When you’re looking for an experience of the perfect, traditional British pub, The Culver Haven Inn pretty much ticks all the boxes.
Family-run and offering fabulous menus and a wide choice of real ales, this traditional free house is set in the stunning surroundings of Culver Down, between Sandown and Bembridge.
The pub has been owned and run since 2014 by husband and wife team Tim and Kate Green, who live upstairs with their two children Bella and Joseph and the family’s Cockapoo Humphrey – a favourite furry face to many of the diners and locals.
Living on-site means that the Greens are always around: Tim is in charge of the bar, and will ensure your pint is always poured perfectly – having had 25 years of experience behind the bar and running a large pub in the centre of the Island, before making the leap to owning and running the Culver Haven.
As well as working behind the bar and meeting and greeting customers, landlady Kate’s role is primarily in the kitchen, working with cold food and putting together her pride and joy – the classic ploughman’s lunch. Kate works with the chefs to come up with ideas for fantastic desserts, as well as the special ice cream sundaes.
The pub itself features several rooms – all of which benefit from the stunning sea views the location has to offer. The windows of the main room look out to 270° views of the surrounding sea, but none more so than the ‘View Room’, a unique alcove housing a table for six which is hexagonal and has windows around the whole area. Whenever you visit, rain or shine, you’ll be guaranteed a panoramic view of the sea off of the north east of the Island.
Outside is a quaint patio area with picnic benches and colourful umbrellas, overlooking Bembridge, the Yarborough monument, and the surrounding sea. On a hot summer’s day there’s no nicer place for a refreshing pint.
When it comes to food, the Culver Haven’s small team of three chefs, led by head chef Paul Maguire, work hard to make sure your lunch or dinner is enjoyable and tasty.
Whether you fancy a hearty serving of the best-selling homemade steak and ale pie, made with Island beef, or something lighter such as the popular prawn salad, the main menu has a variety of dishes to suit any appetite.
Traditional pub dishes and favourites made with local ingredients can be found under the ‘Main Courses’ section, and as well as the tasty range of pub grub and light dishes in the main menu, they also serve a delicious array of daily specials created by the head chef. Between 12 noon and 2:30pm you can choose from a range of sandwiches, all freshly made to order, and served with a side of French fries and a salad garnish.
Meanwhile, the bar at The Culver Haven is stocked with a huge choice of drinks, and landlord Tim takes great pride in his cellar and beer store, making sure that all drinks are kept to the best they can possibly be.
Being a free house, The Culver Haven Inn is well known for its wide choice of real ales, and the four real ale pumps take centre stage on the bar.
The pub often stages events, which are always worth a visit: previously these have included quiz nights, a murder mystery dinner, and a wine tasting evening with a six-course taster meal to accompany each libation.
Not surprisingly the Culver Haven is also especially popular with walkers heading out along the many walking routes leading from Bembridge and Sandown.
But whether you walk, ride, drive or cycle, all roads most definitely lead to this great British pub!
Find The Culver Haven Inn at the top of Culver Down, PO33 8QT, call 01983 406107 or visit the website: www.culverhaveninn.com