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The Kings Head, Yarmouth
Yarmouth
PO41 0PB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about The Kings Head
This attractive white fronted 16th Century town pub recently reopened in June 2026 and is now run by a small PubCo called Character Inn’s, who have four pubs on the IOW including the nearby Bugle Coaching Inn. From what I could see it doesn’t look much different internally from previous reviews, but I guess it’s been tarted up a bit. To be honest I didn’t warm to the low beamed ceiling interior of this one, with its multitude of spaces either side of the central serving area as much as I did the other two traditional pubs in town, as it was all a bit bland and corporate fand lacking a bit in character for me. However, there was a good-looking tradition pub grub food menu (which we did not try), a good program of live music advertised for Friday and Saturday evenings, and three real ales on the bar. For our visit these were Black Sheep Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker and the revisited Pompey Royal from the local Island Goddard Brewery Powder Monkey Brewing arm. I took the opportunity to try the Pompey Royal, as I had ducked it in an earlier visit to the brewery, and it wasn’t a bad pint at all. So, although my least favourite, this is still a very good pub, it’s just that I was very pleased to find that there is a fairly high bar in Yarmouth for traditional pubs.
On 6th August 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2375 recommendations about 2216 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Kings Head
As described by Steve, below, this quirky atmospheric hotel has an almost labyrinthine ground floor, with multiple small seating areas, which makes it feel pleasant, welcoming and a good place to have a drink or a light meal. There is a TV in the bar counter area, but it’s not obtrusive. The small paved terrace at the side was a bit scruffy and not that agreeable. The staff weren’t particularly welcoming or helpful, but they were at least efficient. You get the feeling that this would not make a good local and is geared around visiting tourists, an impression reinforced by limited opening hours and high prices. The ale was good, though, the choices being Yates’s Islander and two from Goddard’s –Duck’s Folly and Ale of Wight. It was good finally to find it open , and I enjoyed the beer, but it wouldn’t be my first choice in Yarmouth.
On 5th July 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3839 recommendations about 3797 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Kings Head
Surprisingly large old and low-ceilinged pub, which extends round the corner and has a carvery area behind. A fair range of beers, with offerings from Yates, Ringwood, Butcombe and Ubi at time of visit. Patio garden at rear. Worth a visit.
On 6th August 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4025 recommendations about 3957 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Ayre left this review about The Kings Head
I usually visit the Bugle but after reading this report I thought that I would try the Kings Head. They had Bishop's Finger at 5.0%, which was quite nice. I then tried the Plain Ales Intrigue, but was disappointed. Quite nice place, staff very friendly, food smelt great, but the beer was £4.00 a pint.
On 21st June 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 12 recommendations about 12 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Kings Head
With half an hour to spare before the ferry left for the mainland I took the opportunity to grab a pint in the Kings Head. The barman from the Wheatsheaf that had served my lunch earlier in the day was waiting tables and the menu layout seemed very familiar. After a bit of investigation I learned that the kings Head and Wheatsheaf are Enterprise inns run by the same couple.
The interior of this 16th century inn consists of a central bar that is flanked by seating areas each with their own coal fireplaces. Behind the bar is another seating area that felt more geared towards dining. I didn’t spot any televisions, but there was some hardly audible background music playing.
Like the Wheatsheaf a standard keg option was available alongside Amstel. The cask ale selection differed with the two banks of three hand pumps drawing Upham Brewery’s Punter, the local Yates Brewery’s Holy Joe and Wychwood’s Hobgoblin. I found the service to be very friendly and would return if in the area.
On 31st October 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6826 recommendations about 6787 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Kings Head
A deceptively large cream rendered detached corner pub in Yarmouth town, with a beer patio area.
The interior has a nesting of several rooms. The main room is in white and wood panel, with a nice stone fireplace and lots of old photos of the area. The second room is also in white and wood panel and seems to be more foody, with a stone floor and a lot of ship/boat pictures. The third room is also for dining and is in light green and wood panel and the last room, has a carved high backed chair and is back to the white décor. All rooms have the ceiling beams and all have brass ephemera. The service was fine, the clientele was mixed and the place was very busy with drinkers and diners and the music was a decent level – easy listening stuff
Beer; tap stuff, with Doombar and a decent Yate’s Holy Joe and Wychwood Hobgoblin on handpull
I visited the pub last year and wanted to go back to review it and I wasn’t disappointed. It has a good mix of pub and dining and although commercial due to its position, it still retains a traditional feel.
On 14th April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3175 recommendations about 3170 pubs]