Barge Gladys in Castle Point

A lovely place kind of place you wish you could find on holiday but never do highly recommended, definitely come again,. !

Definitely one of the more unique drinking establishments I have ever been too with bars on boats being a great rarity in this country. Inside you will find a cozy old world style bar and lounge area. They have a decent selection of lagers, ales, wines and spirits. From those that I personally sampled they tasted fresh and well kept. It should be noted that this establishment is a cash only business and the sign outside reminds customers of this. Expect to find this bar frequented by those living aboard their boats in the boatyard and those walking their dogs along the estuary path. The staff are talkative and friendly and always happy to help.

An interestimg, quirky drinking hole with 'colourful' history! Only take cash which isn't convenient.

Great bar. Good beers and lovely, basic lunches done well. Brilliant atmosphere, music livens it up nicely. Always friendly. Cash only; absolutely no problem as I am old fashioned enough to make sure I have real money on me but does seem to catch people out

Would of been nice in the beer garden but cash only

My girlfriend and I made a point of visiting Gladys yesterday morning before walking to Leigh-On-Sea (highly recommended). What a treat! The setting is fantastic, as is the barge (inside and out); a legacy of our amazing shipbuilding days. We had our coffee outside but it's worth having a good look inside because it's packed with various artefacts collected over the years. Thanks to The Captain for the banter. We're ready for the call-up anytime!

As a German with in-laws from Benfleet, I have loved this place from the start. Best beer garden around!

Great little place on the water. Good beer at cheap prices.

A great location with good views over the estuary. A good sized outdoor garden .decent beer .

A hidden gem a little walk pass the boats when you come upon barge gladys inside it's back in time like a good old fashioned east end bar good choice of drinks in a nice àtmostphere

Great little pub stop after a long walk!

Great Quirky pub/bar or of the way in great surroundings

Have been coming here now for the past 10 years or more, whenever I visit the area. That means that the weather is normally good and the tide on the nearby creek is in, giving it a more picturesque appeal. Overall a good place to stop off, however, I have found that the prices have increased considerably when I visited recently. That said, still a quirky worthwhile place to visit on your travels. Top deck gives a good view all round, but I would be careful of the steep set of stairs leading up to it, especially on the way down!!

After a 3 and a bit mile walk from Leigh we welcomed a delicious half and a toastie. Sat outside in the autumn sunshine ... very nice indeed.

First time there to meet friends, good place will go again

Nice place to sit out side,chat and have a drink.

Lovely to sit out nice views very friendly

Cyril that runs this place such a character!! Nice beer and wine cash only!! But still a great place to visit!!!

Quaint. Really enjoyed sitting in the sun and having a cider on a summers walk along the estuary.

Barge Gladys. What a find! I saw this place on a map app and have meaning to visit for some time. It a bit of a trek from where I live, but close to Benfleet Station and bus routes. It's fairly small inside with a limited (but good) selection of beers and serves food. A large outside seating area has picnic benches overlooking the moorings. One of the plus sides was the cost. Its ridiculously cheap, but the quality doesn't suffer. Be aware. This is a cash only place but there are cash machines by the station. Highly recommended and will definitely be back.

What a fabulous find Cyril the boss an absolute gentleman and jennine a real pleasure to will definitely be going back 😀

Perfect stop on a walk back from Leigh on Sea

Nice little spot for a few beers in the sun. Cold beers, dog friendly, cash only.

Lovely place to come to for a drink. Friendly staff who are very welcoming. Highly recommended stop for those who are on walks or cycling or just out for the day.

Very interesting and deceptively large. Mind your head!

Excellent staff love the place defo going back 👍

Great place to go for drinks well worth a visit

Lovely setting, lotsa friendly folk, guvnor's an irascible character, love it...

A nice escape from the noise of life sea boats and a cup of tea

Always a warm welcome. Great place on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Great location in the late afternoon sun

Decent enough, it is cash only so do bear that in mind. Pool table inside, amble outdoor seating. Standard larger on tap (Carlsberg etc) plus Adnams

We had a lovely time, the staff are very friendly and it was lovely chatting to the other customers that we didn't know

A little gem amongst the boats ..quirky and a good pit stop for a beer on a hot day

Lovely and quaint, a secret hideaway

Second time we've stopped here on our circular walk from Benfleet to Leigh and back. Had a most welcome pint of Ghost Ship on the hottest day of the year yesterday,could've stayed longer but had a bbq to fire up

I love going to the Gladys, a lovely barge pub run by really friendly people.

