In a stretch of the river surprisingly free of watering holes, the Boaters Inn covers most of the bases by being a family pub offering good food, plenty of outdoor space, a great view and - as if that wasn’t enough - live jazz.

The Venue
Tucked away in a leafy area beside the Thames, looking more like a 1970s Scout hut, the Boaters Inn doesn’t look like much from the outside. However, make your approach from the river and you get an altogether different view. This pub has been here for over 30 years and is the only riverside watering hole in the area. Boasting a terrace, a large patio that spills over into surrounding Canbury Park and its own mooring, this pub has a further reaching demographic than the local sailing enthusiasts who frequent it. It’s a fair old hike – around 15 minutes - from Kingston railway station but it’s a picturesque one leading away from the madness that is the town centre, and it’s worth the effort.

Inside, the space is divided into a small dining area, ideal for families, away from the main part of the bar. There are a couple of comfy sofas and a coffee table in front of the flat screen television if you fancy vegging and a more sedate collection of chairs and tables where you can eat or just hang out. The theme is vaguely nautical but over the years the decor has become more homely with a roaring fire in the winter and French windows opening onto the covered terrace in the summer.

The Atmosphere
During the week, and especially on fine days, the Boaters Inn is a popular place for local workers to grab lunch. They sit happily alongside the inevitable mums with pushchairs who drop in on their way back from the nearby playground. Being a residential area, weekday lunchtimes are never very busy and it’s always possible to get a table. Weekends are a different story, however, and if the sun is out you’ll have a wait on your hands. The atmosphere is upbeat with a lively mixture of families of all ages and singles who all seem happy to jostle for bar room. The live jazz on Sunday evenings have become something of a pull, with a great reputation for the high calibre of performer you would expect to see in Central London.

The Food
The quality of the food at Boaters Inn has improved tremendously in the past year and it’s not just the generous Sunday Roasts that are bringing the punters in. Classic dishes such as fish and chips, beef lasagne and sausage and mash with onion gravy are delicious and hugely filling while more unusual choices like Stinking Bishop pie keep things interesting. There are several options for vegetarians and should you have room the puddings - in particular the calorific sticky toffee pudding - are fabulous. Where once you wouldn’t dream of it, this is now a bona fide place to have a decent dinner.

The Drink
The vast and frequently changing selection of real ales, both regional and local, means you will be spoilt for choice. Over one weekend there can be as many as four beers from the nearby Twickenham brewery (Sundancer, Spring Ale, Pale Beauty and Grandstand), the usual draught lagers Heineken, Bitburger and Amstel to name a few, as well as Guinness and Bulmers.

The Last Word
This is a comfortable, reliable family pub that comes into its own in the summer months. For tasty food and a relaxing drink in green and pleasant surroundings, you can usually bank on the Boaters Inn for a seat, friendly service and even an evening of jazz.

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