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Detail Pages
The Boat, Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted
HP4 2EF
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Boat
This is a smart Fullers pub with an ideal canal-side location. The pub has a roughly U shaped interior, with a servery which follows a similar shape. You enter from the canal side into the left hand side of the room which has a smart, lounge bar feel to it, with plush furnishings, nice décor and several fancy mirrors on the walls. Opposite the main section of the bar there are a few seats available which are under the front windows. Parts of this front wall comprise folding doors which can be opened out to a decent sized area of canal side decking in what I imagine would be a nice spot for a drink in the summer months. The right hand side of the pub had a large screen showing the evening’s late football fixture, and judging by the number of patrons wearing rugby jerseys, I suspect the afternoon’s six nations matches had preceded this. Several other TV screens were dotted around the pub and were also showing the game. The large crowds watching the big screen made it very hard to explore this half of the pub, but there looked to be quite a bit of standard table and chair seating. Music was playing fairly loudly, as you might expect in a busy pub on a Saturday evening.
Four Fullers ales were available at the bar – London Pride, ESB, Chiswick and Front Row – with Honeydew on tap. I gave the Front Row a try and thought it was in good condition and better than I remember it from previous years. The bar was well staffed, preventing long waiting times and they seemed like a friendly and courteous bunch.
With the pub so packed on my visit, it was tricky to get a good feel for the place, but I thought it was another solid Berkhamsted pub with good beer and friendly staff and locals. It also acts as a nice counterpoint to the more traditional Rising Sun, a little further along the towpath.
On 2nd March 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Boat
The gas effect fires give this place away,its functional but lacking in canalside charm.A Fullers managed house but the ESB was in very good condition.Interesting experience if you use the WC which is situated at the back of the building below street level,the rushing noise as cars pass virtually overhead can be very offputting.
On 31st March 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Boat
A very good pint of ESB with Pride and Discovery also available. Food was ok but not the cheapest. Easier to use at lunchtime as it always seems to be packed in the evening, not a criticism more an observation.
UPDATE 31/3/2011
The Boat remains on good form with a friendly welcome, decent food menu, clean and comfortable interior with wooden floors, sofas and real (gas) fires.
Worth noting that there is a large terrace overlooking the canal which gets busy on sunny days and acts as an overflow to this popular boozer on weekend evenings.
Beer: Fullers Front Row, London Pride and ESB. The ESB was on excellent form and makes The Boat worth a visit for this alone.
On 31st March 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Castro-Garcia left this review about The Boat
Fullers London Pride, ESB, Honeydew and Discovery. Large premises, plenty of seating inside and out, next to the canal.
TV and music, helpful, friendly barstaff
On 17th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 22 recommendations about 22 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Boat
Nice pub next to the canal.Nice and cosy inside and I would imagine it would be nice outside in the summer sitting by the canal.Fuller's beers on tap.10 mins from the railway station
On 19th December 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Boat
A modern decor style Fullers House with a canal side location with a nice outside patio area to watch the passing boats from. One bar pub inside with a central bar area, pleasant seating at one end and a flat screen for the sport at the other. Nicely decorated in modern wood paneling style. Has some information on the walls pertaining to the novelist Graeme Green, who was a Berkhamsted resident. Usual range of fullers ales on offer of which I tried the Pride and it was perfectly fine.
I thought the menu was a bit pricey and the missus was disappointed with her mussels which were a bit bland but I couldn't fault the Steak and Ale pie But all in all a decent enough pub for a pint by the canal.
On 13th October 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Boat
Fullers House with a canal side location and a nice outside patio area. Inside is nicely decorated with comfortable furnishings. One corner of the pub is given over in memory of Berkhamsted's favourite son novelist Graham Greene. Friendly and efficient service, usual Fullers beers including bottled ESB and London Porter. They could be a bit more creative with the pub sign, it's a bit like Clarice Cliff trying her hand at boating scenes.
On 9th February 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]