Would give half a star if could. Went on Sunday. Sat at table for over 15 minutes. Ignored by all staff. Left.

Nice spot, can only go by recent events. If you're a bit of a local then service is good. On the day that we arrived it was table service, but seemingly only to people they knew. We waited for over half an hour whilst they served others that already had drinks. An older man loudly announced that if you weren't patient then you could always go elsewhere. I have the patience of a saint, but got the message and went home.

Interesting spot could do with an update but if the suns out you’re winning

I love this place, the Landlord can be surly, but that's a proper English Landlord if you ask me!

Can't wait until all restrictions are removed.

Little gem of a place, good Covid safe operation, great drinks and snacks at very good prices and lovely staff 👍🏻

GHOST SHIP on a Barge ,what more could you want

And what a grand old girl she is, quirky inside a dinky little bar, good ales,(only had drinks and not food) all very old school, even a pool table inside, outside lots of bench seating, all basic stuff so don't expect a fancy pub and manicured beer garden, well worth a visit, limited open hours, a nice walk from Leigh and get the train back after a few, been meaning to do it for years, glad(ys) we did.

Love this place highly recommend 👌

I have been visiting the barge for some years with my autistic son,on this visit my son followed me into the bar, he's 29,I just couldn't believe how rude the proprietor was to my son,who didn't realise that there was a restriction of two people at the bar.my son was so shocked and upset at how Cyril told him to get away from the bar or go outside he was really upset and we will never go back..

Amazing place moved here 11 months ago covid friendly great ppl love it

Came here for the first time after a walk, went upstairs to sit on top of the boat. If you come on a beautiful sunny day it's an absolute treat whilst watching the boats! Bench we were sitting was a quite wobbly. Also cash only. But overall a great spot for chilled out drinks during the summer

Heaven !! Drink and boats and nice staff. Great fun.

Absolutely lovely afternoon their.

Hey y not nice atmosphere nice hosts

Can you please advise on picture What are the battle pictures from And how do the top relate to the Bottom

Cosy, good drinks and freshly made rool. Great hosts.

We walk our dog by the water and it’s absolutely great to finish up here in this friendly pub. Dog friendly too and an excellent relaxing no nonsense 5 star gem.

Of course a cocktail on a stunning barge Staff friendly. Great atmosphere

Great little cafe just to left of Benfleet yacht club nice and clean really friendly lady enjoy we did

If you want a pub in a nice setting, pool table, serves a nice cup of tea or coffee, nice views, barbecue on a Sunday, friendly service, outside seating, this is for you.

Very nice place and delicious cold and refreshing cider.

It's a pub on a boat! Great on a summer's day to sit in the beer garden over looking the boats on the creek. Prices are reasonable. Doesn't really do meals but serves rolls and crisps. BBQs on Sundays if the weather is good.

Always enjoy our visit 😀 friendly staff lovely lunch and drinks

A extravagant place to visit I deeply enjoyed the service and rules they provide and what made it even better was they even let children in so you can have family fun.

A great view and we really enjoyed their draught cider while sitting on the deck. A fantastic place to pause while walking from Benfleet to Leigh on Sea.

Recently moved to benfleet discovered the Barge after walking our dog. Well I love this place quirky different and a peaceful setting for a drink and to relax. Cyril the owner is a good host the staff and regulars friendly I try and pop in once a week with my dog have a few beers🍺 and a roll. Been in there with wife and friends and all feel the same cheers. See ya Saturday with the lads stock up on the rolls 👍

Great location lovely people always to have a laugh

Great Atmosphere, Very welcoming staff, Place itself is a little treasure, Will definitely visit again

Come here Sunday after so many friends telling me about this little gem.... wow fantastic place. Staff are a great laugh and believe me if your rude to them expect to get it back , they don’t take no rubbish from anyone. This place is cash only, and is NOT a restaurant, it does say it is not a restaurant but they do bar snacks rolls etc and they have a BBQ on a Sunday and the food is out of this world. They have a great selection of drinks and they have there own ale, Gladys a dark ale and it’s a nice drop of beer. This place is old school through and through and well worth a trip. Cheers guys for a great day

Best place for long summer nights...sit outside and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the estuary. Cash only bar. Bar snacks not hot food. Friendly staff...Good selection of drinks. Pool table. Love it!

Really friendly atmosphere cheap drinks and nice owners highly recommend

Ok. Rough and Ready. All out door seating. Kids can run around. Not so great on a rainy day.

