It’s an expensive crossings

[@elixier33]

I honestly don't think it's that expensive and that much of a big deal. I ride a motorcycle so I'm bringing a vehicle with me and it's still not that expensive so really don't know what people are complaining about.

[@ashsphotolounge]

I was born and raised in Sandown but have lived in London for the last 30 years. I find it supremely painful to go back to what used to be a vibrant holiday resort. It used to have multiple nightclubs, tons of stuff for kids and young people to do, good shopping, great pubs, and a super friendly atmosphere. Carnival and Regatta in the summer - a bit sleepy but pleasant in the winter. My home town for all my formative years - the Commercial pub my local when I was (almost) old enough to drink. Now Sandown is like a disgusting rotten tooth, full of decay and crumbling with nobody seeming to care. The people who are left are either too old to move away or too apathetic to care what a cesspit such a lovely little seaside town has turned into. As someone else said, the disgusting greed of the ferry companies, the withdrawal of the little bit of Island industry like Plessy Radar, British Hovercraft , Elliot Turbo etc that kept full time employment going out of the holiday season badly damaged the island economy along with package holidays. Hoteliers also have to shoulder some of the blame - many 'scalped' the tourists during the season then buggered off to the south of France or Spain for the winter without investing any money at all in getting their hotels up to modern standards. It's not all circumstances that are out of local inhabitants hands: as teenagers we used to call the lack of get up and go on the island the 'Island Disease' - so the inhabitants must bear some of the responsibility for the decline too. Retirees from the mainland who want no progress, deeply conservative with large and small 'C's have strangled their own paradise. Sandown is rotting in it's own juices - and sadly I've seen now it so my lovely memories of it are tarnished.

[@stellaasmrandrews985]

It’s true shops are closing down but it’s like it everywhere. Not enough people visit the Island to keep things going. It’s still had good nice pubs, it may not have the night life anymore but to be honest I like that. I suppose if your a young person and live on the Island it may seem different. I rather go to the Island then Spain any day

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@stellaasmrandrews985 Staggeringly short-sighted like most older Island residents. I'm over 60 but would no way 'like' the fact that there is no nightlife for young people (like my grandchildren who still live on the island). Not enough people visit the island because of the insane ferry fares - and the fact that a largely retired actively voting population wants to keep the Island in some bizarre 1950s time-warp - except not one where anyone young can afford a house or find a job though.

[@stellaasmrandrews985]

@The Photo Lounge Sorry but I love it there

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@stellaasmrandrews985 I love the island too - parts of my family can be traced back close to 400 years farming the land around Newchurch and Alverstone. Of course that is long past now as the farm is broken up and sold. My parents owned a guest house in Sandown and I remember the excitement of going onto the seafront to watch the Regatta - all the stalls arranged down Pier Street, puppet shows on the Bandstand in Eastern Gardens, or the my first forays out for a drink in the Kings Bar, or the Railway down by Sandown Station (very forgiving of those just a bit too young for a pint). Yes I love the Island, or what it used to be before it was ruined by greed and small-mindedness.

[@JudgeFish]

I grew up in Sandown also in the late 80's and 90's and in the summer it was very vibrant and the winter it was peaceful, A very idyllic childhood doing my paper round across the length of the seafront. I have visited a couple of years ago to visit friends and this guy is right, It does ooze a bleak sandness but maybe part of that is me remembering how it used to be.

[@Veeger]

As an Island resident I feel the ferry companies have a lot to answer for. Sometimes the last high speed passenger ferry to the island might be 10pm which is great when you've travelled to Portsmouth to see a band who might finish at 10.30pm. That is not "service". Neither is their extortion.

[@user-sd6lp1ix3c]

They are truly expensive

[@RoyBramlowe]

The ferries are a massive rip off and a disgrace

[@mookyzook]

Back in the seventies I quite often sat at the terminal on portsmouth hard waiting for the first morning ferry after a night out in Portsmouth. Those were the days.. Somehow I still managed to fo to work after sleeping on a bench but I was much younger then 🤣

[@SutekhTheDestroyer]

I grew up on the Island and only moved away about 5 years ago. Sandown deserves its TT status, but it never used to be like that; when I was young it was _rammed_ during the summer. All the shops would stay open until 9 or 10pm, the guest houses were thriving, and there were far more arcades and way fewer boarded-up buildings. Unfortunately, the greed of the ferry companies has severely impacted tourism to the island, and Sandown seems to be the worst casualty.

[@ClaraSais]

Have you watched Jewel of the South tv series about the island? They didn’t even show much of Sandown?

[@brianandrew9706]

It was the arrival of the supermarkets to the island that started the Sandown decline i think!

[@railwaychristina3192]

Is the Spyglass Inn still there in Ventnor? The Golden Sands Cafe?What about the Wight Mouse Inn? Ah happy days.

[@ClaraSais]

@@railwaychristina3192 the spyglass is still there. Wight mouse is in Chale (up the road)

[@Levenstone132]

We're off to the IOW in a couple of weeks.Only £100 for the ferry? We've been robbed!

[@judybee]

''Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'' If you are looking for bad things, they will undoubtedly be found. But....look for pretty out of the way places, walks, meadows, copses, stunning scenery, best sunsets ever, hidden coves, amazing gardens, dinosaur fossils, nature reserves, history and best fish and chips ever in Cowes and a Donkey Sanctuary et al, then look no more! Pop your rose coloured spectacles on and see through the grey & enjoy the feeling of being away from Mainland Britain. I do agree with Sandown though...once a go to vibrant fun place, now a distant memory of times that were.

[@northedinburghnightmares7533]

And don't forget Knighton Gorges🙂👍

[@tenniskinsella7768]

I agree too harsh

[@PatCowham]

Why have the councillors let it go. Was such a nice place.

[@Veeger]

The beach from Sandown Bay to Culver Cliff is amazing.

[@lisylou247]

I live on the island and knew instantly the worst would be Sandown. The issue with the hotels there, are a "developer" buys then, gets refused planning permission and then theres a fire. Has happened multiple times. The derelict buildings also end up trashed by "squatters"

[@ClaraSais]

Isn’t it called something like “land banking”? The Ocean Hotel springs to mind

[@SamuelDaram]

Lisa, if you had to pick a town on the coast of England that has fewer problems with anti-social behaviour and good job prospects, which town would you rate highly? (11 May 2023)

[@johnball320]

I am shocked by the state of Sandown. I holidayed there two times as a child in the mid 00s, and it seemed lovely then. It was my favourite resort I had been to over my more local resorts. I can't believe how bad it looks from this video now. Some of the resorts it beat, in my eyes, 20 years ago (Skegness and maybe Mablethorpe excepting) are now better and seem busier.

[@christinelines5079]

And the people that live here can do nothing about it. The Town Council is pretty useless and the IoW Council doesn't seem interested in doing anything by way of legal action or enforcement. The Island has so much natural beauty and if you really want to make the most of living here, you have to access that and all the opportunities it provides. Sailing (you can crew if you don't own a boat); sea-swimming on a huge choice of gorgeous beaches; walking in the bluebell woods, over the downs, exploring the 500 miles of footpaths.

[@paul1963]

@@christinelines5079 the town councils are a large contributing factor, seems they have no power against these building owners to force them to improve their property, rather than sit back and let the decay set in. I live in Ryde and overlook the Old Royal York Hotel which gets worse by the day.

[@Fagan6342]

The video has had an effect. Since it hit the local papers I've never seen so many shops with scaffold up getting done up in Newport. Obviously the council has taken the shop owners to task on the poor state of the buildings.

[@Veeger]

I believe this is from the levelling up fund. £20 million being used to make shop windows look nicer.

[@andrewhutchinson36]

Both Wroxall and Ventnor could be dramatically improved if the railway from Ryde was reopened. Just a few years ago there seemed a real chance this could happen using "reverse Beeching" funds the government made available. But local people seemed to oppose it - wanting to keep part of the old line as a foorpath. Seems to sum up the attitude of the whole island.

