The Riverside Inn, Ashford

Thoroughly refurbished 'Ale & Feasting House', featuring a compact bar /seating area to the right of the side entrance and an equally small dining area to the left. Modern furniture and restrained decor in each part. Didn't look at the menu, but quite a few people eating so I guess it's doing OK with its (new, more upmarket) target demographic. Four handpumps on the counter, offering Pride, Tribute, the seasonal A Good Stuffing from Wells (£3.60) and Rosie's Pig cider.

Official site of The Riverside Inn - www.riversideinnashford.co.uk

Official site of The Riverside Inn - www.riversideinnashford.co.uk

I visited the Riverside Inn late on Friday afternoon last week and was surprised at how compact the interior is compared to the exterior. As the name suggests this pub is located next to a river (East Stour), but I don’t think that the full advantage of the riverside location is exploited. Although there is a very big grass covered beer garden out the back bushes and trees mask the river. Unfortunately the most prominent feature that is obvious from the picnic tables are the cars that speed along the adjacent A2042. Directly outside the back door are a few covered picnic tables that were being used by the only two other customers during my visit. Inside the pub there is seating to the left of the entrance along the front windows that face the car park. All of these were set for dining, but I didn’t spot any menus. The small bar area is located to the right of the entrance where four standard draught products can be purchased. There are also four hand pumps, but one of these was unused and another was off leaving Doom Bar and Pride as the ale options. I didn’t notice the presence of a television, but there was some low background music playing and I spotted an advertisement for free Wifi. I found the young lady working behind the bar to be friendly and there was nothing wrong with the Pride. I imagine that this used to be a lovely little pub in a tranquil location before Ashford was split in two by the A road. Nowadays I’m not sure that this pub is worth the walk from the station.