The Bonchurch Inn, Bonchurch

Tucked away small pub whose interior has not changed in many years, outdoor seating with patio and sun lounge as well as a family room and restaurant - all spread around a sheltered courtyard. This old coaching Inn is snuggled below a steep, rocky slope. Do you fancy somewhere unusual? - then try this one! Real ale served from wooden casks behind the bar. Quiet location. Very limited parking within the courtyard but parking available nearby. Food also - unfortunatly we did not get the opportunity to sample. PO38 1NU

Visit: http://www.bonchurch-inn.co.uk/index.htm

The Red Lion, Freshwater

Just slightly off the main track through Freshwater this small interior sized pub is set in a picturesque location and the surrounding area is quiet. Large rear garden sectioned off into two parts the last backing onto fields. Medium sized car park with limited parking nearby. A good walk and cycle route along an old railway line starts from here! Food also. Mobile phone fine if yours goes off - proceeds to charity. No under 10 year olds within the pub , although they are welcome in the garden. Worth looking for - we have missed this for many years... PO40 9BP

The Vine Inn, St Helens

Nice pub overlooking the large village green of St Helens. Large interior with small amount of seating at the front and rear. Food also. Campsites nearby as well as St. Helens beach. Small rear car park, extra parking available nearby. PO33 1UJ

Dairyman's Daughter, Arreton Barns

Traditional style country pub set in the middle of Arreton Barns Craft village. Live entertainment most nights in peak season. Large outdoor patio area when the weather is fine as well as a conservatory. Memorabilia and stuffed animals amongst oak beams and old style furniture. Medium and large car park nearby. PO30 3AA

The Pointer Inn, Newchurch

This medium sized pub is set in a quiet location in the village of Newchurch. This pub has a deceptively large rear garden overlooking fields as well as a few patio areas for customers to enjoy on a fine day. Some of the garden is 'hidden' - you cannot see it till you venture down to the bottom, good for families. Also recommended for food. Medium/large sized car park. Garlic Farm is nearby. PO36 ONN

Visit: http://www.pointerinn.co.uk/

Fisherman's Cottage,Shanklin Beach {South}

Very old and very small, picture postcard thatched pub virtually on the beach. Good views and reasonable amount of outdoor seating - no children's play areas although the beach is a couple of yards away! Sometimes has evening entertainment at peak season, no car park - park nearby on The Esplanade or a bit further in a car park, all pay and display. No road access either, the nearest drop off point is at the end of The Esplanade 50m away. Also good for Food. This pub is not open all year. PO37 6BN

The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor Esplanade

Quite a few small rooms are contained within this pub of real character. Lots of sea faring memorabilia and entertainment most evenings at peak season. Excellent sea views from two outdoor terraces and one Boathouse suitable for families. However the lower of the two terraces is not suitable for small children due to a reasonable drop beyond onto rocks. Also excellent for FOOD. Good for families in The Boathouse or terraces. Winner of several awards including the overall Best Island Pub 2005 by Wightlink. See also Pubs for Food section. PO38 1JX

Visit: http://www.thespyglass.com/

The Propeller Inn, Bembridge

The pub is on the main Bembridge to Sandown road right next to Bembridge Airport. Friendly and entertaining pub which has aircraft memorabilia inside, a seperate function room and restaurant, outdoor seating. Large car park at the side of the pub, views of bembridge airport. Good food also. Do not be put off by the unusual exterior of this pub. give it a try. PO35 5PW

The Buddle Inn, St. Catherine's, Niton

16th Centuary Inn with oak beams and flagstone floors this was reputed to have been a smugglers pub many years ago. Adjacent to the pub is a converted barn and this is reasonably popular with families. Outdoor seating and small lawned area to the front as well as a patio area. St. Catherine's Lighthouse is nearby which can sometimes add an extra ambience on a summer evening sampling guest beers and the surrounding area around here is quiet. Food also. This is tucked away off the main coastal road and is easily missed, close to coastal walks. Quite good for families. PO38 2NE

