We stayed at Warner’s Bembridge Coast Hotel for our few days on the Isle of Wight. For our last day we decided to have a gentle walk around Bembridge and a rest day after our exertions the day before at The Needles.
This was a useful blog for places of interest on the island – “Photography locations on the Isle of Wight” along with this website which not only listed sites but placed them on a helpful map.
Day 4: Thursday 31st of March 2022 Bembridge Harbour
The hotel grounds overlook the sea and we walked around the coast side of the hotel until we reached the car park by the lifeboat station. The coastal path was signposted along a small stretch of promenade and then on a path just above the beach.
The coastal path may be a bit of a misnomer because of the private land and private beaches we had to go away from the coast and follow paths or even roads that were between the gardens houses.
The good news was that we met no cars as we walked along. However, we did meet ladies on horses in particularly narrow parts of the path. When we reached Embankment Road we could see water again and the small café by the beach. It was windy with as we walked along passing first the yacht club and then rows and rows of houseboats. After we passed the chandlers on the left we could see signs for the Best Dressed Crab floating restaurant. Time to get out of the rain!
Day 4: Thursday 31st of March 2022 The Best Dressed Crab
The Best Dressed Crab is a restaurant that floats alongside the pier. We were the only customers mid-morning and we listened to phone calls as it was explained that every table was booked for lunch and for dinner that day – clearly a very popular place.
Sitting by the warm fire (well really a stove) we enjoyed the views across the harbour while we waited for the rain to stop! We had muffins and a welcome pot of tea.
What a friendly place and we learnt that when we wanted to have lunch, to take advantage of the fresh seafood, that booking a table would be best – next time on the island!
The walk back to the hotel was uneventful – no more dodgy horses on the inland parts of the coastal path.
Warners Bembridge Coast Hotel on TripAdvisor
A great few days only marred by catching Covid
The omelettes served for breakfast were excellent and were easily the best we have had at any Warners Hotel. The evening food was just as good either from the buffet or off the menu.
We would advise picking up wine at the restaurant reception as you enter as until we learnt this we had to wait until entrees for wine service at our table (everyone so busy?).
The nearby walks along the coastal path were excellent as was the closeness to places on the IoW to visit.
Covid related: We were at the hotel for four days and for the first time in two years caught Covid.
We did wear masks (some of the few that did) but no mask wearing by the other guests (and staff) as they walked around and the closeness of tables in the restaurant did make us uncomfortable and apparently not without good reason.
Delay in reviews because still suffering from long Covid.
Day 5 Friday 1st April – Back to Portsmouth
The ferry port was very busy. We were directed to an empty part of the holding car park and waited. The ferry that was being loaded was not ours and we had to wait. Being early did have the advantage of being right at the front of the ferry deck for off loading once we drove on though.
Looking back towards the island I could see the ships moored off Bembridge.
Rather than sit inside I spent the whole crossing out on deck enjoying the views and watching the busy traffic all around the ferry.
As the ferry neared the port we could now see HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Spinnaker Tower clearly.
Then we docked and our Isle of Wight trip was over.
On the downside a few days later we tested positive for Covid. We then spent the next 10 days in isolation and feeling pretty ill. Now nearly 10 months later I’m finally happy to write about our time on the island.