[@Foxys1974]

Just booked a holiday to tenerife yesterday, for next month. So while watching this, I thought I’d see how much it would cost for the same dates, two weeks in the isle of white. Starts at £1,488 to £9,000! That’s accommodation only. My two weeks in Tenerife in a really nice apartment I’ve stayed in before, is only £600, and flights £250… no wonder tourist are not flocking there anymore. It’s cheaper to go abroad.

[@Turdtowns]

Just shouldn’t be that way. Check out the blue cactus bar on the seafront. Best cocktails in Tenerife!

[@indefence7214]

Wow! That's incredible. I can never find deals like that. Please, please, and pretty please. Is there any chance of a link for that holiday?😂

[@troydeeney9]

You not go to Gosport mainland facing IOW

[@wighteggy7927]

I am embarrassed that people pay an absolute ransom for the ferry and a shit caravan or hotel over here. Then everything else is dear as well.

[@lldiddy5827]

@@indefence7214 Yeah @foxys1974 should become a travel agent with deals like that!!

[@Technician4444]

Sadly the IOW harks back to a golden age, Queen Victoria loved the place her favourite residence I believe. I have pleasant memories of the Island, fossil hunting with my young daughter and long summer evenings. Now she's grown up and I'm a fossil myself, still the memories last forever...

[@tenniskinsella7768]

If the iow so bad why do people go on holiday there

[@pomegranatepips2783]

As an Island native, gentrification and people buying second homes has absolutely devastated us. Locals can't afford housing, and prices have hiked so much that what used to be a vibrant and cheap holiday place sees tourism die.

[@jamess2873]

The second homes, the 'down from londons', the non residents... Look they have their downsides and they are easy to blame but also, they are convenient to blame and they absolutely are not the main cause of the Islands problems. Cheaper housing would not fix it, and the second homes people are not, broadly, competing for the same housing as the residents. The problems are mostly due to the wet bit between the Island and Southampton. the cost cost of crossing, the isolation and inconvenience and the lack of investment in business and infrastructure is the root cause of the islands ills. Rich people coming down and spending money in the summer and buying big houses in nice villages just isn't the biggest problem at all.

[@danielwilder7835]

its the same in parts of scotland

[@CT-ue4kg]

ITs funny this isnt it. Good Place > Becomes tourist hot spot > Tourists buy 2nd homes > Locals cant afford so move away >businesses came survive outside tourist season > facilties die > tourists say "this place used to be great" I wonder if places like Padstow/ cornwall will be like this in 50 years

[@jamess2873]

@@CT-ue4kg There are some places that had booming economies before they were turned into second home havens, and where second homes are the root cause of the issues. Charming seaside villages that used to be fishing villages in Cornwall are a good example. But also, fishing was dying anyway, and there is very little to replace it in such places. But it is NOT the root cause in the isle of wight. Many of the neglected towns there have very low rates of second home ownership anyway, and the property prices are around or below national average. People have not been pushed out there, they are still there, and the economy just sucks because the isle of wight is isolated and has lost its core fishing and shipbuilding industries, which had nothing to do with second home owners coming in. the isolation and loss of industry is the main problem.

[@danielwilder7835]

@@CT-ue4kg i'd money on it, i only see the island getting worse as well. i feel sorry for youngsters on the island faced mostly with a choice of moving away or stuck in jobs caring for a retired population, or low paid seasonal hospitality work. The main gripe i have is the travel infrastucture, the ferries , Taxis are bleeding the island dry, the buses to some extent try to help.

[@aswclassicsiow8588]

Born and bred on the Island, trouble with the tourist towns is its cheaper for people to go abroad than to the Island, that's why so many hotels and holiday camps have closed, but it the same all over the country no matter were you go

[@Turdtowns]

Really shouldn’t be that way.

[@johnlocke6506]

@@Turdtowns Generally speaking many hotels, restaurants etc in Europe have been in family hands for years as in freeholders and local taxes are much lower because the conurbations they are in provide less in Council services. In the UK the business rates are very high and stifle businesses. Southern Europe, parts of the USA and other destinations also have the benefit of almost guaranteed weather!

[@davyjones144]

You are right about the Isle of Wight as few of the towns are truly bad by comparison with others you’ve listed before. Class A drugs are a problem here, but so so in much of the urbanised south coast from Plymouth to Dover and beyond. Seasonal unemployment is high and hits the locals hard as do house prices. The best part of Shanklin is the old village which is really quite pretty. Newport has always served like a functional central point with all the main meeting points for transport and services so never needed to be pretty, the legacy of which is today’s ugly road network. Sandown is very sad -10 years ago it was quite like Ryde is now, 20 years ago it was probably the busiest resort i visited on the island. East Cowes was supposed to be the worst place back then.

[@princebuster93]

@ Davy, pretty much the same in the whole of the UK, run down, like a third world cesspit. We are in the end times though, and things have defo got worse since jib jab days

[@keithskelhorne3993]

@@princebuster93 then hury back and save us all!!! you clownshoe.

[@Turdtowns]

East Cowes was just a bit meh. I couldn’t think of much to say about it. Looked okay to me.

[@orsonbear9627]

Just for the record in Ventnor, Miss Rene Howe was my first-year primary school teacher. She was also the boss of the Girl Guides

[@sniffrat3646]

so they named a road after her?

[@davidfelix2594]

@@sniffrat3646 No, they named it after a footballer.

[@orsonbear9627]

@@sniffrat3646 That is my understanding

[@railwaychristina3192]

My sons went to St Wilfreds in Ventnor. I'd pick them up after school and we'd go sea swimming. Happy memories.

[@veritasvincit2745]

Been visiting the island since childhood in the 1970s and witnessed the decline in some places. It's very sad because it is a special place but nothing is forever and I hope that the island and Caulkheads have a lucrative renaissance at some point.

[@Highervibesofficial]

i live there i am young and its dead worth mentioning we have more car crashes here than Portsmouth and Southampton because we have some of the worst drivers in the uk and we do have knife crime in Shanklin and Sandown frequently hotels get set on fire a lot for arson thats why they look awful just search car crashes or hotel fires on the isle of wight you will see for yourself.

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

I've lived on the island - in various parts of it - for all of my 72 years. All of the towns are awful places to live in or visit, though I spent the happiest years of my life in Ryde, where at the time there was a good community, plentiful shops, and while there was certainly crime associated with drugs, you knew where to go if you liked that sort of thing, and where not to go if you didn't. I also worked in Ryde, and had an office there. If I had to live in a town again, it's Ryde I'd choose. Newport is a sink - depressing in just about every way, very little sense of community, there's been some terrible architecture imposed on the town - one of the worst bits being County Hall, and there's empty property which could and should be used for housing. The trouble with the whole island is that industry has deserted it, and tourism is no longer enough to keep us afloat: we've never found anything to replace either - except excessive development of ghastly bungalows of the DunRoamin variety: where old people come to retire, a partner dies, they're on their own, they need the car because the shops are too far away, and then they can't drive any more, and go into 'homes'. Why anyone allows that to happen to them is beyond me. Death is preferable. There's stark poverty here, homelessness, dreadful private lets. And by the way - second homes are a contradiction in terms; they aren't homes, they're conveniences for the wealthy and should be outlawed; as should Air B & B. There IS beautiful countryside, if you can access it. A pleasant life can be led here - but work? If you're young, there's no further education worthy of the name, and precious little good quality employment. We need investment - social housing, i.e. homes that ARE real homes, let or sold at achievable cost, investment in transport (e.g. rail, rather than roads, though these are in dismal shape), and a university would be a huge boost. I don't see any of this happening, though - not under this government, and not under this economic system either. Why do people say the Isle of Wight is a great place to live? Presumably because they're comparing it with Swindon, Croydon, Portsmouth - towns in this country are so often crappy places to live, and stuck as we are as an after-thought off the south coast, there's no reason why ours should be any better: the surrpise is that they're not a lot worse.

