Fisherman's Cottage, Shanklin

Official site of Fisherman's Cottage - shanklinchine.co.uk

Official site of Fisherman's Cottage - shanklinchine.co.uk

A picturesque thatched stone pub on the beach below Shanklin Chine which can only be accessed on foot either by the coastal path or the large staircase of steps down from Shanklin Chine. The two low beamed internal rooms with their stone walls and brick fireplaces that come off the small serving area are nearly always exclusively laid for dining and operate as a restaurant with table service as this, like most of the pubs in Shanklin perform as restaurants to feed the tourist hoards that fill the plethora of Bed and Breakfast hotels that line every Shanklin sea facing road. Unlike a couple of the seafront pubs (such as The Steamer Inn) they do take reservations here and booking is advised at any time of year but pretty much essential in summer months if you want to eat here. But for just a beer, the sea facing terrace is the best spot anyway, although in summer months these outside tables also get used for people eating. The small serving area does support three real ale hand pumps and two of these were in operation with ales from IOW breweries in the form of Yates Fisherman’s Brew and Fuggle De Dum from the Goddards Brewery. Both were in good nick and went down well on a fine summers evening. It is a popular place and invariably busy, but its isolated car free location makes it a very relaxing and pleasant spot for a pint.

Too pretty to ignore - as we walked the coast path and stumbled on this pub below us at Shanklin Chine. Thatched Cottage, right on the beach - with people literally swimming up for a drink. We sat outside to admire the view. Adnams Ghost Ship in good condition. Wonderful pub.

Compact 'L'-shaped building, rightly known as 'the Pub on the Beach', with an attractive seating / dining area in the arm extending forwards from the plainer bar (but empty on a sunny bank holiday weekend afternoon while from small front patios were crammed, of course). Three real ales on handpump: London Pride plus Wight Gold and Vectis Venom from the Island Brewery.