Rain changes the shape of a day on the Isle of Wight, and not for the worse. The beach can wait. A morning at Quarr Abbey and lunch in Ryde gives the day a purpose that does not need a clear sky, and if you would rather start later, afternoon tea by the window is the whole afternoon in itself.
Start with the story of Quarr
Quarr Abbey is a working Benedictine monastery a couple of miles west of Ryde. The visitor centre tells the history of the site and the life of the community through displays and a short film, and there is a gallery and a shop. It is somewhere to look at carefully rather than hurry through; the church is a place of worship and the abbey asks visitors to treat it as one.
Check Quarr’s own opening information before you go, because different parts of the estate keep different hours. There are open stretches between buildings, so bring the waterproof even if most of the visit is under a roof.
Come back to Ryde for lunch
The dining room at RT Café Grill looks across the Solent from the first floor, and rain on that water is its own kind of view. You get the setting from indoors, without negotiating the forecast for a terrace table.
Look at the current menu before you book and decide whether you want a proper lunch or something lighter. Then give it time. A wet day gives you permission to sit for two hours; use it.
Or make afternoon tea the plan
Afternoon tea at RT Café Grill is a meal, not a snack: sandwiches, scones, pastries, from £35, Thursday to Sunday, from 2.30pm with last orders at 3.30pm. Think about how much lunch you want beforehand, because the honest answer is not much.
It needs at least 24 hours’ notice, which makes it the thing to book when tomorrow looks grim, rather than the thing to hope for when a shower catches you on the esplanade. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan versions exist; say which when you book. Book afternoon tea.
Keep the journeys realistic
Quarr and the town centre are separate stops. There is a bus and there are taxis; sort out which before you set off, and check your return crossing before you commit to a table time. This is a suggested order for the day, not a timed tour.
If you would rather not move at all, simplify it further: a meal and time together. Bring the book you have been meaning to start. Meet the friend you usually see in a hurry. A wet day does not have to be filled.
Our guide to eating in Ryde covers the other ways to visit, from breakfast to dinner. With the restaurant’s seasonal hours and Quarr’s opening checked, a change in the weather can leave you with a very agreeable day.
Questions we get asked
Can I get afternoon tea without booking if it rains?+
Afternoon tea needs at least 24 hours’ notice, so it is not a same-day plan. Lunch and the bar are the walk-in options, subject to space.
Does the dining room have the sea view or only the terrace?+
Both. The dining room is on the first floor and looks across the Solent; the terrace has the same view from the garden in summer.
How far is Quarr Abbey from Ryde?+
A couple of miles west of the town. Check the abbey’s own site for opening hours, and arrange transport between the two rather than assuming a walk.
Is there parking near the restaurant?+
Public car parks on the esplanade are the closest. The hovercraft and FastCat terminals are a short walk along the seafront.