Okay, so my Ferry Boat review deserves another update, I think.
We've been there twice again in the last couple of months and, on both occasions, the experience was a marked improvement on what'd gone on before: we put it down to new management.
The Ferry Boat enjoys a lovely setting - quite remote really in the hamlet of Holywell, itself within the lovely Fenland countryside right next to the River Great Ouse. (Activities on the river no doubt giving the pub its name, and the reason for its very existance, I'd guess).
The pub was as popular as last time - we had trouble finding a table - but unlike on previous occasions there was
No queueing to order and
The meal was brought to us in a decent time.
Unfortunately we didn't spot the separate Midweek Specials menu until we were leaving (why wasn't there one on every table?) but it seems that they were trying hard to offer a good variety. That said, rice dishes seem very out-of fashion anywhere at the moment, and the only pasta dish was vegetarian (not that THAT matters to me, but worth noting.)
On a positive note, they have installed another pump to offer a guest ale - a good pub is notable by the variety of ales on offer, as far as I'm concerned.
And, on both recent visits, the staff were concerned to court our opinion - both in asking us how our meal was (fairly standard, I know) but also asking us to go online and fill out a survey. That's got to be a good sign of a will to improve,
So yeah. The Ferry Boat Inn is on the way up, for us.
We'll be back again soon. read more