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

It's very sad to see what has happened since I moved off in 1988. My family lived in Ryde and our back yard was the beach. My siblings and I were always in the sea during the summer, and we found things like bike rides to keep us occupied in the winter. In those days you'd have all the carnivals, loads of tourists, the mods, Christmas festivities, loads of weird and wonderful things happening. You could buy a rover ticket and go all around the island, stopping off at the nice beaches. We moved to the mainland because there wasn't any work for my unskilled parents. I've been considering moving back, but you've made me realise it's not the place it once was. What a shame.

[@martinellis7156]

"Death is preferable to living in an old people's home" - I totally agree. I made my children swear that if I ever couldn't look after myself they would help facilitate my choice of exit - a hard discussion, maybe even selfish, but if you can't ask your family, who can you? I have no fear now of death, just the suffering that it entails.

[@bobmathews9072]

Rob you might know my auntie & uncle , Dorothy & Mike , they lived in Binstead but moved to Australia where my cousin Barry relocated about 20 years ago . I used to love going on holiday to Ryde in the summers in the 80’s . There was an amusement park on the front called “Peter Pans Playground” , but the locals called it “Peter Pans Piss Parlour” .

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Not as bad as all that stop critising abroad has gotvshitty towns. Too

[@Casey2262]

It's the common brick and terrace houses that make it depressing. The countryside and holiday retreat areas like Woodside Bay and parts of Wootton are still beautiful though.

[@nicksteele9436]

A few years ago, my wife and I ended up in Oxford overnight. Wr booked into our room and headed out into the town for the night. We ended up in a Chinese restaurant which was actually quite nice. Next to us was a younger couple, early 20s maybe. Possibly on their first or second date. She spent most of her time either gazing at him with a glassy look in her eyes, or playing on her phone. I don't think I heard her speak the entire time. He, however, spoke quite effusively. His favourite topic of conversation was himself. The dog meat he'd eaten when he spent a summer in what he called "third world village". How well he'd done in university. The rough schools he'd taught at. This boy had taught at some of the roughest schools on the isle of wight, and to him, this was a significant achievement. We held our giggles and left. I'd be surprised if the relationship between them went anywhere. Last year, we went to the isle of wight, in search of these rough schools. I've lived in rough areas before, arguably rougher than anywhere on the Isle of Wight. We didn't see anything that we'd have described as rough. Maybe this boys definition of rough involves slightly shabby wisteria or something m

[@ClaraSais]

Some of the schools are, we also have a lot of failing schools which is a concern of mine as I have young children here

[@wighteggy7927]

My daughter went through five years of hell at two of our god awful secondary schools on the island. Granted, maybe they're not up to the same standard of violence as an inner city, but she has PTSD from various incidents in both shitholes. Many island children leave school with a baby or an addiction to drugs - GCSEs not so much. Lots of them are feral - see Newport around the bus station (McDonalds, Church Litten etc) for details.

[@ericklynch6873]

How about the in breed work shy inhabitants?? Try getting anything done Council also atrocious in ineptude manner of dealing with matters thus is reflected in the overall shabby existence

[@PeteHathaway]

I love Shanklin and go there often. The Old Village js stunning with thatched roofs galore and the beach is lovely with its own pub sitting on the sand(Fishermans Cottage) not a turd town at all

[@leonardharverson8660]

You’d do well to highlight the absolute chasm between the life expectancy and poverty of areas in Ryde and say, Seaview or Bembridge which are just 3-4 miles apart. It’s not about which town is the biggest turd, but which towns have the biggest contrast. Context in place is everything.

[@davidyoung9561]

Same with Gosport. Gosport has Alverstoke with is one of the most affluent areas in the UK and just around the corner is Rowner which is one of the most deprived.

[@paulclarkson1778]

@@davidyoung9561 I live in Stubbington, so I know you are correct.

[@danielsellers8707]

I found that with Crewe & Nantwich in Cheshire; the biggest thing being the contrast between them...

[@markdaniels2200]

I watched your Turdtown video last night. By chance, I was on the IoW today & in particular in Sandown & Shanklin. I was looking for this kind of dump from the description of your video. My opinion is contrary to yours. I have seen a lovely place. I can well believe in summer it is fantastic for families, irrespective of the old hotels that have not been addressed. The beach looked clean & I would be happy to spend a week there with good weather. I will have a look at Ryde, Newport & Ventnor over the next few months & let you know if I agree or not?!?

[@just-another-guy]

I grew up on the island in the 70s and 80s and moved away as quickly as I could. It's ideal for bringing up kids (or was), but there is no work anymore. All the decent places have shut and moved to better countries (cheaper). The population of the island was drastically dropping off, so local councils agreed to move people from cities down there to re populate (ask anyone about Wroxall, you have no idea how close you are with the hills have eyes remark). This aided the downhill decline from what I've been told by family that still live there. To be honest, I put the blame for the demise of that stunning place, firmly on the shoulders of Whightlink and Red Funnel ferries. House prices are cheap because you need a mortgage for travel if you work on the mainland. I used to commute to London every day for work and it's just not sustainable. I feel so sorry for the island and the inhabitants that remember it as I do back when it was amazing. Long live Zanies. Oh and Sandown really died when they shut Col Bogeys. That was the end of its nightlife and eventually all of its life.

[@ClaraSais]

I remember Bogeys, Zanies, Court Jesters. Heartbreaking to see it all gone.

[@just-another-guy]

@@ClaraSais Very sad. It was bad enough when Zanies and Jesters went. Bogeys was the final nail for Sandown I think. Some damn good memories though.

[@ClaraSais]

@@just-another-guy yes indeed. Jesters was my fave. It’s a shame because the younger generation here have missed out

[@just-another-guy]

@@ClaraSais I only went to Jesters a few times. I worked behind the bar at Zanies for a while, so always went there. It is a shame for the younger generation because they'll never know how cool Sandown and Shanklin used to be. I was never a fan of Newport, Ryde was ok for the occasional night out though.

[@JimboJammy]

I used to visit the island a lot as a kid where Sandown used to be a lovely town with lots going on for tourists, as an adult I've been returning to the island a lot and was surprised to see the state of Sandown on my return. It still has lovely beaches but that's it. Shanklin is actually a lovely place as a tourist if you stick to the touristy seafront where there are now lots of things to do and a lovely beach. You should have also mentioned the chine in Shanklin and the old village which has some beautiful buildings and tearooms. But you're right, as you go further our from where you'd want to be as a tourist, it does start to get depressing very quickly. Ventnor is definitely on the up, but has always had lovely walks along the cliffs and the gardens have always been lovely.

[@carlwilliams3488]

Shame you didn't walk down the hill to Shanklin esplanade it's actually pretty decent, it has a decent beach, some nice places to eat and the chine at the far end that is a really nice attraction and well kept, also the old village at the top of the chime is one of the most pretty places anywhere on the island. Having stayed just outside Shanklin I would personally say it doesn't deserve to be on the list at all.

[@Turdtowns]

I considered it but at that point I’d already decided it wasn’t that bad in Shanklin

[@LupoSolitario-rw9yx]

I totally agree. Apart from the very bland high street, Shanklin is a lovely town.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Chime?

[@gameygameygamer]

@@AtheistOrphan Chine, it's basically a ravine in a cliff that extends down to the sea with a stream in it, they're quite common on the island.

[@stephenfenwick4309]

I lived in Shanklin Old Village (in big house 10 Church Road aka The Dell) for a few years back in the early 1990s when my father was Dep. Head of the now closed Upper Chine School. The Old Village was better than Shanklin town

[@brina1282]

I have lived in the island all my life (40 yrs) and it is such a shame it is going downhill. Watching this video it was upsetting to realise how bad it had got. I actually currently live in Sandown and most of the hotels that are derelict have been closed since before Covid I think. About 10 years ago it was a great place and even had a nightclub (wasn’t the best). If you had walked down the steps next to the lift in Shanklin you would have seen a nice beach and the derelict building you were talking about.