Popped to Barge Gladys on Easter Sunday late afternoon as fancied a cheeky pint; great place with good beer, a lovely beer garden and some lovely views across Dauntless Marina. If you fancy a couple of hours watching the world go by whilst have a beer this is the place to go !!

Pleasant location on a day with good weather, plenty of people.

Charming, quirky place to have a pint in the sun after a walk along the downs.

Came in here for much-needed liquid refreshment half-way round a hike from Southend to Canvey Island. The Barge sits there in the midst of Benfleet marina, which is a nice, old-fashioned marina, not one of those millionaire yacht parks. I assumed the bar would be on the upper deck, but, of course, barges are mainly below water, so it is in the hold of the barge and therefore windowless. This, curiously, gives it the feel of some underground club in London. The bar area is decorated with nautical bric-a-brac and interesting photos of old-time maritime life in the area. I was so thirsty I just drank lager, but noticed they do have a cask of real ale here too. So glad I've visited iconic Barge Gladys. It's a no brainer if you're walking that way. There's a beer garden out front, which must be a lovely place to drink in the summer.

Frequently stop by in summer as it is great sitting outside. Barstaff and locals friendly (not sure why there are a few comments on here saying not so, I think people need to be a bit more open to the idea a non chain pub & get a bit more involved). Cash only but that's ok as long as you know before visiting as cash point is a good 5ish minute walk to station. Look forward to seeing you soon on next bike ride down.

Love this place on a summer Sunday. Dog walk first & then a beer & BBQ.

Personally myself and my family love the people in the pub and the drinks so don’t see the problem ... no need for all the negative reviews as it’s a top notch pub we all especially love the landlord and the landlords daughter u guys are amazing people keep up the effort of making people smile and laugh!

This place is perfect on a warm sunny day, its so quiet and away from noise of traffic. This place is a great little find. Been here once before and enjoyed my afternoon then too.

Gave it another go after not a very pleasant time before as landlady very moody towards us but same thing yet again ......shame as a quirky little place but the customer service lets it down.

Simple, laid back, nice surroundings, good ale. What more do you want?

I had assumed this was a private memebers bar but when i took the time to visit, it is not and is worth a visit .A couple of good ales including their own specialty , gladys ale .Great in the summer with good views to the creek .

Grotty pub with cluttered & dirty interior. Unfriendly staff who won’t allow you a sample of the beer before you buy. Four of us girls passed by here on a country walk and they wouldn’t even fill up a small water bottle for us despite us buying drinks and food here. Didn’t feel welcome. League of gentlemen ‘are you local?’ vibes.

Lovely family run pub with barbecue on a Sunday and perfect rest break for cyclists. Love this place.

Good people good good and most of all good beer

Came across this by accident, stopped for a drink and ended up having a relaxing early evening there

Great place with a difference, lovely to sit outside for a drink and a bbq. Looking forward to visiting again.

What an amazing, quirky, friendly place to grab a drink.

I persuaded the wife to stop off here on the way home from a day out. This was my first visit but I’ll definitely be back. Only stopped for a quick drink with the wife, 3 Kids and dog but I loved it, my wife even said this is your type of place. Everyone was friendly and we had no complaints, didn’t stay long but will be back. It was a really nice pint as well.

Great pub on a barge .very nice after a walk along the sea shore

You wouldnt beleive how much you can fit into a barge. It has even got a pool table. Plenty of seating. Havent been yet but during the summer months they cook on the outside bbq. Great fun

Quirky little pub in a barge. Friendly staff and great views. A few mins walk from Benfleet station.

Nice place, reasonable prices and friendly staff

Great place for a drink friendly staff and lovely surroundings

A warm & friendly place alongside Benfleet Creek serving good beer, wine, spirits and light snacks at reasonable prices. Popular Bbq on Sundays. Authentic beer garden seating with seating inside the barge too.

Lovely place for a relaxing drink. Location is very nice. People friendly

Great relaxed family BBQ on Sundays, not far from the Benfleet station. Friendly staff, dog friendly.

After a hard day's work is there a more tranquil place to wind down than the Barge Gladys in Benfleet. Ham rolls are great!

Wonderful location and very friendly helpful staff. Can't believe a lord owns this place. Highly recommended.

Stopped mid-way a walk for a drink.....sell rolls etc....dogs allowed in if clean.....cash only......quirky place with lots of seating but didn't find it very friendly.

Very rare type of pub on the river. Well Worth a visit for experience.