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Detail Pages
Watermans Arms, Windsor
Eton
Postal town: Windsor
SL4 6BW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Watermans Arms
Located just off Eton’s attractive High Street, and perhaps therefore missing out on some of the tourists strolling over the footbridge from Windsor, it’s worth walking the extra few yards to track it down as it certainly appears to be one of the more appealing options in the vicinity.
It’s largely open plan internally forming a rough U shape around the bar counter, although there is also a small snug just opposite the bar. It’s quite cosy and traditional inside, with flagstone style tiling on the floor, black wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and cream plasterwork above. The snug area was painted entirely black, and some wine box end wall paper made a bit of a feature at one end. The snug had a red tartan carpet covering much of the floor, and a good selection of beer mats tacked to the ceiling, but the main things of note were several shelves of books lining much of the room. These were available to buy at £1 each in aid of a local charity, but unusually many of them appeared to be new although there were some second-hand ones in there as well. Elsewhere were a couple of brick fireplaces with wood burning stoves and all manner of nautical artefacts as befits it’s location. A map of the Thames had been drawn on to the ceiling although much of this was obscured by a very long sculling boat and it’s oars. Elsewhere were more oars, ship’s wheels, and of course, the obligatory display of knots in a glass case, as well as shields, flags, lots of tankards hung from the beams and a pile of board games. The menu offered a decent looking selection of pub grub dishes, and our ciabatta’s with Brie & Bacon and Prawn Salad certainly hit the spot.
Beers on tap were Purity Ubu and Mad Goose, Shepherd Neame’s Storm IPA, Adnams Ghost Ship, St Austell Proper Job and Wadworth’s 6X. Ciders were well represented with Snail’s Bank Fruit Bat, Harry’s Flash Harry, Lilley’s Red Rabbit, Aspall’s Suffolk and Inch’s Medium Apple. All in all, a cracking pub and well worth checking out.
On 5th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Watermans Arms
I've walked past this Eton hostelry many times, but don't ever recall setting foot inside.
The pub features plenty of rowing memorabilia throughout, including a boat hanging from the ceiling in the main room. A couple of small side rooms make this a cosy place for a drink.
The girl behind the bar was welcoming. Although the ale range appeared to be much reduced from normal with just Windsor & Eton Knight of the Garter & Black Sheep Blitzen on. Another handpull was clipped with Weston's Old Rosie cider.
CAMRA 50p off vouchers are apparently still accepted here. I quite enjoyed my half of Blitzen and would have had a pint in hindsight. But you never quite know when it comes to festive beers.
We listened in interest as one guy was about to pay his balance for a Christmas Day meal. £75 seemed a little steep, but maybe that is the going rate. The barmaid revealed they had received quite a few cancellations despite deposits having been paid. I was left wondering if the meals will actually be served or whether Boris will intervene to cancel Christmas again?!
On 21st December 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2454 recommendations about 2453 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Watermans Arms
This pub works best in the Xmas period, so I was pleased to drop in again. That said, I think they carry too many beers and my Harveys Best was so-so. Having them all spread round the bar doesn't help either.
December 2015
Not much change from below and I was getting too sozzled to write much down beyond the fact my St Austell Proper Job was in decent shape, though expensive. It’s a nice pub though. Rated 7
March 2014
The most authentic pub experience in Eton (and most of Windsor), low-ceilinged and cosy. A semi-octagonal shaped bar with some nice backlit picked plastic(?) above, depicting the pub name. To the right is flagstone flooring and a dart board. To the left, log fire and some carpeting. There’s a cosy room off to the left of entrance. ‘Clansman’ function room, located further round the left of the bar, was being prepared for a birthday. The place has been festooned with bric-brac, highlights included; world flag bunting snaking along the wall, pewter tankards hanging from beams, a jumbo champagne magnum above fireplace and a mega-jumbo champagne cork doubling-up as a seat. For punter entertainment there’s an impressive selection of board games, along with some newspapers and magazines. The ceiling mural of the Thames remains and Staines is still shockingly(!) unmentioned. Eight ales with a fair range; WEBREW Knight of the Garter, Hobgoblin, Brakspear Bitter, Harveys Sussex Best, Skinners Cornish Knocker on five pumps to the right, Old Hooky, Abbot and a house beer (brewed by Caledonian, presumably a rebadge) on three to the left. Old Rosie and Rosie's Pig cider in boxes plus an unusual sight - Courage Mild on keg. I opted for the Skinners at 2 quid for a half and it was rather disappointing, musty and listless; the dead hand of the cask breather, I wonder? The single foreign barmaid was struggling a bit taking orders which deadened the pace at the bar. I’d pop in again and hope for better on the ale side, as it’s a nice place. Rated 6
December 2005
Not far from Eton Bridge but also off the beaten track, this seemed very nice inside and had a good ale selection (including Hogs Back) and a friendly staff member behind the bar. Was quite empty when I went in though. Has a hand-painted map of the Thames on the ceiling which I fear has caused many people to fall off their chairs when drunk; it doesn't have Staines marked on though, so minus points there. Not bad. Rated 6
On 15th December 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Watermans Arms
If you are navigating down the Thames,most likely you will moor up along the bank of the Brocas,a large park and The Watermans Arms is your nearest watering hole,just head towards the Eton bridge.It is a charming corner pub,quite small inside but with a large function room to one side which looks best avoided.
The U shaped bar dominates the rest of the interior with a collections of small tables for seating,and a substantial real fireplace.Rowing boats make up some of the interior features,a single skull suspended from the ceiling while there are interesting artifacts dotted about ;it really is very charming.
