The Grove Ferry, Canterbury

This riverside Shepherd Neame pub was built in 1831 and is named after a ferry service that once operated outside. The grand exterior is of an ivy clad mansion house with a porticoed entrance that leads you to expect a rather sumptious interior however the pub has been ransacked of much of its decadent charm in favour of the contemporary style that has befallen many a traditional pub in the name of gastronomy. The off centre island bar is surrounded by sofa laden comfort at the front, a grand piano gracing the rear bar and too much of the now familiar stripped back grey décor that is taking over the world of pubs although there are a couple of fine brick arched fireplaces kept for posterity. One corner of the pub contains a deli counter and food bar selling various local jams and preserves and the local food theme is continued with an interesting scheme whereby locals can swap home grown vegetables for meal vouchers. The ambience feels quite formal and I always feel underdressed and out of place as I trape in from my slog across the marshes from Stodmarsh carrying binoculars and Wading Birds for Beginners guide book. Fortunately, since I have only ever been here on glorious sunny afternoons, I have always been able to make use of the riverside terrace seating beneath the weeping willows where you can watch the narrow boats and river traffic pass by. There is also a large beer garden complete with kids play area and a huge lawn with benches to the front of the pub. A separate Function suite is vaialble for hire and there is also a range of boat trips along the River Stour that start fom the pub. The ales are not particularly extensive with just Master Brew, Early Bird and Late Red on my most recent visit with a further 3 pumps unused. The quality has always been fine but the prices are pretty hefty. I have always treated the place as a convenient half way house for my walking activities and the location makes it worth the walk when the weather allows but there isn’t really enough here to entice me for a session on a wet November’s evening when it is best left to the diners rather than the ramblers.