[@SamuelDaram]

A helpful comment from Brina. What jobs do most people on this island do to survive? They can't all be on government benefits?

[@Turdtowns]

I didn’t feel the need to get more footage in Shanklin because I quite liked it and didn’t feel like it needed much coverage. Sandown really needs help. Hope things get better.

[@rob_erto]

​@@SamuelDaram I enjoyed this video but tack it with a pinch of salt, as it really is, just that! He has filmed some boarded-up buildings and put a gloomy filter on the footage. I can assure you that there are many successful businesses on the island that are big employers. There are also lots of self-employed trade persons doing very well.

[@randomhumanoidblob4506]

@SamuelDaram There's quite a stark division for such a small place. It's become a dole-hole in the towns but outside them, the villages are breathtakingly beautiful and have a large and thriving retired community. My parents were part of it; my Dad has always owned a yacht and mooring on the island is much cheaper than any of the mainland rivers and the Cowes Week regatta keeps the sailing fraternity close. I always want to know where the ratholes are in any place and so my Ma took me on a tour - it's actually amazing how stark The differences can be and how quickly, an area can go from genteel to chavland in the space of one street. The island housed three large prisons, two of which were maximum security until about a decade ago and the combo of that, the very summer-dependent job opportunities and a fairly insular mindset (some villages are famous for being so inbred there's only one family name on all the tombstones!) creates the perfect environment for social sinkholes. I think the divides are so stark because the lack of jobs means there's very little working middle and it's all contained within a small space. I loved it, but my parents were lucky enough to live in one of the most picturesque villages. But one side rarely even meets the other - Mum only knew of the worst places through volunteering with the local hospice - so there really are distinct, discrete, never-the-twain community divisions. Oops sorry - essay. But the social fabric of the island is unique, from awful estates to thatched cottages, grand Victorian parades to ancient consanguineous villages who give any outsider the stink-eye.

[@toniacolley426]

​@@SamuelDaram we work in hospitality even if we have a trade

[@antonycharnock2993]

I'm from South Yorkshire. I always remember my Auntie going on holiday to Sandown on the IOW because it was seen as quite posh. This is going back nearly 20 years now. We were a poor family usually going on day trips to the Yorkshire coast. My mum once won some money on the bingo and splashed out on a week in Torquay back in 1987 which was seen as extravagant. How its changed!

[@deanieleet]

Love this channel so much, massively underrated. The drone footage looks amazing. Can't wait until you get round to east/west Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

[@redflost]

Ventnor is my home town and it’s definitely improved over the years. There’s so many beautiful views, a nice park, decent beach. It hosts the Ventnor Fringe Festival, has some great bars and is a place with lots of quirky and weird shops. Come during the summer and it’s a lovely place to hang.

[@timmg3139]

It’s one of my favourite places in Britain. So nice, especially when the suns out. Have just booked 2 weeks in August! 😎

[@ClaraSais]

Teenagers have been overheard as saying “do I get pregnant or study”. Lack of jobs and opps has resulted in a “brain drain” where people whom want a career leave. There is a current debate over a large hotel in Sandown derelict which is owned by a mainland company and they’ve just left it.

[@Turdtowns]

Each to their own if they want to have a family. They should have options though.

[@aswclassicsiow8588]

Back in the late 90s when my daughter was about to take her A levels, I asked her best friend what she was going to do she said leave school, and get pregnant, so I can get a council house, and that is what she did

[@sandrafinbar]

@@aswclassicsiow8588 hope your daughter didn't do the same.

[@aswclassicsiow8588]

@@sandrafinbar No stayed on got her A levels, went to collage, now manager who works with young adults who suffer with autism

[@timhuggins1993]

I met and worked with a girl who was her isle of wight secondary schools only pupil since built 50 years previously to achieve a university place at either Cambridge or Oxford University (the famous one) where she chose the latter . Also she did this and completed her degree whilst a single mother aged 18 which she had on the Isle of Wight too . This now late 20s LADY is basically the most likely and unlikely outcome of growing up and being educated on the Isle of Wight

[@RedFrenzy]

worth a mention that according to the ONS, the isle of wight has some of the worst schools / education standards across the whole country with the worst GCSE and Alevel pass rates out of any county for several years in a row. that along with a significant lack of industry all adds up to the deprivation shown here

[@ClaraSais]

This worries me

[@troydeeney9]

Inbreeding probably doesn't help

[@wighteggy7927]

Sadly, more like decades than years. David Hoare was hounded out of his job as chair of OFSTED for basically telling the truth. We made a hero out of a guy who decided school holidays were more important than school. Such a shame his School Fine Refund company was wound up after he (predictably) lost his case in court. Good.

[@stellaasmrandrews985]

There are many beautiful places on the Island. Just come back. Wonderful countryside and stunning views. Shanklin and Sandown beaches. Old Shanklin, only thing I would say, I wish the shops and tea rooms opened earlier. Godshill, Tenson Downs amazing views. The Island is a little gem if only more people would visit it

[@shizw1919]

Agreed. Sandown aside, this guy is chatting absolute shit

[@burntcrumpets5616]

When i left LDN a few years back i drove to the IOW to view a Victorian 2 bed in East Cowes. Jesus Mary & Joseph.....i had a full on panic attack...Absolute dump! Drove out of there as quick as i could thinking the whole time about what the hell i was going to do with the budget i had. I decided to forego a second bedroom & found a wee cottage in Somerset where I've been since. IOW was a complete shock to the system.

[@martindunstan8043]

You obviously haven't got enough money pal, loads of places with plenty of land here.

[@burntcrumpets5616]

@@martindunstan8043 I had a feeling some six toed IOW numpty would question on how large my, er...wallet is. I had many property viewings booked on the island but could only handle the one as the island itself was what gave me the heebie geebies. Somerset hasn't let me down but I do reside in a rather upper class village full of toffs & bumpki which actually suits me as I myself am a very classy dude!!! I'm sorry you live on the IOW. Maybe one day when your wallet gets a wee larger your luck might change?

[@djackson652]

​@@burntcrumpets5616 You dodged a bullet there; you might have ended up as a web-footed troglodyte! IOW is grim.

[@Veeger]

@@burntcrumpets5616 Yeah , we could sell up our hovels on the Island and buy a mansion on the mainland the way the prices are. As your response jumps to being offensive to islanders, I guess you exude it in real life. I would imagine that is the root of your issue. Didn't feel welcome? I don't wonder why.

[@burntcrumpets5616]

@@Veeger No, it certainly wasn't welcoming. I'd not encountered as much dog crap on the pavements since I reluctantly frequented South London (Peckham). Whilst I waited for the agent to show me the property I had a wander through the neighborhood. I lost count of the amount of shopping trolleys, condemned homes, vehicles without wheels & locals without teeth I saw. The island seems to inflict decay & destitution. Thanks....but no thanks.

[@zaniadee9161]

As a child in the 70's we went to Sandown Bay Holiday Centre every year and Sandown was just brilliant. I've been back to the island a few times over the last 10 years or so and was really saddened by the state of Sandown. It has awesome potential as it's a fabulous location on the east and sunniest side of the island but the investment required now would be huge. And yes, the ferry costs are outrageous. Might as well take a flight to somewhere with guaranteed sunshine. I think the cheap holidays to Spain which became the thing by the late 70's hit a lot of british seaside towns like this very hard.

