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10 family friendly Isle of Wight pubs with playgrounds (2021 guide)

Dining out with children is rarely a relaxing occasion. 

The children are usually full of snacks by the time the food arrives so they play on your phone whilst you shovel down your dinner in 30 seconds.

Relieve your stresses (slightly) by finding a family-friendly pub with a playground on the Isle of Wight.

​Our criteria for inclusion are places which have a playground, a children's menu and a TripAdvisor rating of at least four stars. We've only included pubs and restaurants which do evening meals which excludes a lot of cafes and casual dining places. 

This isn't a comprehensive list and it's in no particular order. If we've missed an outstanding pub with a playground, please feel free to contact us if you feel inclined.

1. The Fighting Cocks, Arreton

The Fighting Cocks is a large pub which is 10 minutes inland from Shanklin and Sandown. It isn't a particularly scenic spot (half way between a garden centre and a Suzuki dealership) but it is very popular with customers and it has a much better-than-average play area. 

At the time of writing, there's a playground for older children, a toddlers' area, bouncy castles and an inflatable go kart track. The last two are weather permitting, but I doubt you'd want to sit outside in the wind and rain anyway. There's also a children's menu. (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene). 

Warning: the name of this pub will make some dads make embarrassing jokes.
Fighting Cocks playground
The Fighting Cocks pub has a playground...
Go kart track at the Fighting Cocks pub Isle of Wight
...and bouncy castles and an inflatable go kart track (weather permitting)

2. Eight Bells, Carisbrooke

The Eight Bells in Carisbrooke has a large garden with a playground. It backs onto some water which is lovely but is a little hazardous if your children are a bit giddy. It is right on the High Street, and is a convenient pub if you've just been to Carisbrooke Castle. (4/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating).​

3. The Blacksmiths, near Carisbrooke

The Blacksmith's on the outskirts of Carisbrooke is one of our favourite places to eat on the Isle of Wight. We've always had good food there and it's often busy and buzzing with atmosphere. It's a grown up pub with a playground rather than the sort of place you'll find one of those 20p grabbing machines where you might win a cuddly toy. The views are lovely on a warm evening and you can see the sea in the distance even though it's some way inland. (4.5/5 on Trip Advisor, see food hygiene rating). ​
Playground at Blacksmiths Isle of Wight
The Blacksmiths has better food than most family-friendly pubs

4. The Griffin, Godshill

​The Griffin in Godshill is unusual as it's got a maze as well as a playground. Hopefully you won't be lost near the middle just as your food arrives. Again, it's not by the coast but Godshill is a busy tourist location thanks to its thatched cottages. You might like to visit after wandering round Godshill's Model Village and remarking at the model village in the model village. (4/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating).

5. The Chequers Inn, Rookley

The Chequers Inn in Rookley is very child-friendly with a large playground and a wendy house. Again, it isn't by the coast but reviews are solid. (4/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating). Rookley is roughly in the direction of Ventnor and it's also home to The Lakes holiday resort.
Chequers Inn playground
Check out the playground at the Chequers Inn

6. The Woodman's Arms, Wootton

The Woodman's Arms is a traditional style old pub with a playground and a children's menu. It won't give you a sea view but it's a high scorer with customers. (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating). It's 7 minutes from the ferry from Fishbourne to Portsmouth, so perhaps a good one to visit on the way home or if you've got time to fill before you can check in at your accommodation.

7. Horse and Groom, Shalfleet near Yarmouth

The Horse and Groom is one of the few West Wight pubs with a playground. The West Wight is lovely, with far fewer people and cars than the East Wight. The beaches are usually less accessible but are much quieter.

​Last time I drove past they had several things to fill time in the beer garden in an area called The Paddock. (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating).

8. The Caulkheads, Sandown

The Caulkheads is only five minutes walk from the seafront in Sandown, which is one of the most popular beaches for families on the Isle of Wight. It's a similar distance from Sandham Gardens which has decent minigolf, bouncy nets and child-friendly go karts. The pub has indoor and outdoor playgrounds and a kids' menu.

In case you're wondering, it is named after the traditional nickname for a born-and-bred Isle of Wight resident. (4/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating).
Sandown Pier
Caulkheads is five minutes from Sandown seafront

9. The Wight Mouse, Chale

The Wight Mouse is a large enough pub that you won't feel your children are disturbing the peace too much. It's got a playground and good views of the South Wight even though it's not right next to the beach. It's also near to Blackgang Chine, so perhaps one for visiting after a day out with the dinosaurs and dodos. (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating).

10. The Cedars, Wootton

I must admit I don't know a lot about The Cedars in Wootton but it does have a small playground and it's described as family-friendly. (4/5 on TripAdvisor, see food hygiene rating). It's another one which is quite near to the ferry from Portsmouth.

A few alternatives which didn't make the list

  • There are some relaxed pubs right on the Isle of Wight's seafronts which might do the trick. For example, The Spyglass in Ventnor is a busy pub with atmosphere and outside seating overlooking the beach. With a bit of luck you can send the children to run around whilst you wait for the food and then beckon them over. Of course, there's a high risk they'll ignore you. 
  • The Cow in Freshwater doesn't exactly have a playground but it is next to Tapnell Farm so it's convenient to visit after a day out. It specialises in burgers and has good views if you book an upstairs table. (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, see Food Hygiene)​
  • The Bandstand in Sandown doesn't have its own playground but it is only a few metres from a large public playground in Sandham Gardens. It's got terrific views of the beach and it's a bit trendier and more modern that most pubs.
  • If you've given up on a pub, there are McDonalds in Newport and Ryde, a Burger King in Newport, Pizza Hut in Newport and branches of KFC in Lake and Newport.
  • The Woodvale in Gurnard doesn't have a playground but it is only 100 metres from a public playground and it has a kids menu. The big advantage with the Woodvale is that you get terrific sea views and outstanding sunsets.
  • If you want a chain, Beefeater in Newport is only about 5 minutes walk from a public playground in Seaclose Park. 
  • The Hare and Hounds is next door to Robin Hill Country Park and it also has its own play area. When we checked, it was only scoring 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor, so it didn't make our top 10.
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