The Boathouse in Wellingborough

Meeting up with friends here was a good choice, we all agreed. The staff are friendly and gave advice as to choices on the menu, and specials board. It was busy and we were able to occupy one of the last tables and if things continue to grow they may become a victim of their own success and may need to extend the premises. Good food, coffee and service.

We have been to the Boathouse on quite a few occasions and are usually really pleased. However, we went for brunch today and were very disappointed. The Barge breakfast was cold, the mushrooms and sausage had dried out and the fried egg was hard and barely warm. The toast was also cold. The bacon on my roll was cold and the fat had solidified. It’s such a shame because the food here is usually brilliant.

But there was pancakes and bacon still being served till 3pm! Grown and expanded a fair bit since first opened but in a classy way and not spoilt its original ethos, like similar places have done. Great food, quality and atmosphere.

We have been here many times and had a good experience until today. We arrived around 2pm and took an inside table. There were around 6 unoccupied tables but they were all dirty and piled with cups, plates, etc. We ordered drinks and cakes, and when the girl brought the drinks she totally ignored the fact that there were dirty plates and cups on the table. When my wife asked to her to clear the used items she took half of them. We had to call her back to take the rest, but she never cleaned the food debris off the table. She said that they were understaffed - yet there were 5 staff that we could see. She also said they were very busy, but only half the tables were occupied with clients, the other half were full of dirty crockery. We noticed that the manager wasn’t working today so that is probably why the standard had slipped, but it still isn’t good enough.

I had passed the sign for this cafe many times over the past few years and finally got around to trying it. Now, I wish I had tried it sooner. This is a superb cafe in every way. It is clean, bright and airy with an interesting outlook over the canal marina and a large, decking area for sunny days. The staff are very friendly and efficient. The prices are very reasonable. But of course, it is primarily the food that we're here for and, based on the brunch I ate and the items I took home for tea time, I would say this place is hard to beat for cafe type fayre. I had a full breakfast (a Barge Breakfast, if I remember correctly) with additional black pudding and hash browns. Every item on that substantial breakfast plate was top quality and beautifully cooked. Special mention to the sausage, bacon, mushrooms and black pud. Certainly the best fried breakfast I've had within range of my home (by a considerable margin) and up there amongst the best I've had in Britain! Because the spotless and well-organised kitchen is completely open, the customer can view everything that is going on and, when two new, golden, aromatic quiches emerged from the oven, I couldn't resist ordering some for my tea. I also ordered a Skinners' sausage roll and chose a slab of bread pudding from the wide and tempting range of cakes and pastries. All, I can report, were top notch. Also available are freshly made toasties and various other lunch items. A large range of drinks also appear on the menu, including teas, coffees, chai, milkshakes and fizzy drinks. As you'll have gathered, I cannot recommend The Boathouse highly enough.

Meet up with friends for a coffee and cake. Drinks to my liking, hot and toasted Fruit Loaf. Ideal for a meet up out of town.

Go here very week, have All day breakfast or lunch the cakes and pudding are all made on site, food is always presented lovely

Haven't been for a while and today didn't diaappoint. Beautifully decorated cafe, welcoming staff, spotlessly clean, brilliant choice of food options. In fact I struggled to choose as it was so good 👍 Well done Whitemills, you've gone from strength to strength 💪 Really nice ambience and outlook, Well worth a visit !

Always a favourite spot even on a wet day when I can’t sit outside. Had the smashed avocados on sourdough and a dirty chai, both delicious. Staff lovely, quick service and a nice chilled atmosphere at lunch. Will visit again soon. Highly recommended.

Third time we've visited for breakfast. All three times had their version of a Full English (Barge Breakfast). All three times hugely satisifed. Lovely food, good service, reasonable prices. Will definitely be returning.

Average service Good food Incredibly slow (with no apology), took 45 mins for breakfast… not told of a wait, not busy, no apology!

