COWES.

Not far from Parkhurst Prison, the Joy always has eight real ales on. On this occasion they were: Goddards Special Bitter 4.0%, Brakspear’s Special Bitter 4.8%, Courage Directors Bitter 4.8%, Abbot Ale 5.0%, Gales Frolic Bitter 4.4%, Deuchars IPA 3.8%, Old Peculier 5.6%, Aviemoor Wee Murdoch 4.8%. Food is served here during open hours though check for times as they vary. The food is traditional (sandwiches, steak, fish, etc) and a little broader, including vegetarian options. The garden now boasts Petanque, a pets' corner, play area and patio. There is also a large car park. The Travellers has, for several years, been winner and runner up of the Isle of Wight Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Pub of the Year and operates a "try before you buy" policy. 

If you are interested, the website has the following history:

Mr. William Pope was born in the Travellers Joy, Tinkers Lane, Northwood in 1799, (The name of the road was changed to Pallance Road sometime during 1939.). The Popes kept the pub from at least 1799 to 1835 and most likely into the 1860's. William died in 1859 and his wife, Fanny, died in 1866. According to the deeds of the pub there has been an alehouse on the site for some 300 years when it was a row of cottages. The alehouse was originally located at one end of the row and was relocated several times from cottage to cottage. During the excavation for the footings of the pool room extension in 1987 several implements were discovered which intimated that some kind of wood crafting cottage existed next to the present pub. In an application for a license in 1904 in the name of Mrs. Preece the premises were rebuilt at a cost of between £700 & £800. The distances to the nearest pubs then were: The Horse Shoe Inn 1mile, The Flower Pot Inn 1mile 1 furlong, The Gurnard Hotel 1&1/2 miles, The Stag Inn 2miles 1 furlong, The Foresters Inn 2miles 3 furlongs. There was only one house within a mile. Mrs. Ellen Hurzza Preece stated that her father held the place for 35 years and she had held for 6. A map printed on War Substitute Paper dated 1939 shows Tinkers Lane scored through and Pallance Road typed in its place. The current pub has been extensively extended over the years and now features a conservatory, pool room in addition to the bar areas which were part of the occupiers accommodation. The current lounge area used to be the front room and the area behind the bar was their lounge. Locals can remember such idiosyncrasies as a paraffin heater in the centre of the bar being used as the only form of heating, a mynah bird which so upset a visiting darts team that they set it alight! And don’t forget the 2 ghosts: one, an old chap wearing a flat cap who gets quite mischievous at times; the other, a lady wearing old fashioned dress who appears when the decorating is being carried out.