Spyglass Inn

About

The world famous, award-winning Spyglass Inn is an Island family-run business. The pub sits at the western end of Ventnor Esplanade on the Isle of Wight, in a most enviable position overlooking the English Channel. The Spyglass is steeped in history and being one of the oldest buildings on the Esplanade, dating from around 1830, it is celebrating its 30th year under the ownership of the Gibbs family in 2018. 

The pub is one of the iconic buildings of Ventnor and has a reputation that is founded on good grub, great beer and a fantastic atmosphere. This is enhanced by the live music which is presented free of charge most evenings as well as lunchtime on Sundays and features many of the Isle of Wight's top local musicians. 

As you might imagine, being so close to the water's edge, seafood is a speciality at the Spyglass with fresh crab and lobster delivered straight to door from the Ventnor Haven fishery. The Spyglass Admiral's Platter is the stuff of legend! 

As you approach the Spyglass Inn, with its superb terrace, you can’t help but be impressed by its wonderful location. For centuries Ventnor Bay has been the haunt of smugglers with contraband being carried over from the French coast only a few hours sail away. The spirit of those days are captured on the walls of the pub, which are loaded with fascinating maritime pictures and artefacts and create a unique and memorable experience. 

And of course it was the Spyglass that pioneered its own distinct admissions policy, that is now (thankfully) echoed by other proper pubs up-and-down the country:  "Muddy boots and well behaved dogs welcome"

The Spyglass also has four self contained apartments available throughout the year. Sleeping between 2 and 3 people these beautiful apartments, some with stunning sea views, each have a balcony or terrace, with WiFi, all are non-smoking and each have a welcome breakfast hamper.