You will need to walk around the bar to clock whats on the 7 handpumps,on my trip that meant Adnams Ghost Ship (very decent),Harveys Sussex Ale (vinegar but replaced without debate),Binghams Twyford Tipple,Brakspears Bitter ,Watermans house beer,Hobgoblin (reversed) and something nationally available I failed to note.For a GBG listed pub,the ale selection seemed a bit unexciting but given the area is a tourist hot spot,this has the feel of a proper pub and it wasnt rammed unlike the River nearby on a very hot day.
A safe choice for a decent pint,we tried the light bite food options which were good.Worth including on any crawl of the area.
On 21st July 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Watermans Arms
Set down a backstreet on the Eton side of the river, close to the footbridge over to Windsor, this is a lovely little cosy boozer that seems to escape the attention of the tourist masses. You enter into the main bar with the servery directly opposite. The bar serves a U shaped room and thus follows a similar shape itself. Plenty of standard and bench seating can be found around the periphery of the room, whilst a small recess to the front has several comfy armchairs under a series of well stocked book shelves, which can give the impression of sitting in a library if you find yourself sat with your back to the rest of the pub. The rest of the bar area is decorated with plenty of nautical themed items and bits of breweriana, which are worth having a bit of a nose through and include a painting of the Thames on one of the ceiling beams. To the rear left is a sizeable function room which has none of the bar area’s charm and was being set up for a private party when we arrived. A door to the left takes you out to a patio with plenty of seating in a well kept space.
The pub has appeared in recent editions of the Good Beer Guide and there was a good range of ales available on this visit. The hand pumps are scattered around the bar, so it took me a while to establish that the full line-up was Windsor and Eton Knight of the Garter, Skinners Cornish Knocker, Brakspear Bitter, Wychwood Hobgoblin, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, Adnams Ghost Ship, West Berkshire Blindside Flanker and a house beer apparently brewed by Caledonian. We sampled several pints of the Knight of the Garter and thought it was in great shape. The barmaid was very friendly and patient, taking time to talk companions through the various boxes of cider stacked on the bar back.
I thought this was an excellent back street pub that has bags of character, a comfortable, cosy feel and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The beer was spot on and with such easy access from the other side of the river I would suggest this is an essential port of call for any visitor to Windsor or Eton.
On 17th November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Watermans Arms
Interior basically as described below. 8 real ales taps ( 6 on during my visit) and westons cider served.
On 12th October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Watermans Arms
( Blimey - no one's posted on this pub for close on 5 years )
Date of visit - August 2013
Just across the river bridge from Windsor into Eton and down a side street off Eton High Street, is The Watermans Arms. As we approach the pub, we see signs telling us that it dates back to AD 1542 and is apparently “the oldest pub in the area”. We also see that it promotes itself as a “Real ale, cider and champagne house”. According to the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, the building acted as a temporary mortuary during the plague.
It’s a reasonably attractive low ceilinged interior with several adjoining areas around a horseshoe shaped bar. The Dragon Boat Room has dark wood panelling and spindle backed chairs and, with a large collection of books for sale / hire in aid of the Swan Sanctuary on shelves around the room, resembles an old library.
The pub is largely traditionally furnished although, along one wall near the door, are a number of tall bucket seats which really are more suited to a High Street fast food outlet. Rather unusually, a large part of the interior is given over to a function room – The Clansman Function Room – which, on my recent late evening visit, was hosting what appeared to be some kind of dancing activity. There’s an outside patio area, but no riverside views.
A collection of different countries miniature flags hang from the ceiling, as does a large upturned rowing boat, although there’s no tourist influence and, seemingly, no food except on Sunday to tempt the casual visitor in. Indeed, on my visit, it was quite apparent that there were a good number of regular customers on first name terms with the staff and a warm and friendly atmosphere prevailed.
The normal three legged circular tables bear a rowing motif and the legend “Watermans Arms, Oar – gasmic” which, we learn, is the name for the house beer specifically brewed for the pub, rather notably, by Caledonian.
There’s 8 pumps in total ( increased from 6 in recognition of gaining entry in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2013 according to the local CAMRA branch magazine – CAMRA Angle ). As well as Oar – gasmic, beers on included Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, Brakspears Bitter, Binghams Twyford Tipple, Skinners Cornish Knocker and 2 from Windsor and Eton Brewery. Quality was first rate.
Her Ladyship is keen and enthusiastic and this contributed towards a very enjoyable and impressive visit. I small definitely make a point of crossing over the bridge to come here next time I’m in Windsor
On 28th October 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Helen Mallett left this review about Watermans Arms
Real ales next to an open fire in winter, or chilled white wine in the beer garden in summer - this pub is alway warm and welcoming and serves the best homemade burgers I have ever tasted. (The fish and chips are pretty good too). For a pleasant stop during a riverside walk (dogs are made as welcome as the people), a family evening out or a connivial session with friends, this pub is hard to beat.
On 12th October 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Watermans Arms
Surprisingly quiet early evening although this seems to be a theme reading earlier reviews. Reasonable pub close to the bridge and river, nice interior with lots of nooks and crannies. Mariners charts, river maps etc abound. A rear open unfenced garden looks out onto 1970's townhouses, I'd grow a hedge or something.
London Pride, Brakspears Best and Wychwood Hobgoblin. The Hogs Back TEA was sadly off.
On 19th July 2008
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lefty Zacharides left this review about Watermans Arms
The Watermans Arms has a seating area out the back, the windsor sightseeing tour passes by (see photo). (caters for food)
On 2nd November 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 11 recommendations about 11 pubs]