A charming Victorian seaside town built into the side of a cliff and full of character and steep, winding streets. The town's name comes from the numerous 'vents', or fissures, formed by springs in the local strata. There is a delightful cliff walk westwards along the back of the Island to Steephill Cove and beyond, which provides access to the impressive Botanic Gardens at St Lawrence. Motorists might appreciate the leafy Undercliff Drive to Niton, stopping en route to scale the Cripple Path, which was used by early pilgrims after landing at Steephill.
List of Pubs
(click on pub name)
BELL BAR
THE BLENHEIM
HUNTERS REST
CRAB & LOBSTER TAP
CRICKETERS REST
PERKS
MILL BAY INN
ROSE
SPYGLASS INN
VOLUNTEER
BELL BAR
Winter Gardens
01983 855215
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
On way to the seafront from the town
Weekdays 11 - 11 Sat 11 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
Bass
Ventnor Gold
Perched above the Cascade with uninterrupted view of the English Channel. This bar is surprisingly pleasant in spite of a rather unattractive exterior. Frequent live
music.
THE BLENHEIM
9, High Street
01983 853633
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Close by town centre traffic lights
Weekdays 10.30 - 11 Sat 10.30 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
Bass
Young’s Special
Comfortable two bar town centre pub with children’s licence. Entertainment includes jazz on Tuesdays and Karaoke on
Fridays.
HUNTERS REST
(previously THE CENTRAL TAP HOTEL)
64 High Street
01983 852473
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Town centre adjacent car park
Recently reopened. More details when available. Rumours of a late license.
CRAB & LOBSTER
TAP
Grove Road
01983 852311
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Just off High Street follow directions past the Heritage Centre
Weekdays 10.30 - 11 Sat 10.30 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
Ventnor Sunfire
2 Guest Beers
Always one local on tap. Interesting Town Pub with one of those warming atmospheres that immediately spells comfort. Just a couple of hundred yards away is the Ventnor Brewery, no wonder the Ventnor Gold is a regular. You may strike lucky and be in on one of the ‘Rings’ league matches, Ventnor is one of the only places in Great Britain where there continues to be a league. A wonderful collection of memorabilia has been collected with TLC and will for the first time visitor pass away a couple of pints. A fine reputation for food, but make a reservation for the Saturday evening table
d’hote.
Saturday only,
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to top of page
CRICKETERS REST
Steephill
01983 TBA
www.cricketersrest.co.uk
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
In the grounds of Ventnor Cricket Club
Opening times TBA
Beers TBA
Recently taken over by Richard Holmes and the rest of the Chequers Inn
management team, this pub will not only provide rest and refreshment for
cricketers and their spectators but also visitors and locals. There is a large
car park next door in Ventnor Botanical Gardens
PERKS
formally "Chapmans"
High Street
01983 855371
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Opposite Ventnor Brewery
Times Vary
Bass
1 Local
Town local opposite Ventnor Brewery.
This historic Ventnor pub has been through more troubles, landlords and names than any pub should be expected to endure. Thankfully the very respected Graham Perks has come to the rescue. "Perks" is the temporary name but very soon we should see the original name "Boniface Arms" over the door.
The family room and beer garden have been reinstalled whilst the big screen tv, the juke box and the pool table have been given the elbow.
formally - Chapmans - The Freemasons Arms - The Lansdown Arms
MILL BAY INN
Esplanade
01983 852892
www.millbayinn.co.uk
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Ventnor Esplanade, opposite site of old pier
Weekdays 10.30 - 11 Sat 10.30 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
Ventnor Golden Ale
a selection of Hall and Woodhouse Badger Ales
more local ales
Pleasant ex-Burts waterfront pub, geared up for the family, with large conservatory
and impressive children’s area. However the interior of the pub is surprisingly
unspoilt. Good facilities for the disabled. Specialises in local caught seafood.
There is a TV in the Games, Children’s Room and the friendly bar is a Mecca
for Anglers who can nip in for a crafty one while fishing off the sea wall,
just a few feet away.
ROSE
Pier Street
01983 856164
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Next to bus garage
Weekdays 11 - 11 Sat 11 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
No real ale
Town centre pub with 2 bars and a function room
SPYGLASS INN
Esplanade
01983 855338
www.thespyglass.com
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Far end of the Esplanade, hard to miss
Weekdays 10.30 - 11 Sat 10.30 - 11 Sun 12 - 11
Special SUMMER
Badger Best,
Badger Tanglefoot
Ventnor Gold
3 Guest
19th Century ex guesthouse at the Western End of Ventnor Esplanade, in a superb
position overlooking the English Channel. The Inn has considerable character
and boasts a large collection of seafaring memorabilia. In spite of the fact
that the building has been a pub for a relatively short period, the conversion
making full use of the many rooms available was so successful that it is difficult
to imagine it has ever been anything but a pub. Wisely, the temptation was avoided
to knock all the rooms into one; instead they have been skilfully incorporated
into the overall layout. Local seafood is a speciality, and there is a small
beer festival every year. Regular entertainment most evenings and on Sunday
lunchtime, the piano with some foot tapping melodies. Vast outdoor drinking
area for the warm summer evenings.
summer and weekends
VOLUNTEER
30 Victoria Street
01983 852537
www.volunteer-inn.co.uk
Bus Route 3,3A,6,7,7A,7B,11,31
Near bus terminus
Weekdays 11 - 11 Sat 11 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
Badger Best
Badger Tanglefoot
Ringwood best
Ventnor Gold
2 Guest Beers
Built in 1866, the Volunteer is probably the smallest pub on the Isle of Wight.
It operated as a beer house between 1869 and 1871 and still retains many original
features of the traditional drinker’s pub. Well know for the quality of its
beer and cellar-manship, which have been recognised by the many awards gained
in the local Pub of the Year competition. A unique pub, no chips, no children,
no fruit machines, no video games, just a pure adult drinking house and one
of the few places where you can still play rings. An absolute gem. There is
adequate public parking to be had 50 yards from the pub.
