‘Truly Scrumptious’
Two friends and I spent four days on the Isle of Wight. We discovered Vernon's and ate there three nights running. Truly scrumptious food, a lovely welcome and great service. I highly recommend it to anyone, the menu has something for everyone. Thank you so much to all at Vernon's. Kind regards
Teresa Rainbird
‘Memorable’
“The menu is so extensive it is hard to know what to have but I settled for a beautiful piece of steak with the best fries I have ever tasted. After a long walk along the beach we went back for a memorable cream tea in the afternoon sun.”
John from Pyford, nr. Woking, Surrey.
‘Simply Lovely’
“The cakes are beautiful to look at and eat!. If you go nowhere else on the Island go to the Vernon Cottage.”
Ian & Gerry from St Helens
‘My Favourite’
“Have just got back from week-long stay on the IOW and we went to Vernon Cottage three times. You can taste all the food is fresh and homemade and we enjoyed sitting in the lovely garden with heated arbours and fairy lights which were turned on when it got dark - romantic. Thank you!
Emma, London.
‘A Lovely Mother’s Day had here
“Lovely, lovely, lovely. My husband, son & daughter-in-law treated me to a wonderful Mothers' Day Meal at the Vernon Cottage. The weather was beautiful & the food gorgeous. We sat in the garden with the warmth of the sun on our faces & relaxed with a lovely sparkling wine. I had the crab & smoked fish cakes, my husband & son had huge helpings of steak & ale pie & my daughter-in-law had the homemade vegetarian special. We all shared three puddings - the sticky toffee (homemade, like almost everything on the menu - & another huge helping), a piece of chocolate cake & the mixed berry crumble. All homemade & all delightful. We will be going back soon! . The food was lovely and all the staff very friendly.
But the highlight for my children was ordering 'the Volcano' as a pudding to share. I won't spoil the treat but all I can say is - it's all my children will talk about for the whole holiday!!”
Jbandvb Taunton.
‘Lovely People and Lovely Place’
We were visiting the Island and stopped for a cream tea. Vernon Cottage is a lovely old thatched cottage with a south facing sheltered garden and is conveniently situated next to a car park so was really handy for our 92 year-old mum. We sat in the sun in the garden and enjoyed a wonderful cream tea with homemade scones and clotted cream. They were delicious! The staff were all lovely and very helpful. Mum said it was the best cream tea she had had for years - and she's an expert! Definitely worth a visit!
Robert
‘Lovely gardens, superb food from a diverse menu, excellent service’
The gardens was delightful and provided a perfect choice of sun, shade or combined so will be perfect at anytime of year, including heated arbours.
An extensive menu that kept everyone in our party of 9 from fussy eaters to those who liked a little something different happy. Every plate returned emptied leaving smiley faces and no room for dessert even though the cakes looked very tempting.
Friendly staff who could not have been more helpful.
The Murphy’s, Alton
‘Best Burger I’ve Ever Had’
We went to Vernon Cottage as they had live entertainment in the garden. Had never seen clog dancing before so instead of going for a drink as planned we ended up staying all evening! We sat outside to watch the dancers in a heated arbour with fairy lights, really nice view of the old thatched cottage and the garden. My girlfriend had the veggie special for dinner which she said was full of flavour and I choose the homemade burger. It was the best I've tasted. I like a big meal and I was pleased with the price. We both really enjoyed our night out here and will definitely be back!
Troy, Melbourne, Australia.
‘BestTearoom I’ve been In’
We had a cream tea each, the scones were freshly baked and were gorgeous.
Billy, County Durham.
‘Get the Seafood Platter!’
We went to Shanklin Old Village wanting somewhere with a bit of charm and whilst some of the other pubs looked lovely, they just didn't deliver on their menu or ambience, so Vernon Cottage was a real find.
Amy and Tony, London.
‘Charming atmosphere and equistie food with great service’
A warm and inviting atmosphere with lovely friendly staff are an addition to the great food. As a vegetarian, the oven roasted vegetable lasagne was utterly delicious. We managed to eat a fabulous cake at the end. Really impressed with the service and atmosphere and the food is simply the best on the island. Highly recommended.
Camilla, Burnley
‘Excellent home-cooked food’
Vernon Cottage offers an amazing menu with plenty of choice for both main meals and lighter options. There is also a huge selection of homemade cakes. The main meals are homemade making it so much better than a standard pub. I had the home made crab and fishcakes which were out of this world. The portions are quite large, making the meals very reasonably priced for the quality.
