Our favourite Isle of Wight pubs
around Ventnor!

On this page we recommend some excellent Isle of Wight pubs in the south of the island.

THE SPYGLASS INN at Ventnor
'The Spy', as we affectionately call it, is undoubtedly one of the best known and best loved pubs in the Isle of Wight. It has an enviable position at the western edge of the bay facing across the sandy beach towards Ventnor Haven (a small harbour for local fishing boats).

Isle of Wight pubs: The Spyglass Inn looking towards Ventnor Haven

We visit The Spy quite regularly. On cool days we sit inside where the walls and bars are decked with all sort of interesting nauticalia. On sunny days we enjoy sitting on the spacious terraces looking across the bay and out to sea. It's a lovely sheltered spot.

Isle of Wight pubs: The Spyglass Inn at Ventnor
(Tel: 01983 855338)

The Spy is open from 11:00am to 11:00pm every day and food is served all day. Seafood is a speciality of the house - notably locally caught crab and lobster. Personally, we find the prices here a bit steep (e.g. £3.90 for a baked potato on its own - if you want anything in it you'll need to cough up a further £2.00!) However, others seem undeterred and the place does a roaring trade all year round. One word of caution: The Spyglass Inn does not take bookings, so on fine days, be prepared to queue!


THE MILL BAY at Ventnor
The Mill Bay is another of our favourite pubs. Situated right on the seafront on Ventnor Esplanade, close to 'the bandstand' and haven, it is superbly situated looking out over the beach and out to sea.

Isle of Wight pubs: The Mill Bay at Ventnor
(Tel: 01983 852892)

The Mill Bay has two 'bar' areas inside the main building, plus a spacious conservatory leading off the main bar where coffees and cream teas are served. Fantastic - it caters for all sorts! A large terraced area overlooks the beach and provides space for numerous customers to enjoy relaxing in the open air. We love to sit in the conservatory with a warming hot drink and watch the world go by. And on wild, windy, winter days, we sit and watch giant waves crashing and thundering up the beach.

The Mill Bay is open all year round from 11:00am to 11:00pm and serves meals every day. The pub is now under new management (2008) and offers good value meals and sometimes excellent 2-4-1 offers.

CHEQUERS INN at Rookley
Chequers is one of the brightest and cleanest inns on the island and it is popular with young and old, all year round. We loved it and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it to you.

Isle of Wight pubs: Chequers Inn, Rookley PO38 3NZ
(Tel: 01983 840314)

The bar area leading from the car park is spacious with numerous tables where food is served. The adjacent bar is more traditional with original flagstone floor and beams. At the rear, a large, light and airy dining room (The Carvery) overlooks the garden and purpose-built, well-equipped playground playground.

The playground at Chequers

Food is served from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 12:00 noon to to 9:30 pm on Sundays. The Carvery is open every lunchtime, Wednesday evenings, and all day Sunday.
Where is it? Chequers is easily missed if approaching from Rookley village - simply because the roadside sign is currently missing and the words 'Chequers Inn' are only visible if you are approaching from the opposite direction! We drove past it several times before we realised where it was! Anyway, it is situated on Niton Road approximately half a mile south of Rookley Green at the junction with Chequers Inn Road. The O.S. map reference is SZ512830.


THE BUDDLE INN at Niton
The Buddle Inn is truly one of our favourites. Renowned for its murky past as a smugglers' den, it still retains many of its original features including an open log fire, flagstone floors, thick stone walls and hefty beams.

We've enjoyed lunches here and evening meals - and it's usually the venue of choice if we have friends over from the mainland. Daily specials are displayed on blackboards, and a full a-la-carte is also offered - all at reasonable price. (We are especially fond of their scrumptious 'Buddle Pie', but shhhhhhh, don't tell everyone!)

Isle of Wight pubs: The Buddle Inn at Niton
(Tel: 01983 730243)

The Buddle is also a favourite for walkers and it is an ideal base from which to explore The Undercliff, St. Catherine's Point (National Trust) and St. Catherine's Lighthouse. It is open all day, every day, and food is served from midday to 3:00pm and from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Where is it? To find The Buddle simply drive along the main A3055 from or towards Ventnor and look out for a turning to St Catherine's Lighthouse. The Buddle is approximately 200 yards down St. Catherine's Road on the right hand side. The OS map reference is: SZ504756.


THE WIGHT MOUSE at Chale
We include The Wight Mouse in this section because it's close to Blackgang Chine and it's ideal for families. So if you're planning to take the kids to Blackgang, lunch or evening meal at the Wight Mouse will be just the job as it's a large, well-run, open plan pub with stacks of room - and fabulous gardens surrounding it.

Isle of Wight pubs: The Wight Mouse Inn at Chale
(Tel: 01983 730431)

The Wight Mouse is open daily from 11:00am through til 11:00pm with food served all day. I can't comment on the food as we've not eaten there, but it's certainly very popular.
Where is it?
The Wight Mouse is in the heart of Chale village, just off the main A3055 Military Road that runs along the south coast. If approaching from Yarmouth, you will see the pub signed on the left hand side before you reach Blackgang roundabout. The OS map reference is: SZ483777.




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