The Farringford, located in Freshwater Bay, used to belong to Alfred and Emily Tennyson. They were part of what was known as the 'Freshwater Circle' - a group of creative people living in the Freshwater area on the Isle of Wight during the Victorian Times. They were friends with Julia Margaret Cameron - well known Victorian photographer and Aunt of Valentine Cameron Prinsep (the famous Victorian painter of the Pre Raphaelite school) - whose house is just down the road by the bay.
Although previously open to the public as a hotel, the Farringford is now privately owned and is being renovated.
It does, however, boast a rather fabulous Garden Restaurant, currently specialising in woodfired pizzas.
We had nothing in the house last week, and no one particularly wanted to shop and cook, so we headed over to the Farringford for dinner.

The restaurant's lovely inside. It's been done up since we used to visit when we were little (they used to do some cracking BBQs!)

It was a lovely sunny evening so they kept the french windows open. It opens out onto a garden, and there's a little swing and playhouse for little ones to play in - very handy for when inevitable boredom hits the youngsters at the dinner table!
The centrepiece of the restaurant is the huge woodfire stove, allowing you to watch the chefs cook your pizzas right in front of you!

The menu is extensive yet inexpensive. I'd certainly say that you get a great deal for your money since the food is delicious.
You don't just have to go for pizza - there's a wide range of pastas and risottos as well, and also a children's menu for little ones.

Not fancying pizza, Louis went for kids battered cod pieces and some rather scrumptious looking chips...

My youngest sister, Sarah, went for a plain old margherita...

Whereas Cecilia, feeling much more adventurous, went for prawns and pineapple on her pizza...

Both myself and Mum went for Pizza Napoli - anchovies, capers and olives.
Salty and delicious.

The pizza was cooked perfectly - there was a brilliant crunch to the crust, yet the base was soft. There was just the right amount of support for the toppings, allowing for manageable munching without it being either too tough or falling to pieces upon slicing.
After this little carb fest, I took Louis outside to play whilst the others let their food settle. Upon my return, Mum and Cecilia announced that they were having pudding. Too full to think about more food, and being somewhat of an alcoholic in denial, I opted for more wine in place of a dessert.
Mum and Cecilia, however, went all out.
Mum went for cherry and almond pie with clotted cream...

And Cecilia opted for white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry coulis...

As you can probably tell, they were both rather delightful!
Once everyone was done and dusted with dinner, we headed outside. They have a white bull in the field owned by the main house, so we headed over towards the field and the smaller farmhouse to try to catch a glimpse.

Alas, no sign of the bull... probably a good thing really, seeing as Louis was trying to climb over the fence!

We scooped Louis up and drove home, just in time for a rather spectacular surprise sunset

If you're looking for a quiet place to eat on the Isle of Wight, I definitely recommend the Farringford's Garden Restaurant. It's a real hidden gem, and walking distance to the beach! What more could you wish for?