Libertine Lou, Staffordshire
‘Sumptuous meal – a real delight, thank you’
Lovely meal. I can recommend the veggie sausages, mash and red onion gravy. Excellent! Lovely sitting out in the garden and staff very friendly. A real delight to eat there.
Rob & Annette, Newport
‘Fantastic Homemade Food’
Having just come back from our first experience of the Isle of Wight, I must say how great this place was. The old thatched cottage, which is stunning, sits on the top of the hill right above the coast. It has a gorgeous garden scattered with tables that seems to just attract the sun. The food was delicious and you could tell it was all homemade. After lunch we took the short stroll down the hill and relaxed on the beach. Overall, the service was great, food lovely, generous in portion and far superior to the price tag. Vernon Cottage is a great place to just relax, eat, drink and enjoy the company. The staff were very friendly and interesting to talk to. I would return to the Isle of Wight just to go back to this place.
Luke, Wimbledon
‘Best Experience’
Our visit to the Vernon Tearooms was our best experience for food, drink and hospitality on the Island. We enjoyed our first visit so much we went back a couple more times during our holiday. The food was excellent every time and the portions were very generous. There was a good choice of wine and the staff seemed very friendly. The cakes were also delicious and I've had to re-start my diet!! The garden was lovely and we were very lucky with the weather.
Jane and Howard R, Sunbury-On-Thames.
‘A Real Pearl’
My wife and I visited this place earlier this month and we both loved it! The pie was amazing! We were looking for a traditional English restaurant and this just exceeded our expectations.
Tartuffo Nero, Warsaw, Poland
‘Cream Tea!’
Delicious! Freshly baked scones in a lovely setting
Jo-Anne, Aveley
‘A real find – Lovely!’
The board says 'Probably the best cake on the IOW' and it is so right. We arrived in Shanklin at 5.30pm on a wet Thursday in search of a coffee for my mum. The staff were friendly without being intrusive. The decor was lovely and the cakes spinning round and round made our mouths water. I had a large piece of carrot cake, my partner choose victoria sponge and my mum had chocolate cake. The coffee was apparently very nice - but the cake was most definitely stunning. Portion sizes were large. We will most certainly return as it was an excellent looking menu and a really lovely atmosphere.
JOFW, Maidstone
‘Lovely Find’
A lovely tearoom / restaurant. We had a lovely meal here as well as afternoon tea and the food was outstanding and fantastic value.
Pilthorn, Basingstoke
‘Not to be missed’
Is it a pub? Is it a Tea Room? It's both! Lovely gardens with garden arbours and plenty of garden seating surround this pub restaurant which is popular with camera-clicking tourists. Next to the large car park. Good food. Good value. Good service.
Diane, Surrey
‘Great Cream Tea, Lovely Cakes and Garden to sit in’
Chose this tea room over some of the others that may have been a bit cheaper but Vernon cottage had the nicest garden with outdoor seating and cakes and the scones looked good. Turned out to be a right choice as scones were very tasty, served with their own jam. We came back the next day to have cream tea again.
Happy Trampers. Hook, UK.
‘Joyful lunch under the sun’
We had food, drinks and desserts there and they were all good. They had nice local ales and great outside sitting area. They play great music as well which makes the experiences even nicer. Check for the live music nights .
Anna V, Guildford
‘Fabulous Service’
We visited Shanklin when the weather was absolutely terrible. Heavy rain and gale force winds! We stood dripping in the Vernon tearooms foyer and our hearts sank as we realised that it was really busy and there was no way they could fit us in. But how wrong we were! Sue took pity on us and opened the shop to the side of the tearooms and let us sit in there. We were so grateful. As it was the Jubilee, they then tied balloons to the chairs for the children and put some background music on. We were soon joined by another family and had our own personal waitress who stayed with us to make sure we had everything we needed (thanks Ellie!). We had baguettes which were delicious and my son had a children's meal which was very generous in size. We finished our lunch with huge pieces of cake which were also delicious. We would like to thank Sue very much for the impeccable service and for opening the shop especially for us. It made going back to our wet tent much easier! We only wish we had purchased some of the beautiful things in the shop, but that just gives us an excuse to come back!
