A recently opened community shop offering local produce, newspapers, fresh fruit, veg and milk. It's ideally situated in the middle of Seaview and a great place to stock up. They are only open mornings until Easter and then will extend to all day until October.
Offering views across the Solent, this bistro bar and restaurant has a wide ranging menu throughout the day. You can watch the world go by from the outdoor seating or enjoy the nautical interior inside. Dogs and children are welcome.
This pub is slap bang in the middle of Bembridge village and is popular with locals and visitors alike. Parking is fine on the roads nearby. The menu is created using food locally sourced in the village so expect seasonal, fresh produce. Specials change daily and include fish fresh from the local harbour. A pizza oven is the latest addition so freshly made pizza is also on the menu.
This pub is in a great location for walkers and cyclists on the southern most stretch of the island. With good food and a relaxed atmosphere be sure to pop in. There's a large outside seating area for warmer months. Dogs are welcome.
A traditional pub with real ales and food served all day. Rings league matches are regularly played and also bar billiards. There's a large car park nearby and this is a convenient stopping place for the coastal path.
This gem of a place is located centrally on the Island and offers a loving and forever home to donkeys. Open daily, entry is free and you can wander the site to say hello to over 100 donkeys and ponies. Dogs are welcome and Grazers Cafe offers refreshments. Donations to support the sanctuary are very welcome.
Adjacent to Compton Bay, this beach offers golden sands and wide open spaces for games. A Fossilised forest appears at low tide at Hanover Point and a sandstone ledge behind it offers up fossilised dinosaur footprints. It is possible to book on a tour to discover more fossils on the beach. Dogs are welcome on the beach here year round. There are no lifeguards on duty here.
In an idylic setting the the village of Shorwell this pub offers traditional homemade food, real ales and a menu created using local produce. A log fire will keep you warm during winter and there's an outdoor play area in summer for children. Dogs are very welcome.
Possibly the best views over the Solent can be enjoyed here whilst enjoying a drink or meal from the Mediterranean Kitchen. Specialities include homemade stone baked pizza, pasta and locally caught fish, crab and lobster. Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the terrace.
This beach can be found nestled in between Priory Bay and Seaview Beach. At low tide you'll find a great expanse of golden sand and this is ideal for a huge range of beach activities and watersports (great for children). A slipway makes access easy for launching boats. At high tide the beach all but disappears so it is advisable to check the tide times before you visit. Dogs are allowed year round. No lifeguards are on duty.
A few years ago, the Classic Cottages team started writing about where we live and why we love it. Over time these have evolved into the Classic Guide.
13 September 2026
A recently opened community shop offering local produce, newspapers, fresh fruit, veg and milk. It's ideally situated in the middle of Seaview and a great place to stock up. They are only open mornings until Easter and then will extend to all day until October.
13 September 2026
Offering views across the Solent, this bistro bar and restaurant has a wide ranging menu throughout the day. You can watch the world go by from the outdoor seating or enjoy the nautical interior inside. Dogs and children are welcome.
1 March 2026
This pub is slap bang in the middle of Bembridge village and is popular with locals and visitors alike. Parking is fine on the roads nearby. The menu is created using food locally sourced in the village so expect seasonal, fresh produce. Specials change daily and include fish fresh from the local harbour. A pizza oven is the latest addition so freshly made pizza is also on the menu.
12 October 2025
This pub is in a great location for walkers and cyclists on the southern most stretch of the island. With good food and a relaxed atmosphere be sure to pop in. There's a large outside seating area for warmer months. Dogs are welcome.
5 October 2025
A traditional pub with real ales and food served all day. Rings league matches are regularly played and also bar billiards. There's a large car park nearby and this is a convenient stopping place for the coastal path.
26 August 2025
This gem of a place is located centrally on the Island and offers a loving and forever home to donkeys. Open daily, entry is free and you can wander the site to say hello to over 100 donkeys and ponies. Dogs are welcome and Grazers Cafe offers refreshments. Donations to support the sanctuary are very welcome.
10 August 2025
Adjacent to Compton Bay, this beach offers golden sands and wide open spaces for games. A Fossilised forest appears at low tide at Hanover Point and a sandstone ledge behind it offers up fossilised dinosaur footprints. It is possible to book on a tour to discover more fossils on the beach. Dogs are welcome on the beach here year round. There are no lifeguards on duty here.
25 July 2025
In an idylic setting the the village of Shorwell this pub offers traditional homemade food, real ales and a menu created using local produce. A log fire will keep you warm during winter and there's an outdoor play area in summer for children. Dogs are very welcome.
20 July 2025
Possibly the best views over the Solent can be enjoyed here whilst enjoying a drink or meal from the Mediterranean Kitchen. Specialities include homemade stone baked pizza, pasta and locally caught fish, crab and lobster. Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the terrace.
7 July 2025
This beach can be found nestled in between Priory Bay and Seaview Beach. At low tide you'll find a great expanse of golden sand and this is ideal for a huge range of beach activities and watersports (great for children). A slipway makes access easy for launching boats. At high tide the beach all but disappears so it is advisable to check the tide times before you visit. Dogs are allowed year round. No lifeguards are on duty.