The Boathouse, Salisbury

Apparently converted from a boatman’s cottage, presumably when they built the coach parking terminal over the way. It’s an inverse TARDIS, smaller inside than the exterior suggests. Inside is a sad and anodyne disappointment, a long room mainly set for dining in a downmarket way – you’d be gutted if you got off a coach and were told that this your tick-box British pub, it’s about as traditional as a Novichok pizza. Three pumps with one on, a GK house brew (just about acceptable condition), at least served up by a friendly barmaid. The rear of the pub overlooks the river which I suspect was warmer than the inside of this ghastly place. Avoid. 2.5

If this really is an historic building converted from a boatman's cottage I clearly failed to notice the evidence. Despite the attractive setting beside the River Avon, the building feels modern, clinical and plastic. Mainly carpeted, there are massed ranks of crammed in tables with gaudy red chairs, little in the way of decor to arouse interest although stairs lead up to a space unvisited by myself. Greene King beers, three on, Abbot, Ruddles Best and the usual badged one, Boat House Ale. The Eastern European barmaid was reasonably friendly and helpful to a pair of grandparents heroically looking after a pair of twin babies, but I cannot say anything really other than the pub is adequate and clean and will provide a function for those who are happy with a place like this. Not my sort of place.