Sarah, Wotton-Under-Edge
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‘Best Tearoom in Shanklin’
We went to Vernon Cottage about 3 times over our 3 day stay (twice in one day!). I can thoroughly recommend going there for a cream tea, a quiet drink in the lovely gardens (which has plenty of nice seating) or for a meal. The staff are EXTREMELY helpful and courteous so a special mention should definitely go to them. There were plenty of families with young children and pets were welcome in the garden.
Ab. Wales
‘Delightful food in a delightful setting’
Wonderful dining experience where you can sit in the garden arbours outside. The food was very tasty, and great value as well
‘Great Food and Staff’
Lovely place with a pretty restaurant and gardens. The food is lovely and the owner a real character. Loved this place and will be back.
‘Good Everything’
Go enjoy, nice people, good food, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, book in advance if you can, not overly big!
Warnes, Brent Knoll, UK
‘Evening Meal – Nachos out of this world’
Having walked past during the day, the outside of Vernon Cottage looked like an interesting place to return to in the evening. I even felt like I might be a bit under-dressed when I left wearing jeans and trainers.
We walked in, (it was a bit cold to eat outside - even though they have heated arbours available) and were a bit surprised by the twee tea room interior. Nothing wrong with that, but we had come expecting a "good" restaurant to mark the last day of our stay on the island. We nearly walked out in shock, but decided to stay. I watched several other groups do the "double take" on entering, and I believe that some did walk out because of this. WHAT A MISTAKE THEY MADE!
Having ordered starters of Nachos and Pate, they were both great - much better than the "tea room" image makes you expect. In fact the Salsa with the Nachos was the best I have ever had - even from tex mex places in Texas. Not for people who do not like their food spicy though. The portions were a bit large really, but we forced ourselves because they were so good.
The Sea Bass special was also outstanding, and although my Burger was excellent, I regretted not choosing something a bit more adventurous. I had changed my mind from the Steak to the burger because I wondered if a tea room could do the steak justice. Well I am certain that they could after eating our food.
I am not sure what they could do, because in the day they are in fact a tea room, and seemingly very good at that too. What I can do is set your expectations to sit in a tea room setting, but be served outstandingly good restaurant food.
Gregnig, Dronfield
'Old Fashioned Service'
We visited here twice while on holiday and found the food to be very good. The service was first class. We would highly recommend this restuarant.
ami86, Suffolk
‘Excellent Find’
Myself, my mum and my sister discovered this place by accident at the beginning of our week long holiday to the island and returned a further twice as we enjoyed it do much.
The staff were friendly and couldn't do enough to help. The food was a good price and absolutely delicious - the crab sandwich and shell on prawns were particular favourites of ours.
The garden is lovely - especially on a sunny day, but even if it's raining there are sheltered tables ad the staff will happily turn the garden heaters on for you.
This is an absolutely lovely tea room - you'd be a fool to believe any review other than the brilliant ones.
Mandy G, Basingstoke, England, UK
‘Lovely Restaurant’
Huuuuge portions! Very tasty, lovely service and pretty surroundings.
Kyle F, Colchester, England
‘Looks like a tea room – but great food’
Located near the main tourist car park, this tea room with its lovely gardens also serves the most delicious food. Lost to choose from the menu and while served pub-style al fresco, you will not be disappointed. They also do lots of home-baked gateaux which we didn't sample, but they looked thoroughly delicious.
Jane C, Oxford
‘Superb food and lovely location’
Excellent food - could not fault it. We ate here several nights in a row and there was plenty of choice including the specials board - beautiful fresh produce and would highly recommend this restaurant
Sally B, Leicester
‘Nom, Nom’
We have eaten here twice now, once on at trip at Easter and most recently last week. Lovely place, very clean. Good menu choice, and meals of good size. The shop adjoining is a favourite with us too :-)
Robin M, West Midlands
‘Quirky – and nice!’
We have been to Vernon Cottage on our visits to the Island last year and this year.
I know another reviewer did mention “quirky and friendly”. That really does sum up Vernon Cottage. Having dinner in a “tea-room” environment does seem slightly quirky – but nice. Somehow the service is a bit quirky – but certainly nice and friendly. Then we come to the food. That isn’t quirky. That is just great. Thanks for some great dinners and we will certainly go back when we next get to the Island.
Bristolvisitors, Bristol
‘What Cream!’
Really is possibly the best cream tea I have ever had! And so pretty.