[@buffshepherd1540]

We moved to Bembridge on the island in the year 2000 when I was 8. I loved growing up there. I went to high school in Sandown and it was a vibrant seaside town back then. I used to get the bus to Newport or Ryde with friends and have a lot of fun. When it became cheaper to fly to the Mediterranean than it did to get the ferry to the island, Sandown's economy was the hardest hit, as it was mainly just hotels, arcades, bars - typical seaside town stuff. Bembridge is still a lovely place. Granted it is quite posh and expensive compared to the rest of the island. Now when I visit the island to stay with my family, I rarely leave Bembridge.

[@rocketretro7200]

I visited the Island a few years back for a weeks work. I bumped into an older feller from the Island on the same job. He told me that he had never been to the capital. I told him lots of people hav'nt visited London, 'No', he says, ' I meant Newport, never been to England let alone London'.

[@leonardharverson8660]

I’m calling BS on that. The island’s only hospital is in Newport, so unless this nameless old guy has never been unwell, there’s enough reason to either doubt what you say, or what he told you…

[@aswclassicsiow8588]

A lad I went to school with has never left the Island, he says what have they got we don't, we left school in 1970

[@rocketretro7200]

There are quite a few generational inhabitants on the Island living a good life that suits them. If the extended family is there also, then there is very little reason to go to the mainland except for higher education, employment opportunities, sport etc. The fella in question made the statement as if it was a badge of honour and I had no reason to doubt him and when I say old maybe 40 at the time. The Island is a good place to live but doesn't suit everyone, especially the young. I can view Cowes and the Solent from my house and will be at Osbourne House in June

[@bigmoncrief6071]

A good assessment although if you'd stayed longer you may have detected Ryde's strong undercurrent of Class A drug abuse which adds a real edge to the place if you live here. It can be a very nasty place if you bump into the wrong people at the wrong time.

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

That’s not an edge you really want added!

[@BLew657]

Thats a problem in every town know the UK not just Ryde

[@jamescollins6085]

Drug use is slowly dragging down this entire country. I am fed up with not feeling comfortable leaving my house after the sun goes down.

[@jimbo_1312]

That's not really a problem exclusive to IOW. The main problem is that we still hold an archaic view towards drug laws and the treatment of addicts/users. But that's an entirely different conversation.

[@seabreeze4559]

@@jimbo_1312 archaic? they create low trust societies.

[@timtimecollector9808]

Great video and very entertaining being able to see the Island from a different point of view. The best reason to live here or visit, I think is the natural beauty of the landscapes and views 👍

[@Turdtowns]

It was very nice and hope Sandown can turn around.

[@charlesteton]

Yeah, just been to IOW and stayed in Premier Inn on Sandown seafront. Used to come to IOW with my daughter, ten years ago, all the time. It was great then but has just fallen apart completely. Very depressing. The Southern part of the island is better and less built up, being mostly owned by National Trust apparently. The whole island just feels like its slowly dying. Have lots of great memories from the place when times were better.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

The train line used to run on to Ventnor until mid 60s (indeed there used to be railways in the other 2 thirds of the island which also closed in the 60s)🎩

[@lesleyj2002]

Like many of the other commenters I was born on the Isle of Wight and grew up there, only leaving after I had reached 20. We lived in Ventnor, Shanklin, Sandown and Wroxall. It was a wonderful place to grow up and I’m glad to be able to visit from time to time. It certainly has deteriorated over the years and I watched the video with a mixture of amusement and sadness. Thank you for posting it.

[@chrislawrence298]

We are off to Bembridge on Friday for a week in the Harbour. The fish restaurant is the best in the country, the beaches and walks superb. Where else can you go to see wild eagles.

[@ClaraSais]

I’d say west wight more rural

[@AGMtagious]

Great video! I remember visiting the isle of wight for a school trip about 8 years ago in year 5; and we stayed in a hotel just by the seaside in Shanklin. We did a lot of exploring around the beach area, as well the inner town. The overall experience was fun and this video gave me a slight bit of nostalgia.

[@user-tz8kz1cl3i]

Is “apse heath”dangerous my parents want to move there from Ireland

[@AGMtagious]

@@user-tz8kz1cl3i I dont think i have visited that part of isle of wight, especially since i live in london. However what i can say is Shanklin, which isnt that far from apse heath, felt pretty safe. By the looks of it, apse heath doesnt seem dangerous at all. So i wouldn't really be concerned about safety if i was to move there.

[@user-tz8kz1cl3i]

@@AGMtagious yea it seems pretty small. Where I come from in Ireland is also a small village so it shouldn’t be too much of a shock

[@christopherforder8966]

With shanklin it’s a shame you decided to only show the basic part of it, you didn’t go to the esplanade, or old shanklin village and the chine. Also with Newport you didn’t go to the quay or the main part of the high street. Ventnor has the botanical gardens and a really nice beach with individual shops. I do agree about sandown, if needs a lot of work there! Isle of Wight is one of the safer place to live with crime rate a lot lower than other U.K. places. Yes it’s very expensive to get over to the island but in the summer time you feel like you are somewhere abroad with the clear waters, sandy beaches etc. I’m not saying there isn’t some places on the island that need a lot of money out into it and the roads need to be sorted but compare to what it was like 10-20yrs ago it’s a really lovely place to go and visit

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Exactly when people do these videos they make sure they only film a bad part. Every town in every country has bad parts for Instance Arles has a terrible waterfront really bad

[@petercarrington948]

Totally agree, Shanklin is a great place to live. There are so many places to visit , including the old village.

[@boojumsnark2824]

Sandown is an interesting contradiction. There’s so much positivity - would a number 1 Turdtown really have: *A respected animal sanctuary, The WildHeart Trust *Handmade glassblowing studio *Artecology RD, a globally influential eco-engineering company creating habitat for nature *A microbrewery producing award-winning beers *A popular vegan deli *One of the last piers in the UK *A brilliant surfing academy working with vulnerable young people *A Dinosaur museum with one of the best collections of fossils in the UK *Fantastic carnival association that joins the community in celebrating the town *Vibrant cold water swimming community *Dedicated volunteer sector including the Sandown Green Town Volunteers The list can go on and on. There has been sadly a lack of vision by people who were/are in a position to change things and that has added to the decline of the town but there’s a grassroots movement headed up by some people doing truly exceptional things who are beginning to galvanise political will behind them, all I can say is watch this empty space…

[@iamgod6464]

You Forgot to Mention the Sandown Clown who appeared to two Children near the Golf Course back in the Summer of 1973. This Spooky Entity became Famous and Put Sandown on the Map 😂👍🤡

[@boojumsnark2824]

@@iamgod6464 it would be good to find more about this, thanks 😊

[@iamgod6464]

@@boojumsnark2824 There's quite a bit of stuff on Google about this Event. Bufon investigated it too. Looks like Sandown was chosen to be the Entry Point for this Entity known as All Colours Sam the Sandown Clown in 1973. It's been 50 years since It appeared and disappeared. Maybe It will come back to Sandown for an Anniversary Visit.🤡👍

[@gobbybobby2]

Some tourists do visit Newport, we did as you have to we went on foot and stayed in cowes. Every bus on the island goes to and from Newport so we went there everyday!

[@jukingabout9520]

Awww, I've always wanted to go back after two fantastic holidays as a teenager in the mid 80s. Stayed in Sandown first time, and following year at Appledurcombe (where we blew up three telly's watching Live Aid) Loved Sandown and Shanklin, Blackgang Chine, and lunch at the Griffin in Godshill just to see the guy behind the bar 😉 Maybe I'll just hang on to my memories...

[@martinross5521]

Brilliant, so pleased you Turded the Isle of Blight. The ferry costs are ridiculous. Very fair and balanced report. Ticket to Ryde? No ta. Second homes destroy communities. Wiltshite next please.

[@martinclemesha4794]

I'm depressed about the town I live in, but thanks to the time you have taken to make your TT features, it makes me appreciate where I do live. A lot of the places you have featured, really were an eye opener of the rosy views I had. Seems to be a common thread of lack of investment (reduction of central funds to local councils ?), and crime through boredom.

