please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A view to remember... a hot sunny Tuesday in July 2020.. (yes, after the world ended...) The Palmers Dorset gold was first class, as was watching the Yatch set.. Drinks were expensive, but with this view what do you expect.. Coronavirus wise, I was allowed up to the bar, and staff were trying... I'm still not sure our lockdown measures were correct, and only time will tell, but I worry for the future...
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Great pub, proper job feel, robust simple tasty and clean food, guiness excellent, palmers ales but only 2 to choose from. Pub is right on the water so widescreen waterside views along the top bar. This is a boozer with food not a smarter than thou food pub. Attentive staff and easy going. This was winter time mind on a Sunday....
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A large pub on three levels in the heart of Salcombe and with a good sized terrace offering great views across the estuary, this pub should be an absolute gem. Unfortunately as can often be the case with pubs in such prime locations, service levels seem to have slipped, perhaps because they know that in the decent weather at least, they really don�t have to try too hard to attract the punters in.
The main bar area of the pub is the upper of the three levels and this is a long room with a cosy enough ambience being carpeted throughout and having various nautical artefacts around such as a ship�s barometer and an oar. Numerous flags were covering the ceiling, and there were brick fire-places at each end with wood burning stoves. The paintwork was a khaki shade of green with wood panelling lower down, and some exposed stonework elsewhere, particularly at the far end. A large glass case displayed a number of giant crustaceans and there was bench seating all along the front wall of the pub with plenty of windows giving good views across the water.
On the middle floor was a dining area that had a much more contemporary feel to it, and on the ground floor a much smaller and more basic bar with blue and white paintwork again giving it a somewhat nautical feel and whose primary function was, I suspect, to act as a serving area for the large patio.
We were waiting to be served at the top floor bar for some time as there were no staff members present. Eventually someone turned up, the same guy that I had noticed whist I was waiting collecting glasses out on the patio. One member of staff to cover a three story pub? When he did get to us he seemed somewhat disinterested, and was easily distracted such as stopping to take a phone message from another member of staff (OK, so there was more than one. Shame she wasn�t serving while he was collecting the glasses).
The pub was very quiet on what should be their peak time of the year with only half a dozen or so punters on the patio, another two or three in the top bar and nobody in the dining room. Admittedly it wasn�t the weekend, and the schools had yet to break up, but it was still July and a rare sunny day in amongst lots of rain should have seen them much busier. Perhaps the prices may be a contributory factor - �8.40 for a Thatcher�s Gold and a G&T seems a little steep, and although I didn�t check the menu, I noticed a small specials board that listed a Chicken Curry and a Chilli Con Carne, both over �11.
Beers on tap were Palmer�s Copper Ale and Palmer�s Best. Ciders were Thatcher�s Gold and Gaymer�s Pear.
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Nowhere better to sit and enjoy a pint, beer choice a bit dull, food not bad for touristy pub, bit pricey but it's going to be in Salcombe.
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Bit of a tatty pub , poor service and rushed off their feet staff, but fortunately a beer garden with a view to die for across the Salcombe estuary
My pint of Palmers Copper Ale was decent enough, but take away the location and the view and I�m not sure you�d bother.
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Great views from the beer garden but there is nothing special about the Palmers beer. But then again there is nothing wrong with it either - just not my first choice.
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Probably one of the best pub views anywhere . On a sunny day you can literally lose hours staring across the estuary . Downstairs bar aimed at the summer youngsters , older bar upstairs and restaurant in the middle . but its the beer garden people come for - basic pub grub and OK Palmers Ales .
But the view.........
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Excellent location especially in the summer when sat outside!
Good basic pub grub. Don't know about the beer but the vodka was excellent!
Could've sat here all day!
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To repeat my last comment which seems to have not passed the censor ( IE Johnbonser) , this place is coming forward in leaps and bounds - landlord now keeping it open 7 days a week , food looks good and watching the rugby in here the other weekend was great fun.......come on bite print some pub reviews not the usual chatline rubbish - no chance of this appearing then........
anonymous - 28 Feb 2007 08:54 |
I don't know what this guy is talking about he obviously needs to get his salcombe head on not his london head! No offence meant but its a salcombe pub not a �200 a head restaurant. I love the Ferry the food is great pub food and the fish dishes are fab. I cannot think of summer without the Ferry. Even in the winter with their stews and seson dishes it's fab. I would definatly recomend it.
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The beer was OK although a little pricy. The view was very good.
The Food was VERY POOR, three of us had three seperate main corses, The seafood platter was very poor and made the unfortunate eater very ill, the other two dishes were dull and not atall fresh. THE PUB MAKES A BIG DEAL ON THE MENU ABOUT FRESHLY PREPARED FRESH PRODUCE AND TAKING A BIT OF EXTRA TIME. AND WHAT CAME (VERY QUICKLY) WAS NOT WORTH HALF THE EXESIVE PRICE. I WILL NEVER GO BACK. We complained to a group of 4 staff and not one seemed to care. They had only on vegitarian option (chease on toast with very tastles roadt bits of auoberine and onion). DON'T TOUCH THE FOOD.
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If ever a pub was in dire need of a refit, it's this one. Then again, why bother when it's got the best beer garden and views in Salcombe, and no-one drinks inside anyway!
God knows how it survives the winter, but it's a fine place to while away a summer day watching the boats go by.
anonymous - 12 Apr 2006 14:08 |
One of the best locations anywhere . Sadly thats all this place really has going for it , very overpriced poor food and they really should try cleaning their pipes - the beer is awful .
anonymous - 24 May 2005 12:33 |
Strange one this. Been going there for years admittedly only in the summer. The beer varies and the prices aint cheap but sitting outside, sipping a nice cold one boat watching as the sun goes down can't be beaten. I have to rate it as one of my favourite places. That rating is no reflection on the service or quality of products. Although It was selling biltong last time I was there!
ahh, the sound of small outboards and laughter on a warm summers eve... brings it all flooding back as the snow falls outside. Alister Ruddick
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Garden is a bunfight in summer, service slow and food poor but expensive.
The only thing going for it is the view, which is unbeatable
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thank you for a great game of jenga!
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Wicked pub in the summer before fusion even though staff can be a little slow...uh very slow. dead in the winter though, also expensive but doesnt really matter with the rich clientellie kids that seem to have more money than most adults not living in the real world. mo thanks.
Chris - 17 Aug 2004 12:17 |
The money you save bunking the most expensive ferry crossing on the planet (1p/second) can be spend more wisely on ale.
Charlie - 21 Nov 2003 18:53 |
Situated right next to the East Portlemouth ferry, this pub has a fine terrace overlooking the Salcombe estuary.
Good food available luchtimes and evenings. Real ales available too.
Graham - 29 Sep 2003 09:06 |