Visit: Appears to no longer have a website

The Crab Inn, Shanklin Old Village

Famous for being on many fudge box fronts and is still thatched and very old. Nice to have a pint outside in the summer evenings. No gardens although it does have a small children's play area, although there are tables and seating at the front and some more around the side of the pub on a patio. Popular with FOOD also in two family dining rooms inside. No car park - park at the pay and display close by. Pool table. PO37 6NS

The Volunteer, Ventnor

The smallest pub on the Island! Many guest beers and some German beers as well. No food or fruit machines in the two very small rooms it has, friendly traditional atmosphere. No outdoor seating or area. Winner of CAMRA Real Ale awards, fancy tasting several good beers? Then try here. Not really suitable for children because they wouldn't fit in! PO38 1ES

Visit: http://volunteer-inn.co.uk/index.html

The Mill Bay Inn, Ventnor Esplanade

Nice pub to sit out and enjoy a beer and the look at the sea. Two roomed pub with a large conservatory and large amount of outdoor seating. A recent addition is the large Pergola and sub tropical plants within a large patio area which is excellent. Sadly the children's playground was removed completely to make way for even more seating - some of it could have been left alone or accommodated. Plastic glasses are available and beers may then be consumed off the premises on the steps of the adjacent Bandstand or on the beach itself. A sun trap at midday. Also owned by The Spyglass Inn proprietors. For another picture and some information look in Pubs for Food. PO38 1JR

Crab and Lobster, Bembridge

Medium sized pub that is renown for being difficult to find. Outdoor tables onto decking as well as another area just the other side of the car park - with great sea views. Small rear car park and another smaller one at the front however a larger car park is about 100 yds away. Nice small and narrow coastal footpath with great views between the larger car park and here, or it is possible to walk the tarmac way to the front of the pub. Food also. The beach is just a few yards away and there are walks from here. PO35 5TR

Visit: http://www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk

King Harry's Bar, Shanklin Old Village

This is very easily missed and is quite unusual. It is easily missed because the front of the building is Henry V111's Kitchen -a small and intimate, licensed restaurant specialising in steaks and grills, King Harry's Bar is around the back! Small bar with two small rooms adjoining and half a dozen tables outside overlooking Shanklin Chine's natural plants and trees. When there is a live group/act the larger room with a small stage and bar are also used, and all rooms have a mock stone wall effect applied with subtle lighting - with the stage backdrop resembling that of a castle. Very limited parking and some areas children are not allowed at all {for their own safety}. Real ales.

Friday night is live music night and is highly recommended. Proceed out of Shanklin Old Village {down the hill toward Ventnor} around the sharp corners and the Hotel on your right is Holliers and if you look opposite you will see the restaurant entrance of Henry V111's Kitchen and further around the back of the building is King Harry's Bar. PO37 6NU

The Village Inn, Shanklin Old Village

Nice pub with memorabilia dotted around inside and another thatched property. Nice small courtyard at rear and this area is nice in the summer months and there is a pub directly opposite {The Crab Inn} and a nightclub adjacent {Holliers}. Food also with a family dining area upstairs. Live music during most nights in peak season. No car park though - the pay and display car park is close by. Very small area for children outside, small raised pond. See Shanklin Old Village gallery for pictures. PO37 6NU

Vernon's Cottage Tavern {and tea-gardens}, Shanklin Old Village

An old thatched property just inside the area of 'The Old Village' with food and beer as well as teas. Nice small garden to the front and a larger garden at the side with a lawned area, plenty of tables as well as 3 areas that have 2 or 3 tables undercover - handy for a sudden shower. Good views upward towards St. Boniface Down. Two small rooms inside. No car parking at all but this is not a problem normally because the pay and display car park is adjacent to the larger garden and there is even an entrance from there into Vernon's Cottage. Limited real ales due to a very small bar, varying closing times {depending on trade} - bare this in mind. PO37 6AA

