You know those pontoons opposite the folly......?

[PEJ]

You know those pontoons opposite the folly, do they have shore power?

I suspect not, in which case could any one suggest a berthing spot in the IOW with shore power that is close to a nice pub for dinner (ie staggering distance). I would have liked to go to the Folly but shore power is a must.

Thanks.

 

[Firefly625]

No, they don't!

But 200 yards further on from the folly on the left is Island Harbour, fully equiped with Pontoons, electricity, water, shower block, chandlery etc etc

A little know secret with a nice Bistro on site. We have spent many a happy weekend there! It is controlled by a lock and you need to chose your timing, but we are heading there for the bank holiday weekend.

From Island Harbour its a 20 minute walk back to the Folly if you really want to go there..

 

[KevB]

The pontoons directly outside the folly connected to the land do have power via £1 slot meters.

 

[jhr]

You know those pontoons opposite the folly, do they have shore power?

I suspect not, in which case could any one suggest a berthing spot in the IOW with shore power that is close to a nice pub for dinner (ie staggering distance). I would have liked to go to the Folly but shore power is a must.

Thanks.

East Cowes Marina? The Lifeboat is effectively on-site and is run by the group that also manages the Wheatsheaf in Yarmouth, the Mayflower in Lymington and the Anchor in West Cowes. The eating experience is slightly samey in all these pubs but the food is consistently good, and you won't wait for hours. Beer's usually OK as well.

The walk-ashore pontoons at Yarmouth will give you power (I think? Can't afford to berth there ) and a choice of numerous eateries. Avoid the Bugle like the plague, and take out a second mortgage if you intend to eat at the George

Re Island Harbour: I have read several less than complimentary comments about the Bistro there, particularly in relation to (lack of) customer service. Beware.....

 

[Firefly625]

The pontoons directly outside the folly connected to the land do have power via £1 slot meters.

I don't believe you can stay on that pontoon very long, its just a waiting pontoon isn't it?

 

[l'escargot]

The pontoons directly outside the folly connected to the land do have power via £1 slot meters.

Usually pre booked and reserved. I think you will find they have to be booked through the pub and not the harbour authority.

You could always try E Cowes Marina and the Lifeboat pub.

 

[AIDY]

go to yarmuff and pre book harold hayles pontoon..... sooooper people. and don't mind if you don't turn up. and don't take any deposit. water and electric on the pontoon short walk over the bridge to town and the marina facilities. pubs in town are very average. unles you go to the george or a short taxi ride to shalefleet.

 

[Firefly625]

Re Island Harbour: I have read several less than complimentary comments about the Bistro there, particularly in relation to (lack of) customer service. Beware.....

... each to their own, but we spent 5 days in Island Harbour last summer and hired a car... we ate at the bistro 3 nights out of 5.... its no gastronomic delight but IMHO better than average and fine for what you pay and service was never an issue. Forgot to pick up my sunglasses one night (perhaps a beer haze), and the lovely waitress presented them to me the next evening...as they were a new pair of pretty nice and expensive sunglasses I appreciated that..

 

[Firefly625]

go to yarmuff and pre book harold hayles pontoon..... sooooper people. and don't mind if you don't turn up. and don't take any deposit. water and electric on the pontoon short walk over the bridge to town and the marina facilities. pubs in town are very average. unles you go to the george or a short taxi ride to shalefleet.

Harold Hayles pontoon....who??? Have you just revealed the best kept secret in Yarmouth? Would like to find out more about this!!!

Edited bit

That didn't take long;

http://haroldhayles.co.uk/moorings?id=5

 

[neale]

East Cowes and a water taxi up to the Folly

 

[jhr]

... each to their own, but we spent 5 days in Island Harbour last summer and hired a car... we ate at the bistro 3 nights out of 5.... its no gastronomic delight but IMHO better than average and fine for what you pay and service was never an issue. Forgot to pick up my sunglasses one night (perhaps a beer haze), and the lovely waitress presented them to me the next evening...as they were a new pair of pretty nice and expensive sunglasses I appreciated that..

Glad to hear it; things may have improved. Island Harbour is a lovely spot and, as others have said, not very far from the Folly

East Cowes and a water taxi up to the Folly

Well, en principe, oui, which is french for "no" . I've done the trip from the Town Pier to the Folly on one occasion, for reasons far too complicated to go into. Fares for myself, Mrs jhr and Nos. 1 son and daughter came to about £25 for the round trip, although I guess it's less from East Cowes.......

 

[Firefly625]

Well, en principe, oui, which is french for "no" . I've done the trip from the Town Pier to the Folly on one occasion, for reasons far too complicated to go into. Fares for myself, Mrs jhr and Nos. 1 son and daughter came to about £25 for the round trip, although I guess it's less from East Cowes.......

ouch!....

 

[Frontier]

I was once told the water taxi that operates from East cowes does not serve the Folley. Is that not the case?

It would be handy if it does as I stay at East Cowes a lot. They keep blowing horns early on sunday mornings down on the west side of Cowes so I avoid it if I can :-(

 

[neale]

I have grabbed a water taxi from East Cowes to the folly. Can't remember how much, but it was expensive enough that I remember it wasn't cheap, and cheap enough that I can't remember exactly how much

 

[Whitelighter]

Folly pontoon

You can indeed stay on the pontoon on the folly side of the river overnight. We did so on Wednesday last week and it was very pleasant. Shore power was there and we didnt pay as there was still £5 shwoing on the meter.

Was quite cheap as well, less than £20 I think for a 30ft boat. They allow rafting as well, we were along side with a 38ft raggie behind us and two 37-40ft raggies rafted ahead of us.

I didnt realise, but the Folly also do a jolly fine cooked breakkie for under a fiver which was a welcome suprise

 

[epervier]

I didnt realise, but the Folly also do a jolly fine cooked breakkie for under a fiver which was a welcome suprise

Maybe because it's the beginning of the season, last summer in August, the evening meal was Excellent, but the full english the next morning was very average/mediocre. I wouldn't want to repeat the experience, and pay for it!

for information,folly reach toon £11 overnight 31' boat, 3 adults full english, tea, toast £25

 

[burgundyben]

Avoid the Bugle like the plague

I'm surprised, we like The Bugle, there is one table we call 'our table'.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I'm surprised, we like The Bugle, there is one table we call 'our table'.

They have obviously recovered from there £5000 fine for unhygenic kitchens, then - about 4 years ago, IIRC.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

its no gastronomic delight but IMHO better than average and fine for what you pay and service was never an issue.

We were there mid-September last year, and if the management hasnt changed since I wont be going back even if they give the food away.

Saturday night, busy weekend, still took 1hour 20minutes for our starters to arrive. Could have walked to Cowes, never mind the Folly, in that time.

 

[Scubadoo]

You can indeed stay on the pontoon on the folly side of the river overnight. We did so on Wednesday last week and it was very pleasant.

Did you have to book or can you just turn up (I guess book for weekends), who do you contact to pay for the overnight stay?

Thanks.