please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Set next to the Thames, its in an idyllic location. The food menu is cheap and it resembles a wetherspoons but without the history of the pub that Wetherspoons normally celebrate. Beers were ok, but apart from the location, there are better pubs in Wallingford
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I made a comment about this pub in 2008, regarding rude management and an incident over a hat. I am pleased to be able to report that there has been a change of management since and that the current team are really helpful and friendly. I ate there with my wife a few hours ago, the food was great and you are even allowed to take your dog in with you now. What a change, this is now my favorite pub in the whole of Wallingford and is highly recommended!
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This is undoubtedly the best pub in the County if not the Country. The management team are friendly, polite and attentive as are all the staff. We had our outlandish wedding reception there and were made to feel very special indeed. The drinks are great value, the food is of a high standard, reasonably priced and piping hot! I would highly recommend this pub to anyone, the previous reviews were obviously whilst it was under very different management.
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Was in last week, food was ok for the price, and my pint was also ok
Nice venue
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Popped in on Friday and Saturday last weekend. Noticed the signs advertising Fosters at �2,10. That's never a good sign! Three handpumps, all turned round. Guys - if you can't be bothered to sell real ale properly, then don't bother.
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Been meaning to go in this pub for ages due to fantastic location. So after a walk along the Thames path I called in for a swifty. A bit of a disappointment really. For starters they had 2 hand pumps but only one beer available - (John Smiths is not an option) so I went for the Hobgoblin which was at first taste well kept. As the level of my drink went down my enthusiasm for this much needed pint waned as the glass appeared to be filthy. I was sat on the terrace - I noticed the no mooring at any time - surely they are missing the opportunity of passing trade here, although reading the previous comments I would not recommend that anyone down anchor here. The sad thing is that this has the potential to be the best pub on the Thames, but in its current state it is probably the worst!
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My own experience tallies with the other negative reviews. I gave the Boathouse the "benefit of the doubt" several times, and won't again. The only factors that prevent my rating being an absolute zero are the location on the river and the remarkably cheap food (some options) for the Thames valley - but the quality of the food is fairly dire, so that price is not enough compensation.
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Start with the positive - the river terrace would be pleasant on a nice day. Old Speckled Hen and Brains available. I ordered the latter and the barman serving me was having a tactical conversation with one of his compadres exhorting him to 'push the Brains'. Just as well. I was tempted to change my order to the Speckled just to see what would happen... It cost �9.23 for three pints. It has a large, seventies style interior. Sky Sports was silent in the background, lots of light were on and, just to make sure the electricity metre was swirling round with sufficient speed to damage the world's ecology, there was some dreadful muzak playing in the background which I am reliably informed was Mark Ronson. The combination of snooty boat people and scowling teenagers was dispiriting. Flies buzzing at the window also wanting to get out quickly. A huge number of children were smoking immediately outside the front door. It is a purgatory for anyone older than 25. Pay the ferryman and let him take you to the other side.
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Probably one for the whippersnappers the Boathouse but our brief visit was pleasant enough. Pool table and ale etc so I was happy.
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My wife and I visited the Boathouse on two occasions in June 2008 when camping in Wallingford. It's a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde this one. Thursday, it was relatively empty, with polite, attentive bar staff. It's a great place to watch the comings and goings by the river, with large comfy sofas to sink into after dark. Friday evening, even early on, there was security on the gate, easily a hundred Wayne's and Trixie's trying to out shout each other on the river terrace. It's definitely the place to pull on the weekends if you like that sort of thing. Me and the wife don't look too old for our age so we stuck around to observe the unfolding cabaret. I think I even heard the immortal line -"Leave it Craig - He's not worth it'" so we left before it got to the -"Are you looking at my bird...?" -time of the night.
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This pub has no idea of customer service and the manager should be sacked. I was minding my own business sitting outside alongside on their river terrace alongside my small boat. We had our beers and had ordered some food. Out of the blue a female waitress walked across and abruptly told me to take my hat off, which was on because medication makes me sensitive to the sun. I thought she was joking, but she became insistent and abrupt, so I told her not to be ridiculous and go away. The manager then appeared and rudely told me to take my hat off again. This was an outside area well away from the pub - What is their problem! I refused and we were all asked to leave. My brother-in-law demanded back the money we had paid for the meal. It was refunded, but with the comment that we have enough customers and don't need you. This idiot gave away �50 of the pubs money rather then let me wear my hat to protect myself from the sun. The man should be fired and is not fit to hold the post and this terrible pub is to be avoided. I am a 50 something year old, well dress and well spoken. My wife and I have never been so insulted in all our life.
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It could be so much better, it really could. OK to sit outside in the afternoon but forget evenings. Needs to go up a couple of classes to scare the chavs away.
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Beautiful location, dreadful pub full of chavs and sleazy old men (my wife tells me). The food is no better than sub-standard pub fare - burgers, chips etc. Selection of beers is passable but lacks any real ales. Good for pool and sports though. It's a real shame that this is the first pub you see coming over the bridge - it looks beautiful, but it's a shocker.
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Good things:
River terrace, poole tables (x2), big screen TVs for footie, usually lively atmosphere
Bad things:
Shocking range of beers,usually crap (no real ales), expensive, smokey
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A great place to eat and drink, staff are fantastic. Music selection could do with some improvement but I still love the place!!
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I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE BOATHOUSE, ITS FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT ATMOSPHERE AND FRIENDLY STAFF
H - 9 Jun 2003 21:52 |
the service is substandard and the bar staff are inattentive, the food although good would benefit from being served hot as opposed to lukewarm. The prices are reasonable but there is a poor selection available on the menu
Owen Flack - 27 May 2003 16:03 |