[@garystefan8550]

How depressing. My memories of Sandown are from the mid-eighties, going on holiday as an 8 year old and staying in the chalets in Yaverland. Sandown was packed back then, every shop and hotel was open - it was a great place. I'd like to take my children to the IOW but the cost of ferries is far too expensive.

[@kylesilk]

Thing is these are just pics of abandoned buildings etc.. the whole of the island is a nice place and the crime is so low you feel safe all over the island.. we moved here a few years back and compared to the mainland it’s a really safe place to live.

[@mitchmitchell7470]

This breaks my heart in 1982 I visited Sandown and it was such a memorable holiday, apart from getting sunstroke it was absolutely brilliant. What the hell happened.

[@morebasheder]

Myself and some friends did a tour of the whole island, and by far the worst place we went was Sandown. We nicknamed it Randown. It was a bit of a toilet compared to pretty much everywhere else on the island

[@ryanscarrmusic2329]

lol randown i like that

[@sparkyomahoney4455]

Just got back from IOW, been going there for over 40 years. I love it there but Sandown is awful now, Randown is exactly what I called it too.

[@Turdtowns]

I missed a trick there

[@DrJayLLB]

I lived on the island for about 10 years and left 10 years ago. it's not a place id ever live again. I have lived all over the island and tbh, none of it was a good experience. the best thing I ever did was leave.

[@SimonS-ph5dz]

Having recently (2014-2018) spent four years living on the “Pile of Sh*te”, I must say that it is a completely different place once the tourist season has ended. Lived about 300 yards away from the HoverTravel terminal in Ryde, but pretty much explored most of the island while I was there. Let me be totally honest with you - during the winter, any sane person would be spending their spare time searching the island high and low for something to do, rather than sitting in a pub questioning ones life choices. It is by no means the worst place to live in the country and I definitely have a soft spot for the place - but there are definitely parts of the Island that are dying on its arse. Sandown really has declined dramatically over the past few years. And yes, I can say this having been back several times since lockdown ended; like many places in the UK, the pandemic just added to the woes of the Island. Looking forward to when you twist the knife into - sorry, I mean visit Hampshire!

[@huudielbo728]

Most 'seaside' towns are similar, the season lasts four months(enough to qualify you for the dole til next year) then they are ghost towns.

[@ThatGuyThanus]

Nobody should have a second home until everybody has a first home!

[@garywateridge]

I live just across on the mainland in Christchurch and I love visiting the Island. It has some lovely walks (Ryde to Bembridge), lovely pubs like the spyglass and steamer inn and a real holiday destination feel, its has some beautiful coastal scenery, but like so many towns in th UK could do with a lick of paint, a bit on investment would go a long way. But I really do Love the I.OW.

[@captainbuggernut9565]

If you went back to 1990 you wouldn't recognise Sandown. Nightclubs, thriving hotels, arcades, loads of tourists. Tons of young people. No one gives a fig anymore.

[@gavind9487]

Bogey's!!

[@stevesvids]

Just had a week in a Caravan in Shanklin. We go every year. Its a great island to explore off season despite the run down parts shown here. I find it all very relaxing. Just exploring the wonderful coastline is amazing. Off season we got our Caravan, 2 bed, 2 toilets, one ensuite, plus 1 car on the ferry all for £90.00 Bargain.... and brilliant.

[@Rob.S-]

I do love a Turdtown. Thanks from Canada.

[@charlesross9260]

Turdtowns and Joolzguides. Thanks from California.

[@Rob.S-]

@@charlesross9260 Truer words were never spoken.

[@JackSnudz]

ferry prices are a joke, its a shame our lovely island is going down under, everywhere is slowly dying

[@Tidybitz]

I've only been to the Isle of Wight once many years ago when I was about 12 or 13 in the 70s so don't recall much about it because we went to the Pontins there. It's sad to see those derelict buildings, some of which could be really nice. Empty shops make everwhere look grim especially when they're left to rot. The island does have its beautiful bits though but the rough bits need sorting out. Nice video.

[@phil5888]

Funnier than Clarkson's farm. Looking forward to more episodes.

[@artstu1355]

Live here and you sum up the good bits and the turdyness so well 😂 Lots of good points about living here don’t get me wrong, but so many people think the sun shines out of the island’s backside. Need to take off the rose-tinted specs and wake up to its realities! ….Oh and the ferries are creeping up to £300 return this season… haha woohoooo!

[@ClaraSais]

Agree

[@c.samuels87]

Another great upload. I truly understand and appreciate what you're doing with this channel. You've got the formula bang on the money in my opinion. Looking forward to the next county. Sad as it may sound, but I've watched your previous videos multiple times. There's just something about it that is a real tonic. Hats off to you for the work that you continue to do.

[@Bromley68]

The Damian Nettles documentary changed my opinion of the Isle of Wight forever

[@brendanoprey762]

I knew straight away Sandown was gonna top this list. Like a big charity, but without the hope. Picked that place at random to stay in my campervan one night, and I was one of the ropiest nights out I've ever had. And let me tell you, I've had a few. I stayed in Shanklin and really enjoyed it tbf- the access for coastal walks etc was great, and the pubs and restaurants were friendly. Shanklin Chines is a big wooded ravine with waterfalls and stuff, definitely worth a visit. Would stay again. Actually, Ventnor was nice too. Great video. They're all great!

[@chrisw1090]

I had a week on the Isle of Wight around 5 years ago and stayed at Sandown. I agree with your assessment of its deterioration. Whilst general there are some nice villages on the Island there seems to be an air of depression in places like Newport and Ryde. Ventor feels locked in the 1930's. You really need to get up to Blackpool, Bispham, Cleveleys and St Anne's you will hyperventilate with some of the levels of depresssion.

[@davidGPS95]

St Anne's , Clevelys and Blackpool are miles better than Isle of Man

[@catcouk]

You missed Shanklin Old Town and Shanklin Chine - they would have lowered the turdiness of yoir visit I think. Sad but true about Sandown though.

[@borusa32]

I also was born and grew up in Sandown and remember wonderful days on the beach in the summer, Strawberry Ices at Browns, walking along the river Yar ,cycling to Adgestone and Borthwood and long autumn afternoons sitting on the cliffs overlooking Sandown Bay. Believe me it was a wonderful place and I agree with the comments about the Regatta and the Carnival. That was many many decades ago . Looking at this film fills me with sadness.

[@TringmotionCoUk]

I stayed in that very premier inn recently in Sandown. It was quite clear that the big white hotel had been ablaze and not sorted. The bit you missed was the questionable water quality as the sewage system is somewhat good at "overflowing" into the sea.

[@LeeJohn70]

The Isle of Wight lacks leadership

[@museonfilm8919]

Curling out some more Turdtowns - great!!

[@ascproxima]

Please do hampshire soon. Aldershot, Andover, Gosport, Fareham, Hayling island, lymington.

[@stephenoxf]

Swap Lymington for Eastleigh, and Fareham for Cosham or Havant. Or Lee-on-the-Solent, or Portsmouth in general, God, there are so many in that south-east corner.

[@jondixon4937]

Aside from being somewhere that old people go to die, Hayling Island is a lovely place.

[@ascproxima]

@@stephenoxf Ive lived in Havant my whole life and didn’t want to mention it so I wasn’t bias. may I ask if you have been there? If so what’s your thoughts on it I’m curious heh

[@ascproxima]

@@jondixon4937 ah Hayling island, Portsmouth’s retirement home.

[@stephenoxf]

@@ascproxima I mean, the centre is fine, but the Leigh Park Estate is the sting in its tail.

