Last time, we looked at Newport Ale House.

This time, we went to Monkton Street in Ryde to visit The Solent Inn.

We spoke to Sonia McFarlane, who runs the pub with her husband and head chef, Ross. 

The inside of the main room of the Solent Inn (Image: IWCP)

Tucked away in Ryde, the pub is a hidden treasure and beloved by locals.

Sonia said: "We have great locals, and we do have trade coming in who have heard about us.

"They say 'We didn't know the pub was here!' and then they've come again, or they've come on holiday.

"We've had some people who have been coming back for the last five years every time they've found us.

The pub is listed and was established in 1749 (Image: IWCP)

"They pop in and say hello and have a few drinks which is really good."

Sonia and Ross took up the listed building eight and a half years ago, which used to be called The Beach Tavern.

The Solent Inn holds open mic nights and quizzes (Image: IWCP)

The couple also run The Castle Inn and The Falcon in Ryde.

Ross runs the kitchen, where he cooks with fresh ingredients.

Sonia said: "My husband starts very early and everything is fresh.

"We have our burger night every Wednesday, they are homemade as well.

"He takes pride in his food and he won't cut corners: it has to be fresh.

"He makes his own gravy and Yorkshire puddings."

The pub holds quizzes and open mic nights and has started taking bookings for their Christmas menu.

The owners' relationship with locals goes beyond the bar, with Sonia and Ross helping out locals.

"We help some of our locals as well.

"When they've been poorly we've collected medicine for them and during COVID we've done some shopping for them.

"We pride ourselves on that."