The Ferryman Inn, Bablock Hythe

This unusually large possibly 1920�s Art Deco style pub �The Ferryman at Bablock Hythe� stands in it�s own large grounds and gardens beside the River Thames. Although it has what some may regard as an unfortunate architectural style, to others it may have a unique appeal, I guess it is all a matter of taste. To my mind, the outside is ugly whilst inside it is lacks any intimate atmosphere with it�s large open plan rooms and very high ceilings. Frankly it is a pub I rarely frequent.

However, the Landlord does his best to overcome all of the above and to his great credit, he does provide good value food and a wide range of drinks, to a mostly �holiday maker� clientele. There is a massive function room with a professional sized concert hall stage and a theatre bar complete with large catering kitchens to accommodate 200 plus seated diners. A very popular venue for coach parties of OAP�s hell bent on joining in with the popular mid-week music hall concerts.

Also, there is a large 400 unit static holiday caravan chalet park adjacent to the pub as well as a permanent residential Mobile Home Park of 50 units that provides a small but dedicated gaggle of regulars during the long winter months.

The summer high season sees plenty of visiting boaters mooring their craft outside at the end of the garden so as to stay overnight and enjoy all the land based facilities.

Whilst in November each year the pub hosts a large Fireworks spectacular, there is also a annual spring season Charity Duck Race which provides a lot of fun and raises money for good causes.

All in all, this is a fun pub for all the family which although somewhat down market knows how to cater for it�s audience.

Be warned, it is certainly not an typical idyllic riverside Oxfordshire pub.

30 May 2007 17:13