[@samanthaackland9605]

Lol loved the wroxall people are strange, im isle of wight borb abd breed, i live in Carisbrooke but before moved there, we looked at house in wroxall, but were told its inbred village lol so def a touch of the hills have eyes i agree, its very odd there the people are strage compared to most of the island. Only good thing about wroxall is the donkey sacuary which does amazing work rescuing Donkeys and you can visit and adopt a donkey. Sandown is def ghost town before april/ may time, Ryde you def dont walk around at night and newport now sadly has more phone shops than anything, great video ! You popped up as a recommendation for me to watch, glad i did, going to binge watch more of your vids now .

[@TheUberJulian]

Came across this randomly on my homepage and had to subscribe. Very excited for Hampshire - I can't wait to see you rip into Waterlooville and Gosport

[@paulharvey9149]

As a former Gosport resident, I was thinking that too. Leigh Park, anyone? Paulsgrove? Hedge End - and are we including Southampton at all?

[@TheUberJulian]

@@paulharvey9149 I feel like Hampshire could have its own series

[@mattholland315]

Another shout out for Shanklin. The old village is beautiful

[@ClaraSais]

There’s a really nice little place where you can have hot choc outside in the evening in the summer, think they do milkshakes etc. can’t remember what it’s called but it’s on the corner from Shanklin Chine.

[@nicks4934]

I love your delivery 😂 you will go far 🎉

[@tommyball1863]

I love Turd Towns! You seemed very restrained on this analysis of the Isle of Wight. You best get to Herefordshire quickly! Leominster, Bromyard and Ross on Wye can’t wait for much longer so chop chop! 😂😂

[@nicklumsden1238]

Love your work dude!! 👌

[@christinelines5079]

Sandown has the best beach- by far- of all the towns that have beaches. Everyone I know that swims here and doesn’t live here, wishes they did. The majority of people in Sandown feel very frustrated by the fraudulent land-bankers and their derelict properties.

[@ClaraSais]

It’s very sad :( I’m not sure what is going on there

[@hotmechanic222]

I used to work as a bailiff collecting unpaid council tax and parking tickets, and used to travel all over England and Wales working , we get sent to the IOW for a week at a time and would always see that as the best place in the country to go collecting debts because as you said in the video even the sh*thole areas arent that bad. I agree Sandown is the worst part but it is ALOT better than most places I had to go to.

[@Turdtowns]

Spot on

[@sandrafinbar]

What place was the worst ?

[@hotmechanic222]

@@sandrafinbar Jaywick in Essex, its like they got all the junkies, homeless and benefit scroungers from a 50 mile radius and put them all in this one little place

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Subscribed btw. 😮+1 It's good to know that Vic is raking it in while t'other bloke does fishing with t'other bloke. 😊

[@sillyselkie527]

Come to Kent next! We have some proper horrific seaside towns.

[@marccarter1350]

I love Herne Bay. I book 2 weeks in September every year! :-)

[@stephenoxf]

Ramsgate....

[@sillyselkie527]

@@marccarter1350 agreed! Herne bay is lovely. I also really like Whitstable.

[@sillyselkie527]

@@stephenoxf yup yup. Dover is pretty dire as well, as is the Isle of Sheppey.

[@stephenoxf]

@@sillyselkie527 Yeah, I've heard stuff about Sheerness being one of the worst places in the UK

[@lin9821]

Second homes/holiday homes leave those of us who can’t afford one house desperately in need of a safe home! 😡😡😡

[@Martin-88]

It's just the way of the world now unfortunately. You have to adapt and move. You can't just stay where you are and expect everything to come to you.

[@ClaraSais]

It’s so sad 😢

[@david45ross]

I don’t think anyone wants a second home in any of these towns. You usually find it’s only the homes in desirable areas where second homes are bought. This leaves the undesirable areas free to purchase at low prices for the local community. But unfortunately the locals don’t want homes there either!

[@ClaraSais]

@@david45ross I think that you might be partly right here

[@lazzymclandrover4447]

​@@Martin-88 ... well you ought to - but no. Seems dooming people to eviction is okay, as long as there's cash in it.

[@debsmith5520]

Looking forwards to you covering East Sussex. You will particularly love the outskirts of the coastal towns. Premier Turds, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hailsham and St Leonards.

[@SutekhTheDestroyer]

Don’t forget Brighton; the greatest turd on the south coast.

[@SaxonSuccess]

One of the great features that Ventnor has in its favour is the microclimate. Check it out, it's very acceptable. A minus is definitely the hilly nature of the town, but other than that I was quite impressed with it the last time I visited. Which was some years ago, so good to know there's money being spent there. I'd live there. I think...

[@Bertie_Ahern]

Hills are great for exercise and old age. Ask any Italian nonna.

[@stevem-h3562]

@@vanbalzup6481 The Spyglass is still going strong. Am there fairly regularly as my partner has family on the island. Actually considering it as somewhere to retire to.... not Ventnor though, obvs, LOLZ

[@stevem-h3562]

@@vanbalzup6481 yeah, probably best to leave those memories unsullied, LOLZ

[@alextaxi2593]

Ran from pier up to top of the downs in Jubilee year race good exercise

[@artstu1355]

The Ventnor area is probably the only place I’d direct a tourist too and not feel embarrassed these days! Used to have an bad reputation but is definitely on the up. Ventnor Fringe festival is great in the summer! I’ve lived there and although there’s a few shady goings on, overall it’s a very quirky place to live with a good community feel.

[@yellowjackboots2624]

Perfect tea time viewing 😄

[@pirate.the.skull.captain5319]

Born and raised on the island, loved it when I was younger. I'm now 24, and want to leave. Only come here if you want to retire. The Isle of Wight is houses, charity, coffee and retails stores... That's it. To many mainlanders are moving here or buying second homes that could of gone to the islanders born here. You can't afford a house if you're under 40 years. And good luck trying to get a job here. Too many people, hardly any jobs and yet *they want more people to move here..* Its a Joke. Here an opinions I'm not gonna sugar coat it. The island is no longer a holiday island like in the 90s, its a retiring home and a dying breed, and It's only got worse and worse. Our towns are in such a state that I'm shocked people even wanna come here.. *Newport* Our main town centre is almost a ghost down, shop closers, buildings left to rot, *Ryde* Is second to Newport, but doesn't look much better at all.. It only thing it has going its the boats to leave and its blowing centre that will mostly close down in the next view years, Ryde is gross, filthy, too much car park and no shops. *Sandown* Once a beautiful seaside. lovely buildings, clear beach, full of life, Now an eye sore, run down/closed hotels from the 70s that kids break into. The beach it filthy, rubbish everywhere and they dump sewage into its beach water now (that's why its smell and looks black, yardland is the worse hit). Sandown high street has closed down rotting shops with nothing to do. (worse then Newport) The pier hasn't been touched in 50 years and looks like its about to fall into the sea, rusted and needs some love soon. *Shanklin* The most lively town on the island at this point, thanks to its council giving some what of a sheit about upkeeping it, but isn't safe when it comes to closed boarded up shops. *St Helens* don't bother bother there lmao *Yarmouth* Same as Shanklin *Ventnor* a little worse them Shanklin and Yarmouth, but better then Sandown Newport and Ryde the beach smells horrible. The Cons 1. Everything is privately owned, impossible to get NHS dentists or GPs. 2. Rent and house price are on par with *London* Its so high due to the fact its a fucking holiday island (by the state of it, that title should be revoked) 3. It's 50 years behind the mainland 4. The IOW Council's don't care and wont rebuild town centre's or give the island the love and attention it really needs. 5. Island Roads are full of pot holes, cracks and poor lay out and haven't been touched since the 70s thanks to privatization, little cares goes into public needs 6. Thanks to climate change the island is sinking, so many more floods and this is due to old water pipe lines that cant handle the amount of water coming threw. Most of the island have been screaming for them to update them for years but it falls on deaf ears thanks again to privatization, they couldn't care less. 7. If you are under the age of 40 *Don't bother moving here* there nothing for you and good lucking trying to find a job buying a house or even renting a flat its that bad. 8. Our boat and bus service is the most experience in the world, for such a small rotate to the mainland it can cost you £20-£30 person if you have a car £50-£100 depending on the amount of people, The buses her are currently caped £2 but was way more to get somewhere. again theses company's are private and have no competition. 9. Nothing for the anyone between the ages of 13-30 to do, they got rid for most of the youth clubs, most places are for 10 and younger or 50 and over. This is the main reason why there is a big rise of anti social behaviour, like assaults, arson, stabbings, robbery, things being destroyed and more. 10. very closed minded people. The pros The wildlife The walks History The community (depending where you live) Great for a 2 day holiday

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

I grew up there, and it wasn't like that in those days. Newport was always a bit rough and ready, but nothing compared to areas in London. Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor were all popular holiday areas and there were lots of great attractions. I'm sad to see it all so run down. I'd retire back there if I could, but I'd have to be pretty wealthy to enjoy a nice quality of life.