Diane T, Andover
‘Fresh Cakes and Tea are the Best’
These must be the freshest, tastiest cakes on the island. I particularly like the Victoria sponge and my wife likes the lemon cake. A pot of tea for three, with extra hot water, was strong enough to provide everyone with at least three cups each...
fsx276e, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
‘What a Find!’
We stopped her after a fairly indifferent meal at a local restaurant. Wanted just to sit and enjoy a glass of rose. Lovely place and lovely spot. Played good music as well
Lisa W, Hayling, null, United Kingdom
‘Scrummy Ta!!!’
Okey dokey - Beautiful surroundings - polite and helpful staff - excellent food and huge portions. My mother and daughter (11) had the gorgeous cod and chips and I attempted the roll your sleeves up ham and cheese Ploughmans! Warning do not order this and think ooh i fancy a bowl of chips cos you won't have room! This ploughman's is beautifully presented and would easily feed 2 and the home cooked ham is to die for. My only regret was having to walk away and leave some. we had a coach to catch but if we hadn't i'd definitley have lingered in the hope of fitting some more in. Cannot rate highly enough. A real gem of a find. Sit down relax and enjoy.
Christina H, Eversley, United Kingdom
‘Coffee Break’
Visited the Vernon Tearooms for coffee and snack and had the best scones in the IOW freshly baked and really good coffee, Costa and Starbucks eat your heart out! Friendly helpful service, lovely gardens to sit in with our dog and music to boot! The inside had pretty tables and decor and outside cool arbours to eat at. There is easy parking right next door. Will definitely be back next year and would recommend it highly to anyone that is visiting Shanklin High Street!
DavidandSheila, Oxfordshire
‘Lovely Evening Meals’
We stayed at a nearby hotel for a week, who had a limited menu and so were looking for somewhere else and stopped at the Tavern for two meals after trying a couple of other places, which were OK, but this was far better. As others have said, portions are more than ample, so you will not go hungry. Between us we had the Pie (superb, tender and succulent) and the sausage and mash (a real hearty portion). If you have room left, go for the sticky toffee pudding. After the meal, relax in the garden over a drink and take in the local musicians who play at the tavern. Altogether a very enjoyable experience.
Eliseca, UK
‘My favourite place to take people in the sunshine’
I love this place and it's where I take all my visitors on the first day of sunshine. It's in Shanklin at the top of the hill, with an entrance from the car park.The big garden is the place to eat in the sunshine. The portions are really big so do consider sharing. My favourite thing is sharing a salad and a bowl of chips. And the salad is easily enough for two - in fact they've been known to split it into two bowls on request and you'd never know it wasn't a decent portion each. The cakes are also great, so try to leave some room.
Pieinthehouse
‘Vernon Cottage should not be missed’
I've been here a few times, I've never been dissapointed. The atmosphere is buzzing and the staff are really good. I'm a trained chef and I can say the food really is good. When I've told people to visit they've always thanked me for telling them to go. It's a cute well decorated place that is well looked after. You could spend all afternoon there quite happily. Cream teas are really scrummy too!
SRHF, Cambridge, United Kingdom
‘A Lovely Time’
We were recommended to go here for coffee and cake as, according to a local, it was the only tea room where they bake their own cakes, rather than 'import' them. We never got to try the cake, but did find ourselves in the right place for a last meal before leaving the island on the next day. The service was quick and smooth, and the excellent food arrived in good time. The atmosphere was relaxed, the decor tasteful and the music formed a nice backdrop. All in all, we had a lovely time, courtesy of the staff and the excellent surroundings. Thank you all for making our holiday a little bit more special.
Paul, Worksop, UK
‘Nice Pint!’
I know the tearooms are famous for tea-but we arrived late in the afternoon and had a refreshing pint in one of the garden arbours. The lady put a heater on for us, and when lit we were warm as toast and didn't want to move! Good selection of food and drinks.
‘Cream Tea’
A wonderful cream tea with warm homemade scones, delicious! Delightful staff, great music, would totally recommend this tea room.
‘Lovely Choice of Homemade Cakes’
Despite having been to Shanklin many times, we'd never tried this tearoom before. We shall certainly be returning next year. We tried the cream scones, chocolate and st clement's cake between us and everyone enjoyed their choice greatly. Youngest son liked his milkshake too. Price was reasonable for the quality of the cakes and we would certainly recommend it to other visitors.
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