Our Iconic Building
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, The Old Fort site was actually two separate buildings — one home to a café and sweet shop, the other to a pottery. By the mid-seventies the two were combined into a pub and café on the ground floor, with a small owner’s flat above.
In 2021, that flat and the upstairs storerooms were completely transformed by the current owners into a beautiful new open-plan restaurant and bar. The space was an instant hit with locals, holidaymakers, and tourists alike, fully booked almost every night from its post-lockdown opening on 17th May right through to the end of October half term. Since then, it’s been further extended to welcome even more guests.
Today, The Old Fort is a true landmark pub and restaurant, serving the local community and visitors for decades. It remains one of only two public houses in the parish of Nettlestone & Seaview.
This landmark pub and restaurant has served the local community, holidaymakers and tourists for decades and is one of only two public houses in the parish of Nettlestone & Seaview.
History of Seaview & the Surrounding Areas
The Old Fort is steeped in history. Seaview was first mentioned in July 1545, when the French, during a naval attack on Portsmouth, landed near what is now The Old Fort on the Esplanade and overran defenders at the small Fort Bank emplacement.
Two hundred years later, a family with twelve children became the first recorded settlers in cottages just up the hill. Originally, Seaview and Nettlestone were separate communities, with Nettlestone the older of the two. By 1850 the centre of Seaview was well established, and by the 1960s it had been designated a Conservation Area.
Seaview expanded rapidly in the latter half of the 19th century, becoming a thriving seaside resort by 1860. A suspension-style pier, built in 1881, welcomed visitors and day trippers for 70 years until it was destroyed in a violent storm on 29th December 1951. Development continued in waves through the 1960s and 1970s, and again in the late 1980s, with new housing and redevelopment of sites such as the old garage, bus station, and Pier Hotel.
The Parish of Nettlestone & Seaview was formally created in 1989 and remains one of the island’s largest by both area and population. It includes the villages of Nettlestone and Seaview, as well as Pondwell, Seagrove Bay, Springvale, Woodland Close, and most of Puckpool Hill.
While Seaview was originally shaped by the salt industry, it flourished as a tourist centre during the Edwardian era. Today it attracts a growing number of permanent residents, alongside an ever-expanding year-round visitor base, making it a lively and bustling coastal community.
Multi-award winning
We’re proud of the recognition The Old Fort has received so far, from Best Destination Pub to Best Pub (Silver) at the Isle of Wight Awards 2023. None of this would have been possible without the support of our community and the dedication of our amazing team.
But this is just the beginning. With more exciting plans ahead, our goal is simple — to keep putting The Old Fort and Seaview on the map for locals and visitors alike.
"This is seaside dining at its absolute best – all in a relaxed, cosy environment served with a smile..."