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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Detail Pages
The Castle Inn, Sandown
Sandown
PO36 8HY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Castle Inn
My solitary previous visit here was back in April 2010. I rated it as an 8/10 and have such fond memories that I've always quoted it as my favourite pub of the island. My second visit came yesterday and I still see no reason to change my view. In fact, I read in the local CAMRA magazine that it was voted second best pub on the island. The winner was the Travellers Joy in Northwood, a pub which I also haven't been to since 2015, but did not rate so highly.
The Castle is situated on a residential side street, not too far from the town centre and I also noticed the bus to/from Ryde stops on the corner at the end of the street.
The front room is fairly large and roughly L-shaped, in line with the bar itself. Locals were happily sat at the bar with a few at tables, watching TVs showing the coronation. The decoration is still very much on a medieval theme, with skeletons, dragons, knights with swords and armour and a replica Traitors Gate with gory body parts attached. It feels a bit gimmicky, but doesn't detract from the fact that this is still a good ale boozer.
Gale's HSB & Goddard's Fuggle-Dee-Dum are regular beers. Also on were Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA & Yates' Don't Look Back In Amber & Marshmallow Stout. The latter is a new brew from Yates' and was getting indifferent views from customers and bar staff. Some people loved it, others weren't so keen. I was one of those who quite enjoyed it. Lilley's Rhubarb Cider was also available on tap.
A couple of cats were present near the entrance door when we arrived. But it was the energetic dog who stole the show. She was quite happy chasing a ball up and down the pub and had some excellent dribbling skills, so much so that I thought she could do a good job in my football team!
With friendly locals and staff, I really rate this pub highly. If you're ever in the Sandown area, it is well worth seeking out.
On 7th May 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Castle Inn
Good back street locals' pub, yet only just off the sea front. As detailed in previous review, it has a quite bizarre and extensive collection of decorations loosely around a medieval theme, with swords, shields, dragons and much else. At the back is a nice outdoor area with an equal profusion of floral displays. It now has a very good range of beers however and they seemed in top form, so definitely worth dropping in.
On 28th June 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Castle
Backstreet terraced locals pub. L shaped with pub carpet, plenty of medieval and aged militaria including a full suit of armour – indeed the left side is done out in a pseudo castle dungeon style with unconvincing portcullis and a caged skeleton in the 'exposed' stone wall. Punter entertainment included live horse racing, darts, pub quiz, meat raffle, papers, shut the box, crib and a decent rear garden. Six ales, fairly mainstream; Wychwood Hobgoblin & Gold, Wadworth Swordfish & IPA, Youngs Blonde and a local beer in Yates Holy Joe which was in good nick. Also Lilleys cider for the apple-grapplers. A nice friendly atmosphere and we had an enjoyable 20 minutes in here. A shame about the pedestrian ale choice, a bit more adventure on that front and I’d have had this one down as a ‘must-visit’ on the island.
On 10th July 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]