The Greyhound Inn, Northampton

Chef & Brewer outlet set in enviable grounds with a large grassed front garden and a pond. Rambling multi-room interior in the usual C&B stylings - quarry tiling, fake wood beams, battleship grey, muzak. A let-down on the beer front, 3x GK and Bombardier, what a load of rubbish. The Purple Reign (not in homage to a dead 80’s popster) was at least in good nick. A manager with a bit of imagination could turn this into a destination venue for both drinking and dining. 5.5

The Tottenham area isn't noted for its quaint historic waterside hostelries so finding the Ferry Boat Inn initially comes as a bit of a pleasant shock. Originally the base for a ferry that crossed the River Lea (which was presumably a bit wider than it is now) it was made into a pub in 1738. From the outside, it has the appearance of a country dining pub but it is geared as much for comfortable drinking as it is for leisurely dining. The rambling interior has undergone fairly extensive refurbishments but does at least still retain a kind of old farmhouse style with flag stoned floors and a couple of large brick wood burning fireplaces. The central main bar is quite open with a couple of narrower but good sized areas tucked down the sides of the pub, tucked away behind the remnants of the retaining walls. The décor is of a rustic nature without being particularly interesting, a few settles and old dressers, some old pictures of the Tottenham area (including one of an 1895 Tottenham Hotspurs (sic) match) but overall it is a bit generic. Behind the pub is a pleasant and fairly large beer garden that runs alongside the River Lea with plenty of seating. There were 3 Ales on my visit but nothing to get excited about - Green King IPA, Adnams and Bombardier (not available). The Adnams was drinkable but so cloudy it looked like it had been scooped out of the adjoining reservoir which was disappointing for a Cask Marquee accredited pub. The IPA was much better (and I don't often put that in a review). Since the area is largely a Real Ale desert, anything on offer becomes a plus point but you can't help thinking that the place should be aiming at something a little more imaginative if it really wants to step up a level. It should be noted that the wine list and food menu looked very reasonable although I have not tried either to date. Due to the lack of any realistic competition, the Ferry Boat is certainly well above average for the area and does have a lot of appeal but it just lacks that bit of extra detail and effort that would make it a pub to go out of the way for.

Refurbed a year ago ,this is one of the better Chef and Brewer chain pubs.Interior sympathetic to the old building with several different areas and it is possible to drink here and not eat,although most punters will be consuming the respectable grub.Bomber and Old Peculiar normally joined by a few guest ales which were in good condition on my visit.Set back from the road the pub seems quite grand on entering and there are a number of out buildings which add character .