The Fleming Arms, Binstead
25th October 2006 14
On an unexpectedly chilly October evening, Matt and Cat fancied a hot meal in a homely pub. Following a friend’s recommendation, they visited the Fleming Arms – an impressive stone pile on the main road in Binstead. Conveniently, the pub has a very large car park at the rear.... Read more
Bar 53, Union Street, Ryde
8th October 2006 0
Note: Bar 53 is now closed. With a large area of outside seating and an association with the long-established Yelfs Hotel, Bar 53 is a very popular venue for vertical drinking in the summer evenings. However it also serves food, and thus the time came when Matt and Cat... Read more
The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor
4th September 2006 44
On a rainy Sunday at the fag-end of the summer holidays, Matt and Cat took a large family gathering to Ventnor in search of a good feed. Naturally their thoughts turned to The Spyglass, which was the first in a notable local chain of pubs across the Island, others... Read more
The Smart Fox, Brading: archive review
Uncategorised 31st August 2006
Note: the Smart Fox is now closed and was replaced by the Dark Horse, which itself closed and was replaced by Kynges Well. Brading is one of the Island’s quaint tourist towns, where, in the daytime, the coaches disgorge bemused oldsters to totter from tea shop to toilet and... Read more
Wetherspoons, Ryde
15th August 2006 16
Wetherspoons is a capacious vertical drinking establishment in what was once a fine old department store. In the summer the vast picture windows are open, giving drinkers a view of the hustle and bustle of Ryde’s delightful Union Street, and the bus stop. Meanwhile the pedestrians get the chance... Read more
The Wheatsheaf, Newport
4th August 2006 7
Update: The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Newport was one of this site’s earliest reviews so Matt and Cat decided to revisit the venue. The original review, from 4 August 2006, is below the update. During the week, Matt and Cat regularly meet for lunch in Newport. A light snack of local... Read more
Archive review: Fishbourne Inn, Ryde
Uncategorised 21st June 2006
This review is from 2006. New review here Most visitors to the Island travelling through the busy car ferry terminal will pass within metres of the Fishbourne Inn without even realising it. They would be missing out on a small but most picturesque area. Fishbourne has a pretty little... Read more
The Bargemans Rest, Newport Quay
12th March 2006 16
The Bargeman’s Rest is a nautical-themed pub in an unusual inland waterside location. It’s easy to see but fiddly to drive to (you will undoubtedly get lost in the one-way system of the nearby industrial estate); why not take a pleasant stroll to it along the quayside instead? Read more
Archive review: the Wishing Well is now The Isle of Wight Distillery at The Wishing Well, the home of Mermaid Gin. Matt and Cat first reviewed the Wishing Well in spring 2006 when it had just been taken over by new owners. The earlier review is at the bottom... Read more
The Dairyman’s Daughter, Arreton Barns
20th January 2006 34
One of Brading’s most famous residents was Little Jane, an eighteenth century villager who featured in the wildly successful religious pamphlet “Annals of the Poor”, by the then curate of Brading, the Rev. Legh Richmond. Rather in the manner of a catholic saints’ shrine, the site of Little Jane’s... Read more
