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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (375)
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374 results
Traveller rating
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LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
168
64
52
43
47
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All reviews sandwich the river outside seating the pub lovely lunch chips medway lock
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Reviewed 1 week ago

I can highly recommend the food which was delicious but I am sad to say the service really let this restaurant down. We were left for ages between courses with only half our dishes cleared away. The waitress had gone off to clear another table...and completely forgotten about us. I actually had to go and find a wairess to ask if we could order our dessert. It was such a shame as, as I said the food was lovely, waiting staff letting the whole experience down leaving us waiting for well over 45 minutes between courses.More

Date of visit: April 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 4 November 2023

Fantastic murder mystery night!! Great food and service and the entertainment was brilliant. The manageress was an excellent hostess and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening.

Date of visit: November 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 27 October 2023

Beautiful restaurant very friendly staff Tom a new member was so attentive and polite to us The food excellent I said to complement the chef really good food Thank you

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 22 October 2023 via mobile

We visited on Sunday lunchtime as a party of 7. I called twice to add to our party & this was done efficiently. On arrival the car park was full. I had a disabled guest and the two disabled spaces were taken by cars with...no badges displayed however luckily a small space came available so no harm however if this had not it would have been a long walk from the road and we would have probably thought twice about bothering. Anyway we were a bit early so decided on a drink outside as it was nice. The lady behind the bar was super friendly and helpful allowing a small taster of ales beforehand. Outside seating is pleasant overlooking the lock and is probably the selling point of this place. We went inside to eat and were slightly surprised no Sunday roast was on the menu and I think they are missing a trick there. Starters were wings, calamari, Welsh rarebit, mushrooms and Camembert and being brutally honest none of them were worth talking about. For the mains we had chicken burger, beef burger, pizza, pie and fish (haddock) and chips. The winner hands down was the haddock! A huge fleshy portion with nice batter. Pizzas were also nice, good base, burgers did as said on the tin but the pie was least favourite. We didn’t have puds as too full. In my opinion the food needs tweaking - not the cooking, it was cooked perfectly well but the menu needs a bit of work as the choices were pretty uninspiring and dull. Now it sounds like I’m being negative but really the reason for the honest review is this place has so much potential because the staff here are lovely and really seem to want to make it a huge success. The lady on front of house was really bubbly and went over and above to make our experience good. Our waiter was delightful and discreet but there when u needed anything all smiley and pleasant. The restaurant itself is comfortable, bright and clean. All in all I would give 8/10. If the menu choice were better it would be at least 9.5. We will return againMore

Date of visit: October 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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Thank you for such a in-depth and honest review of your latest visit with us. Reviews like yours are the reason we love hospitality- The team all remember your table well, we are super chuffed that we made such a memorable time for you and...More

Reviewed 18 October 2023

We stopped here for a drink recently. Our first problem was finding our way in! The old entrance over the bridge is inaccessible and there were no signs anywhere, so we tried going the the car park at the rest and eventually discovered the entrance....We were surprised cash was not accepted here, luckily one of us has a debit card. The drinks were quite expensive. Outside is very scruffy with an abundance of weeds, and some uncleared tables. We were not impressed.More

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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Thank you for reviewing us. We have been working behind the scene with designers on the above issues you mentioned, we totally agree how confusing the Boathouse is, now that we are coming into our off peak season these plans with start to take shape...More

Reviewed 24 September 2023

out on the river and ate before turning back. pizza was top notch. service friendly. have eaten there again since and same result.

Date of visit: September 2022
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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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Im glad you love our Pizzas as much as we do!!!! Hope to see you soon. Team Boathouse.

Reviewed 14 September 2023

What has happened to the food at The Boathouse? They weren't busy and our food order was first in. My burger was the worst I have ever had. I should of sent it straight back but persevered as was with a friend and didn't want...to make a fuss. It was overcooked, so dry and the chips were luke warm. There is no attention to presentation, and their lovely ranch sauce has been replaced with standard ketchup in a paper cup - how I hate those paper vessels with their minimum content. I did complain and got 10 percent of the bill - then gave it back in a service charge! It's a shame as the location is lovely, but I won't be going back.More

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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Were sorry that on this occasion we didn't quite get it right, We always try and rectify issues in real time, this is why we use a check back with restaurant guests to fix things quickly and efficiently, I'm sorry that you felt you couldn't...More

