Name: The Boathouse

Address: Boathouse, Bradford on Avon Marina, Widbrook, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1UD

Email: hello@boathouse.pub

Telephone: 01225 309318

Website: http://www.boathouse.pub/

Parking: Large car park out the front

Children’s menu: Yes

Disabled Friendly: Yes

Food: 9/10

Choice: 8/10

Décor: 8/10

Ambience: 7/10

Value for money: 8/10

Main course prices: £9.50-£22.50

Tripadvisor rating: 3.5/5

One customer’s review on TripAdvisor reads: “We recently visited, the food we received was of good quality at a reasonable price. The menu did not wow me but I believe that is personal preference. Staff were friendly and helpful.”

IN between Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge sits the warm and welcoming Boathouse restaurant, resting on the edge of Bradford marina, welcoming customers for some nautical nourishment.

On a cold Monday evening two workmates and I decided to try our hand at the eatery in Trowbridge Road. After having a look at its varied and interesting menu online earlier that day, luckily we managed to stay afloat throughout the course of the evening.

We decided to book up early just in case of a busy night, but were surprised when it turned out we were the only booked guests of the evening, having the majority of the dining area to ourselves. Whilst some may find a near-empty restaurant off putting, personally I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere without the feeling of being rushed out of the door.

We arrived early so we could sit back with a pint and peruse the menu whilst we enjoyed the warm and comfortable surroundings we found ourselves in. My friend Stefan opted for a pint of Doombar (£3.60) and Robin and I decided on Grolsch (£3.90). The friendly waitress then returned with the menus and to be honest, I found it very hard to choose. We had decided on just having mains, then changed our mind after seeing the starter dishes.

I went for the ham hock with roasted root vegetables and vegetable crisps (£6.50), Robin opted for the creamy garlic mushrooms with toast (£5.50) and Stefan (when he finally was able to pronounce it) chose the rillettes of venison haunch and pork belly with bread (£7.00). All three of us were satisfied, I thought the ham hock and root vegetables was beautifully served and had a sweet taste to counteract the salty pork, and the other two seemed more than happy as well.

Not long after our plates had been cleared our main course arrived. I had chosen the Wiltshire pulled pork with crackling, chips (I had ask for a replacement for the spring onion and mustard potato cake), and buttered winter greens (£12.95), Stefan went for the Boathouse burger and Robin the catch of the day (£12.50).

My pulled pork went down a treat, I was half expecting a barbecue flavoured, sickly sweet bowl of it but it was savoury and rich, topped off with perfect crackling. It really warmed me up on such a bitter evening. Robin was very pleased with his fish and chips, struggling to finish the ample portion, and Stefan liked his burger overall but commented on the tough and smoky bacon strip which he left. Due to filling up quickly, Stefan left the bun of his burger in the middle of the table so I snapped at the opportunity to use it to dip into the delicious gravy with my pulled pork.

All in all, our dining experience at the Boathouse was a very positive one, definitely a place I would look to revisit in the near future so I could sample some of the other offerings the restaurant presents its customers.

Patrick Mclean