10 great waterside pubs
We’ve compiled a list of 10 great waterside pubs where you can enjoy an excellent view, as well as some quality food and drink
Whether you’re after somewhere with a knockout view or a place to shelter from the great British summer, these 10 pubs are sure to meet your needs.
From London to Cornwall, we’ve compiled a list of great waterside pubs to enjoy after some thirsty sailing.
Think we’ve missed one out? Comment below with your own recommendations.
1. The Jolly Sailor, Bursledon
Located on the quaint Hamble River, the Jolly Sailor is a great watering hole after a leisurely sail out on the water. One of the best-known sailor’s pubs in the UK, it looks north-east over the picturesque river and Swanwick Marina.
The pub is a traditional inn that’s been renovated several times since it opened more than 300 years ago. The Jolly Sailor even has is own pontoon where you can moor up but this dries out at low water so make sure you check the tide before visiting by boat.
2. The Steam Packet Inn, River Dart, Totnes
If you’re in Devon this summer, make sure you pay the Steam Packet Inn a visit. This local pub benefits from its stunning rural setting as the river winds between steep wooded banks and charming farmland.
This family-owned venue serves pints of Otter and Butcombe ales along with hearty English food on their large terrace. But ensure you keep an eye on the time if your boat is fin keel as you’ll only have a couple of hours before you’ll have to head downriver to deeper water.
3. The White Swan, Twickenham
Situated on the river Thames, this idyllic pub boasts great riverside views and the paved garden is a fantastic suntrap in the summer. There’s daily selection of real ales on offer at the White Swan including Twickenham Fine Ales, Sambrooks, Sharps, Hogs Back, Caledonian Brewery, Hook Norton and Goody Ales.
Depending on what time you visit, you may even have a gentle tide lapping around your table as the water comes up into the pub garden!
4. Master Builder’s Hotel, Beaulieu
This picturesque hotel on the south coast of England is a great place to visit whether you’ve been sailing nearby or after a hard day’s bartering at the Beaulieu Boat Jumble. The Master Builder’s is located on Lord Montagu’s Beaulieu Estate and has stunning views over the town’s river. As well as enjoying a great selection of ales, you can soak up the sunshine in the hotel’s garden bar, which plays host to a fantastic BBQ in the summer. Remember to pre-book your mooring on the river in peak season.
5. The Pandora Inn, Mylor, Cornwall
Situated on the edge of Restronguet Creek in Mylor, the Pandora Inn is tucked into the leafy west shore of the creek just after Weir Point, opposite a landing pontoon. The pub’s many charms include flagstone floors, low-beamed ceilings and a thatched roof.
The Grade II listed award-winning pub serves a range of fine cask ales as well as some great traditional grub. Parts of the pub are 800-years-old and the building retains its 13th century
character despite some recent renovations to the upper floors to repair fire damage.
6. The White Cross, Richmond
Originally known as the Waterman’s Arms, this Thames riverside pub was built some time in 1748. The pub’s name was changed to the White Cross two years after being rebuilt in 1838.
Located in the beautiful town of Richmond, this waterside venue boasts unrivalled views of the Thames. The White Cross has a number of award-winning Young’s ales on offers, as well as delicious wine from the pub’s cellar.
Make sure you check the tide times before you visit as water from the river can sometimes come up to the pub’s front door. Don’t worry though; you can borrow some wellies from the pub to get you across the car park.
7. The George, Yarmouth
This 17th century hotel and restaurant offers fantastic views of the Solent and is a great place to indulge in fine dining with their brasserie-style restaurant housed in the conservatory. Based
between Yarmouth Castle and pier, the hotel’s stylish covered terrace and waterfront patio are also perfect for summer lounging.
The George’s menu consists of both organic and local produce, with the dishes featuring a European influence while the drinks menu boasts a delicious selection of global wines.
8. The Butt & Oyster, River Orwell, Suffolk
One of the most famous sailors’ pubs on the east coast, the Butt & Oyster is perched on the edge of the River Orwell. Punters can enjoy good food and beer as they soak up the views and watch the changing tides. The name of the pub commemorates the historic oyster fisheries, which were originally a major export from the river Orwell.
Beware the end of the hard: it runs short of the river on springs and unless you are wearing waders you’ll get smothered in mud.
9. The Bankes Arms, Studland
This 16th century pub is a delightful old inn and has connections to smuggling as recently as the
mid-Victorian era. To get to the pub, drop your anchor in Studland Bay and use your tender to get ashore. Once there, you can take the short coastal path to the pub.
The Purbeck Stone building boasts fantastic views of the sea and Isle of Wight, along with plenty of fine ales. The Bankes Arms is also the home of the Isle of Purbeck brewery where they make ales on site to accompany their range of nine others.
10. The Anchor Bleu, Chichester Harbour
Get your tides right to dry out against the stone quay at Bosham and you could be enjoying some quality ales as the high tide laps below. This cosy pub is full of character and popular with sailors from both near and afar.
The pub offers extensive outside seating on its harbour-side patio, perfect for frittering away the hours on a sunny weekend. They serve several real ales at the bar as well as lagers, a range of local ciders and specially selected wines.