[@matthewbrown2037]

Although I haven't been to the IoW for about 35 years I still have happy memories of this place. We used to go on family holidays, staying at the Royal hotel in Ventnor, and I just remember it being a nice seaside town. And there were some great places to visit on the island too, most notably Black gang Chine, which used to get smaller each year, due to erosion, so big chunks of the park would collapse into the sea on a fairly regular basis.

[@bertspeggly4428]

I used to go for holidays in Ventnor in the 'fifties, as a family member had a guest house up on the hill. I thought it was fabulous but of course that's ages ago now. The train was still running through the tunnel! My cousin who grew up there during the war watched the D-Day fleet leave. He still gets goosebumps thinking about it.

[@MrChimpeh]

Babe, new Turd Towns has dropped! This is becoming one of my favourite series, hope you can make it up to the grim north eventually 😊

[@Turdtowns]

For sure we’re not stopping till everywhere has been done

[@MrChimpeh]

@@Turdtowns I can only imagine how long the south and West Yorkshire editions will be, it’ll be like homers odyssey just getting from Rotherham to Doncaster

[@MrEddy5959]

@@MrChimpeh Yeah - if he went north of Birmingham just once he'd beg for homeless status in Newport (South Wales) rather than carry on... there are a couple of exceptions, but the worst he's showing down south is the best of the north.

[@kieran5191]

@@MrEddy5959 Newport is worse than most northern places, the north being that bad gets exaggerated so much. I’d rather live in York or Harrogate than Luton or Slough. It’s really just low house prices and stereotypes that give the north a bad name.

[@c.samuels87]

@@Turdtowns I hope not.. Well excited to see it all unfold

[@seanmacleod1724]

As a child in the 60's visiting the Isle of Wight was a magical experience. It was well kept, prosperous, and seemed a happy place. Looking at it now just brings home to me how things have deteriorated over those 60 years. All I see is a Britain I dont recognise sinking yearly into a morass of poverty, broken services, broken towns, and broken people. I suppose my only consolation is that I saw and knew a better, friendlier, confident and happier Britain.... plus, living by a Loch in Scotland, 500 miles from the South soothes the sadness.

[@SarahJaneWDWD1]

Thank you , it was good to see it not in a roses glow . Thinking of returning from Down under after 14 years . There are really lovely places on the island , you just have to know where to look. Ryde is lovely and good for commuting to work on the Hoover Craft or fast cat boat . Good shopping can be had 15 mins by fast cat to Portsmouth the shopping centre Gun-wharf Keys is just a walk around the corner and trains into London are just as you get off . I always thought the high street needed a lick of paint so it doesn’t look any different. If you can afford the private school is excellent . The state schools didn’t have a good reputation but friends kids who have now left school all did well .

[@TheDjsparx]

This has had me in stitches. I live on this god forsaken rock and nothing u said was incorrect. Great video

[@robbiejones4504]

Sandown was totally different when I was a child, almost a Miami feel. The island tourism has been decimated by the privatisation of the ferry companies. Every time I drive through Sandown I can’t help what an absolute s*** hole it’s become :(

[@homeoffice3524]

I always love this UK prices. 250k for bad house in high crime rate area with nothing special around. In Spain Two floors Villa with swimming pool in nice are 150k 😂

[@oc2phish07]

Wow! This is a brilliant video but so depressing at the same time. I stayed at a number of places on The Isle of Wight over the years, Bembridge, Sandown, and others and have many very happy memories of the place. But I have not been there for several years now and the sight of so must dereliction and decay really saddened me.

[@ollypolly18]

The council are so corrupt here witch makes it hard to keep it looking nice.20 years ago it was a fantastic place to be but corruption has taken over.

[@minixtvbox]

Tory austerity Britain 13 years on

[@TheWtfnonamez]

When I was a kid my parents used to take us on "holiday" to the Isle of Wight. I still reckon if I had gone to a social worker they would have considered it as a form of abuse. It is a place that perfectly encapsulates Morriseys song "Every day is like Sunday". There were a few ramshackle amusement arcades, that basically had the lowest budget activities that were capable extracting money from gullible children, the candyfloss tasted like ratshit and mouldy sugar, and they only seemed to open for a very specific small window at the very peak of "summer" season (the period when there were less gales) These days its biggest export is junkies. Literally everyone I have ever been friends with, that admitted to coming from the Isle of White, all eventually admitted to either being, or having recovered, from heroine addiction. One person actually admitted to be being a reformed junkie BEFORE eventually admitting that they were from the Isle of White. That says it all really. The irony is that in the event of nuclear war, a zombie apocalypse or a bioengineered plague ravaging the earth, the Isle of White would probably be one of the safest places in the UK although personally I would rather take my chances on the mainland. Im sure someone once suggested relocating the population and turning it into a giant prison complex. I think its a great plan, I just question the wisdom of relocating the population. Shithole.

[@martindunstan8043]

WIGHT

[@TheWtfnonamez]

​@@martindunstan8043 I apologise unreservedly. Whilst I was writing that I kept thinking about bags of white powder and the general drug crisis there... and it affected my spelling. Its nice to know that you do at least have spelling on the Isle of "Wight". Thats a plus at least!

[@martindunstan8043]

@@TheWtfnonamez ouch! 👍Yes it's true some of us since acquiring electricity have been able to learn to read books at night time and some of the books aren't even from the 1950s 🤣there is definitely a drug issue here you're quite right, a large number of residents wear the same cologne called eau de cannabis which is no where near as pleasant as my Brut 33🤣🤣 take it easy✌️🍻

[@TheWtfnonamez]

@@martindunstan8043 Haha I hope I caused no offence by disparaging your home town mate. If you ever decide to make a swim for it, I could hire a fishing boat out of Portsmouth and try and pick you up. It would be like Escape from New York. I will even let you be Snake Plissken

[@martindunstan8043]

@@TheWtfnonamez 🤣I live on the island but not my town thankfully and in a time where everybody is offended about everything I'm determined to be different, anyway it's impossible to take offence with fact, if you're offended and it's a fact that's not offence you feel it's shame! Please don't take me back to Portsmouth😲I was born there and moved here aged 8, I like the Alcatraz vibe🤣✌️🍻

[@emmakrill3412]

Love these videos though shocking and depressing to see how much places have changed. Your commentary makes up for it though and my husband and I get a good laugh🤣

[@SueCooke]

Absolutely love this! I live on the Island and this sums it up wonderfully lol 😂

[@philipatkins5696]

You got Wroxall spot on, its weird even by IOW standards

[@martindunstan8043]

🤣🤣Absolutely ✌️

[@JammyGit]

Have you seen that new bakery in Wroxall? It's called In-Bread 😆

[@martindunstan8043]

@@JammyGit 🤣🤣✌️

[@djackson652]

​@@JammyGit Brilliant! I think they are thinking of opening another one called "The Grain Dead".

[@marktgsxr]

Over population has ruined the isle of wight, 30+ years ago it was a really different place.... I have no idea why so many people want to come her for a holiday...