Eight Bells, Carisbrooke
9th June 2007 17
The Eight Bells is a popular pub, frequented by families and the Sunday lunch brigade. Positioned as it is in the middle of the pretty village of Carisbrooke and with a well-populated duck pond in its leafy garden, one can see why. Having wandered around inside the cavernous pub... Read more
The Boathouse, Fort Victoria, Yarmouth
2nd June 2007 6
A gentle afternoon stroll between Yarmouth and Fort Victoria Country Park is one of the nicest ways to explore the West Wight, with the promise of an enjoyable destination whichever direction you travel. Matt and Cat visited the splendid Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival, and decided to take this short... Read more
Horse and Groom, Ningwood
2nd June 2007 20
The design of the interior of a pub or eating establishment will often influence the type of clientèle that patronise it. A bar with traditional beams, horse brasses above the fireplace and a floridly-patterned carpet may appeal to the older punter; a bistro-style establishment with stripped-wood flooring, ten varieties... Read more
The White Lion, Arreton
31st May 2007 7
Sometimes, after a hard day down the salt mine, nothing less will do than a big plate of MEAT. Cat, ravenous from toiling at the day job, knew that this day, of all days, was going to be Red Meat Day and demanded to be taken to the nearest... Read more
Vernon Cottage, Shanklin
1st May 2007 6
Many tourists come a long way to visit the Isle of Wight – so, says Cat, for those lucky enough to already live on the Island, why not play at being a holidaymaker when you can? After all, if this undulating county is a good enough destination for visitors,... Read more
Tides Cafe, Ventnor
30th April 2007 3
Ventnor, once a town of genteel, nay rapid, decay, is now on the up. Its crumbling shops have had their fronts tarted up and are now home to interesting businesses such as vintage fabric emporium Suzes Room, and Sophie Honeybourne’s new handmade jewellery shop along with cafes sprouting faster... Read more
This is an archive review. See the new review here. It’s hard to imagine any more prestigious setting for a restaurant than Queen Victoria’s former chapel, overlooking the beautiful landscape of Osborne House. With this in mind, Matt and Cat explored the superb gardens at Osborne one sunny afternoon,... Read more
China Garden, The Strand, Ryde
5th April 2007 7
In the flat-iron building that once housed the Strand Hotel, Ryde now boasts the China Garden Chinese takeaway. Set back behind the imposing Ryde Castle, this modest takeaway is off the beaten track but a popular location for locals. Matt and junior reviewers Bill and Jack strolled into the... Read more
John’s Plaice, Shanklin
4th April 2007 7
John’s Plaice is a newish chip shop on the High Street at Shanklin. Matt visited with junior reviewers Bill and Jack one evening after a football match had placed them relatively far from home and in need of sustenance. The shop is modern, with clean white and stainless-steel styled... Read more
The White Hart, Havenstreet
27th March 2007 23
The pleasant task of reviewing all of the eateries on the Isle of Wight may never end; what with establishments changing their management and kitchen personnel and with new places opening all the time. In fact, it could almost be described as on a par with painting the the... Read more
