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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Beer restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly
Special Occasion Dining, View, Bar Scene
About
The Water Witch was originally converted from purpose built stables in 1978 and offers a large range of high quality dishes ranging from Great British classics to continental cuisine. Our Head Chef sources all of our produce wherever possible from local British suppliers, enabling us to reduce our food miles and serve you the very best of what's in season. Whether you're visiting to sample our superb array of drinks, dine in our restaurant or combining a little of both - you're always guaranteed a warm welcome at the Water Witch.
PRICE RANGE
US$6 - US$32
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub, Beer restaurants
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly
Reviews (859)
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853 results
Traveller rating
376
246
119
62
50
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
376
246
119
62
50
Show reviews that mention
All reviews burger fish and chips sandwiches chicken canal side lovely canal outside seating great setting nice pub great beer real ale sunday lunch ales pint platter specials
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Visited twice this week during business trips. Well advertised specials on certain nights and a good pub quiz on the Thursday. Huge selection of beers with at least 7 hand pulled barrels on tap. Our burgers were OK but the pizza is superb. Very friendly...staff and well furnished.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 week ago

We visited the pub on a Sunday evening to celebrate a birthday with our son who is studying at Lancaster University. The pub was not particularly busy but it still had a really pleasant atmosphere. The food was excellent and the staff were all very...helpful and attentive. We were especially impressed with their attitude when it came to our son who has a severe peanut allergy. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would certainly eat there again. We would recommend the Waterwitch to anyone looking for good food and great service. Many thanks.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Visited recently on one of their special burger nights (we were only aware of this as we’d checked the website before our visit). On arrival, our menu had no mention of the burger offers and the staff made no mention of it. I went to...the bar to ask and was loosely pointed in the direction of some specials sheets that were in a pile on a random table. The two staff members, whilst pleasant enough weren’t very hospitable or overly eager to serve/advise. When the burgers arrived they were a little smaller than expected but were very tasty and we did all enjoy our food. It was by no means a terrible visit but a warmer and more helpful greeting from staff would have gone a long way.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

I visited the Waterwitch tonight with my sister and brother in law and have had the most amazing meal. Two of us had the pie which was absolutely huge and totally delicious. We needed a gluten free meal and there was a great choice and...the fish and chips was again a massive portion and tasty. I had the lamb shank which melted in the mouth. So dog friendly as well. We also enjoyed some really lovely red wine which was really good value for money. All in all a great night- highly recommendedMore

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 19 October 2023 via mobile

We had a lovely meal, the food was excellent, and there is a terrific selection of beers. The staff were first class friendly and helpful.

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 15 October 2023

Fantastic food, mussels especially good. Great service, lovely pub atmosphere, and the selection of beers and wine is broad, so plenty of choice

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 12 October 2023

Decided to try out their vegetarian menu so opted for the vegetarian hotpot as recommended by the counter staff on my visit early October 23. Based on a previous visit I had made when there was a chef’s special dish which was excellently priced at...around £9 made this pathetic mere mortal of an offering pathetic value in respect obviously a rip off. The dish came in a tiny metal hotpot type dish with a lid and I was told by the counter staff that there was only the hotpot or lasagne as vegetarian options on the menu as there was no chef available at the time? I should have twigged as this was such a shockingly meagre vegetarian concoction of a few potatoes lentils and gravy and a half portion at that for £14.99 who do you think your kidding! Well I will not be visiting again and will strongly advise others likewise very dissatisfied customer going by some of the reviews I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks likewise …..AVOID!!!! Instead city centre offer much better value including beer prices look out for thwaites.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 9 October 2023

We came as always for our birthday meals, it’s our favourite place in Lancaster to eat. Always great food and a lovely atmosphere🙌🏻 Burger night Monday is a favourite for us🙌🏻

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 7 September 2023

Just the place to stop after a walk along the canal, plenty of seating both inside and out, friendly staff and fish and chips to die for - simply delicious. The other meals and snacks looked good. Dog friendly.

Date of visit: September 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 September 2023

Great food and a relaxed atmosphere. We had the steak ciabatta, pulled pork fries and the child’s pizza (which was huge!). All food was fresh worth the money. We will certainly be back.

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 August 2023

We tied up jhere one night and came back for more. If you are living on a canal boat the Water Witch is irresistible because you can tie up right outside on convenient rings. .Wide range of beers and good food are a bonus. We...were a bit worried about nocturnal noise but things get pretty quiet by 10 pm ... at least on weekdays. Within easy walking distance of Lancaster shops, historic spots etc.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 14 August 2023

We had the steak ciabatta and the pork lion ciabatta , both were delicious ! , service was brilliant and the atmosphere was very welcoming , great quality for price , will definitely be coming again

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 14 August 2023

Really excellent restaurant, the food is amazing, staff are lovely. My highest compliments to the Chefs! I would definitely recommend this place!

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 11 August 2023 via mobile

I have been here a few times because you could always get a good feed and good value for money,but now they have opted to drastically cut portion sizes and serve everything in silly little pots like tapas food,I am only surprised that the scampi...was not served with a magnifying glass,you used to get a plate full along with decent chips,this was pathetic.there is cutting costs and there is ripping customers off,this is a rip off.I will go down the road to KFC in future.Another good place ruined by bad short sighted management.People will vote with their feet,we just voted,sorry,you need to get the plank out of your eye and up your game or you will slowly sink like the rest.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 1 August 2023 via mobile

Nice pub on a great location by the canal. Good atmosphere and friendly staff, but the food was just average. Sauce with tandoori chicken skewer was really runny and not overly tasty. Everything was alright I suppose, apart from the cheese sauce on the chicken...and bacon fries which seemed like a cheap packet sauce and was pretty awful.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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LightPacker433197
19 August 2020|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from megjopol |
Hi, (not from the WaterWitch in any way!) but I know that the government guidelines was about soft drinks and alcohol free beer/cider doesn't count as soft drinks. You actually get ID'd for them in supermarkets etc. I know... More
2
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millieandjames
11 October 2018|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from X3333SGkevinb | Reviewed this property |
It varies weekly. Always Beef though
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THE WATERWITCH, Lancaster - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Waterwitch

Yes, The Waterwitch is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

The Waterwitch is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4