The Retreat
3741St Helens / Sleeps 4 (no children under 6)
7 Nights from £630 - £1160
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Pilot Boat Inn (½ mile)
Situated on Bembridge Harbour, pay a visit to this unusual inn which looks like a boat (you need to see it for yourself!). A friendly welcome awaits along with an open fire in winter and outside seating in summer. Children are welcome and there is a kids menu available. Dogs are also made welcome. There are two sunny terraces at the back and bench seating at the front.
June 2017
Quirky Building
It is actually built in the shape of a boat which is quite cool. There's a bit of seating outside but mostly inside, although it's quite small so there aren't that many tables. Menu is limited but that's not necessarily a bad thing as food is freshly cooked to order.
Nearest beach
St Helens Beach (¼ mile)
The beach is a fairly flat area of sand and pebbles with rock pools at the far end. St Helens Old Church ruin stands proudly in front of you when you enter the pay and display car park with single file parking and overspill parking availabile a few hundred yards away. There's a cafe but this is only open during the busier months. Dogs are allowed on the beach year round. There is no lifeguard cover.
Nearest walk
Bembridge Village Stroll (½ mile)
A two mile meander around the village of Bembridge, taking in the historic windmill and, if the tide is out Bembridge beach. The route takes in the Lifeboat station on the beach which opens to the public during the summer holidays. The route starts and finishes at the Pilot Boat Public House, ideal for refreshments,
Nearest town
St Helens (¾ mile)
A little village near the water where you can sit and watch cricket on the village green, glass of wine almost obligatory. It's across the harbour from Bembridge on the far western point of the island so has its own little shingly beach, watched over by a shipping landmark in the form of an ancient church. It's a particularly good place for rockpools and dog walks.
Also nearby
The Old Village Inn (¾ mile)
This pub is bang smack in the middle of the village and is popular with locals and visitors alike. Parking is fine on the roads nearby.The menu is created using food locally sourced in the village so expect seasonal, fresh produce. Specials change daily and include fish fresh from the local harbour.
June 2017
Traditional village pub
I like it here. It's casual, frequented by locals (usually a good sign) and the food is pretty good for a village pub. The meat is from the local butchers and highly recommended.
Bembridge (1 mile)
The most easterly point of the island, this friendly town is full of beaches that are dog-friendly year-round with pubs to stop in when you've had your fill of fresh sea air. There's lots of places to eat as well as shops for local ingredients to make the most of your self-catering stay.
Liz Arnell July 2017
Lovely village
The centre of the village is where you'll find the majority of the shops including some decent cafes, a fish monger, great butcher (Woodfords) and a lovely bakery. It is like going back in time; in a good way.
Seagrove Beach (1 ¼ miles)
This beach can be found nestled in between Priory Bay and Seaview Beach. At low tide you'll find a great expanse of golden sand and this is ideal for a huge range of beach activities and watersports (great for children). A slipway makes access easy for launching boats. At high tide the beach all but disappears so it is advisable to check the tide times before you visit. Dogs are allowed year round. No lifeguards are on duty.
Mrs BT August 2018
Hidden gem
We booked a weeks holiday in a cottage in Seagrove and didn’t realise how amazing the beach was going to be. The water is clean and clear and as we had super hot weather most of the week we were able to swim and play in the water with our small grandchildren. There are lovely walks in both directions and the beach is safe and not too crowded. The children loved seeing the local horse riding school take their route along the beach.
Lily's Cafe (1 ¾ miles)
An Artisan coffee shop in the heart of Seaview just a short stroll away from the seafront. Enjoy homemade cakes, biscuits, panninis, salads and quiche. Pop in for a well earned snack if you are walking around the coast or spending the day of the beach.
May 2017
Lovely spot
Located on the High Street, this eclectic cafe serves good coffee and a great variety of snacks and cakes baked fresh daily. It's a bit of a tardis and looks small from the outside but there's loads of seating to the rear.
Seaview Village Community Shop (1 ¾ miles)
A recently opened community shop offering local produce, newspapers, fresh fruit, veg and milk. It's ideally situated in the middle of Seaview and a great place to stock up. They are only open mornings until Easter and then will extend to all day until October.
Liz Arnell February 2018
Great Little Local Shop
A new community shop recently opened in the heart of the village. It offers fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, bread and other local produce. This is the perfect place to get provisions in Seaview and saves a trip to the supermarket in the car.
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