Holliers Hotel,, Shanklin Old Village

I never thought I would be recommending an Hotel Bar but if the evening is a warm one this is recommended to sit out at. Large amount of tables outside the front surrounding a raised wooden Pergola which is lit at night. Here most evenings {especially at the weekend} live music will {weather permitting} be held outside. Late license at the weekends. Nothing special about the modern bar area, children's small playground, limited parking. Nice views of The Crab Inn, The Village Inn and King Harry's Bar and Restaurant all from here if sat outside facing the centre of The Old Village. PO37 6NU

Visit: http://www.holliershotel.co.uk/homepage.htm

The Yarbridge Inn, Yarbridge near Brading

This used to be a railway enthusiast pub that had many memorabilia from the past when the Islands Railway used to be three times the size it is now, and present. Outdoor seating area on raised decking, medium sized car park.  After being closed and up for sale, it has re-opened just before Christmas 2010, more accurate details to follow once this establishment has been revisited. PO36 OAA

Visit: awaiting new website address

The High Down Inn,, Totland

Medium sized pub which has a large rear garden with pond and car park with splendid surrounding countryside and The Tennyson monument is just up the road. It is very peaceful here. Reasonable amount of outdoor seating available around the back with a children's adventure climbing frame. Can be a bit difficult to find. PO39 OHY

Fancy a walk up Tennyson Down to the memorial? Have a look here. Visit: http://www.highdowninn.com/

The Driftwood Beach Bar, Sandown beach

This is the only licensed bar on the beach on The Isle of Wight. It serves hot food and drinks all day, right off the hot sand!! Although not strictly a pub this bar is quite unique and has outdoor tables in which you can enjoy the weather whilst having a beer. Car parking is adjacent along the Esplanade. They also have a good website with a multi view live webcam! Music and entertainment provided during the summer. PO36 8AT

Visit: http://www.driftwoodbeachbar.com/index.html See Sandown beach gallery for some more pictures of this great area.

The Ale and Oyster, Ventnor Esplanade

This ex Hotel has now become a public house with a recent name change from The Richmond Arms and this fact is welcomed to help with the very busy meal times at the other two pubs on The Esplanade. Food also. No children's play area, but nice {although a small amount of} outdoor seating with great Esplanade/sea views. PO38 1JX

The Taverners, Godshill

This used to be The Cask and Taverners and has had a refurbishment inside and out. Nice childrens play area around the back with outdoor seating, as well as a couple of patio areas quite good for families. Limited small car park although plenty of spaces are available in the main car park of Godshill {free}. Main entrance is at the side. Highly recommended for Food also, handy when The Griffin is too busy for comfort. Do not be put off by the front room which is very close to the road. PO38 3HZ

Visit: http://www.thetavernersgodshill.co.uk/

The Steamer Inn, Shanklin Esplanade

Located near to the end of The Esplanade with sea views and a generous amount of outdoor seating catching the best of the sun, and the beach is just a few yards away. Large single roomed pub with no children's play areas. Owned by The Spyglass Inn proprietors and has a similar menu. No car park, park on the esplanade or one of 3 car parks {pay and display}. See Picture. PO37 6BS

Visit: www.thesteamer.co.uk/index.html

The Crown Inn, Shorwell

Quite a large pub set in a quiet and small village with a stream running through the pubs large rear garden.  Children's play area and plenty of outdoor seating with the option of feeding the local doves, and many large fish occupy the stream, fish food may be purchased from the pub. Providing they have not been fed recently feeding hungry fish fascinated my children for quite some time. Nice interior, large car park. Good for families. PO30 3JZ

Visit: http://www.crowninnshorwell.co.uk/index.asp

The Blacksmiths Arms, Calbourne

Medium sized multi roomed pub with a traditional feel to it. Set in splendid countryside with fantastic views and fresh air around here. Surrounded by fields this now has two small to medium sized car parks, outdoor seating area and patio as well as a lower childrens play area and adventure playground. Food also. Surrounding area is quiet here. Situated on the B3401 Calbourne to Carrisbrooke road. PO30 5SS

Visit: http://www.blacksmithsarms-iow.co.uk/