The Crab, Shanklin

With its thatched roof and image that could grace a thousand fudge boxes you would initially be hard pushed to find a more idyllic pub on the island than the Crab. Sadly the exterior is where the Olde Worlde charm of the Crab ends and the touristy pub chain for the masses approach takes over. Where one would expect to enter into a myriad of rambling, cosy little rooms, the interior couldn’t be more contrasting. The pub is divided into a large modern front section that is mainly designated for diners whilst the slightly raised rear section contains the main bar. Both lack any real warmth or charm that such a building should generate. As well as the benches out the front, there is a side patio and to be honest, the place is far more appealing from the outside if you can get a seat in the first place. Beer wise it is a Greene King tie but they did have Goddards Scrumdiggity alongside the only other ale, Old Speckled Hen, hardly a big choice. There are various menus depending on time and day of your visit but they are all fairly typical pub grub choices and whilst reasonably priced, I’m not suer I would to spend much time in here beyond a quick pint for curiosity sake. It’s probably the biggest tourist trap on the island as far as pubs go and will probably delight pensioners on coach tours or gullible foreigners who think that pubs have looked like this for 300 years but for everyone else, the Crab’s finest attribute is probably as an example of how to ruin a building’s character.

Official site of the Crab Inn, contains menu and wine list - www.crab-inn-shanklin.co.uk