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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Friday, 1st July 2022
With picture contributions to 5179 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Watermans Arms, Windsor
Eton
Postal town: Windsor
SL4 6BW
Served areas
Reviews of Watermans Arms (Average Rating: 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 1947 recommendations about 1860 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 2452 recommendations about 2451 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 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
View more reviews of Watermans Arms (10)
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- Official site of the Watermans Arms - www.watermans-eton.com
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- CAMRA WhatPub :: Watermans Arms - whatpub.com
Windsor & Eton Central, 0.46 miles, 8 min walk (show)
Datchet, 1.76 miles, 33 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : Yes - May - last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 17 November 2015 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 21 December 2021 by Blue Scrumpy
- Darts : Yes last updated 12 October 2015 by hondo .
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 17 November 2015 by Pub SignMan
- Micropub : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 12 October 2015 by hondo .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 09 December 2015 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 12 October 2015 by hondo .