Reviewed 1 September 2023

Disappointing, very restricted menu, food average, didn't realise it closed at 9pm but were hurried along so that we would leave, bar lights turned off & doors locked to the patio. Won't be recommending.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write a account of your visit. We are sorry on this occasion we didn't quite get it right for you, during the last 2 weeks of august we begrudgingly had to run a garden menu which sees certain...More

Reviewed 27 August 2023

Disappointing visit today - family lunch. No table service. Very limited and expensive menu. No choice of starters or Sunday roast. Meals overall disappointing, not very flavourful and warm at best. Really nicely positioned restaurant sadly not making the most of their opportunity. Won’t be...visiting again.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Hi boss232, During peak times we adapt our service cycle and menu taking on board numerous factors, this is to aid the days service and help it run the most quickest and efficient way possible without hindering the quality of the dishes leaving the kitchen....More

Reviewed 27 August 2023

Disappointing visit as menu had changed since we'd booked for a birthday celebration expecting a 3 course meal, now a limited menu and no starters. Terrible customer service and very slow service. 5 of us but one main course arrived over 5 mins after all...the others. Ordered desserts again 4 turned up together the 5th never turned up at all. After asking a waitress who said said she'd go and sort it but never came back we resorted in speaking to the manager who eventually sorted the missing dessert and gave us a refund. Such a shame as its a lovely Pub with good food in a great location.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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Im sorry we could not give the top notch service we always strive to deliver. We would love to help turn your negative experience back into a positive and do hope you will pop in again soon. Rachel (general manager)

Reviewed 24 August 2023 via mobile

A very disappointing meal cold food the steak was so tough I couldn’t eat it. Poor service very slow one meal arrived before the others. Menu not as on the website no starters and very little choice. We won’t be returning

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback we apologise that your experience was less than ideal, and we hope you‘ll give us another chance to prove ourselves. Rachel and the team.

Reviewed 20 August 2023 via mobile

Dirty plates and glasses all over the place. Looked like Sunday morning after a heavy Saturday night that hadn’t been cleaned up. Barman was on it. Two female staff gossiping by till ignored me! Food was lovely but beautiful setting totally spoiled by laziness as...there were only a few tables of people so no excuse to not tidy up and make it a welcoming environment.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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

We’re so sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with our Team, We have shared your review with them and use this as a coaching tool to continue to improve. Rachel (general manager)

Reviewed 18 August 2023

We visited for one main reason - the ploughman’s platter, only to find that it was “not available “ !! When asking why - we were told they couldn’t get the ingredients !! I also didn’t pay enough attention when I was asked if I...wanted the bread roll to go with my ham, egg and chips - only to find (when receiving the bill) that one sourdough roll was £4.50 !! Aside of all that, it’s a lovely settingMore

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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback, Sometimes during peak trade, dishes do run out, this is due to only using fresh ingrediants and when a dish is a popular one it can become unavailable untill oor chefs can get a chance...More

Reviewed 13 August 2023

The worst customer service experience ever !!! - food was a 45 minute wait when it was very quiet for a saturday early evening, food was over cooked and when we highlighted it to the manager she was clearly out of her depth and so...agressive!! We were not asking for money off our bill an acknowledgement and apology would have gone a long way but she made it out like we were trying to get free food! disgusting behaviour and good luck to anyone who tries to voice any concern to the manager..More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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 13 August 2023

Beautiful place but the food was disgusting it was burnt and cold at a four dinners one was ok unfortunately they offered us a free round of drinks which was lovely but unfortunately we'll not be going back not to eat

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Rachel Webb, General Manager at The Boathouse, responded to this reviewResponded 24 October 2023

We are sorry that your meals were less than perfect, we certainly dont rest on our laurels so take feedback seriously, we use reviews to better our service. We hope you give us another try in the near future. Rachel (general manager)

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Questions & Answers
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Tatiana B
31 January 2022|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from Marc W | Reviewed this property |
Only at the outside, veranda, tables. However food is worth the shiver or leave the dog in the car!
1
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631sallyb
27 June 2018|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from MarkW229 | Reviewed this property |
We went at lunch and was very busy I would book yes
1
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THE BOATHOUSE, Yalding - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Boathouse

Yes, The Boathouse offers takeaway services.

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

The Boathouse is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 3.5
  • Service: 3.5
  • Value: 3.5
  • Atmosphere: 3.5