Lovely little cafe with outside seating, beautiful location. No complaints with the food, good local produce only downside the food is expensive.

A rare morning off work with hubby we ventured to the boadhouse for brunch. We never get time off work for a midweek breakfast, so this was a treat! The food was ok, an average breakfast x2, sadly the service was terrible. The staff looked miserable, and when we sat at a table with used cups and mess, a lady (who was on a laptop when we first went in) came over took them, wiped the table and then plaed napkins in the holder- without a single word being said. The place was full. The presentation of food in the cabinets looked great. Our 2 breaksfasts and 2 coffees were nice, nothing amazing, just nice- £30 felt steep compared to other places we have ate. Clearly hospitality isnt a thing here anymore. Busy enough, so maybe a smile or basic chit chat isnt warrented anymore...

Have been before, but this time left disappointed. Ordered a cheese & onion toastie which took a while to arrive, my partner had already eaten his scone (which was lovely), by the time the toastie arrived. Well, it lacked in presentation...wasnt even cut in half, it came with a handful of crisps... expected a little salad to make the toastie more edible and moist and presentable. Instead, the bread was dry (i know it was sourdough). It lacked gilling... The cheese was nowhere to be seen with a couple of slivers of onion. What a shame!

All well, until our miniature Dachshund was spotted minding her own business under the table. We were unable to sit outside, all seats being occupied, which we pointed out when told dogs were not permitted inside. To be fair, there was a notice allowing only guide dogs. When we questioned why dogs weren’t allowed, we were told because it was an ‘open’ kitchen And dogs’ hair might find its way onto food. One presumes guide dogs’ hairs remain firmly in place! It spoilt our time there, which otherwise was fine.

A wonderful brunch. Food was first class, venue amazing, and even though incredibly busy, staff were warm attentive and professional.

Half an hour for two sandwiches,, when I complained I was called to as "Darling" in the most condescending way. When the food arrived it was served with sarcastic comments.

Second time we've visited for breakfast. Both times had their version of a Full English (Barge Breakfast). Both times hugely satisifed. Lovely food, good service, reasonable prices. Will definitely be returning.

Painfully slow. Coffee; tea, quiche and a sausage roll. Not drinks took 15 mins and after 30 mins waiting pop in to ask where food is… they have no ticket for it and weren’t doing it! 15 mins later food arrives 45 mins after ordering! They said it’s been “manic” but it was over half empty. Id hate to try in peak season!

The most wonderful little gem which I would wholly recommend. The staff are always very welcoming. You do have to get there early to be guaranteed a spot inside. However if the weather is good you have the most wonderful view sitting outside overlooking the marina. Price of food is very reasonable and always a good selection. We normally go for breakfast and you are always guaranteed to get a good meal. Good coffee as well if you just want to visit for a drink. Overall 10/10 Well done to Mel and team

We came here for some lunch for the first time and were very impressed. Food was top quality and delicious, service was wonderful. Staff were all very friendly and attentive. We loved it so much we made a second visit in the same week. Absolutely

Heerlijke plek . Ligt leuk aan het water. Leuk interieur, heerlijke vers gemaakte soep. Voldoende parkeerplaatsen. Een stop waard.

Very busy place but got served very quickly. Very clean with friendly staff. My Cappuccino was excellent, very hot and the food menu was extensive. Would definitely go back again.

Beautiful food, hot coffee, fresh locally sourced ingredients, imaginative dishes, lovely sunny day, which of course helps but irrespective of the weather, the food is always good, tasty, fresh and well presented. Lovely if you want to sit in the garden or on the terrace...

We had a lovely breakfast poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the granola , yogurt and fruit compote was really nice and so much of it ! Staff were very friendly and it’s such a lovely spot to relax in . Lots of fresh water...

This cafe is situated in beautiful surroundings. The cafe and facilities are always clean and pleasant with lovely views across the water and countryside. The staff are amazing! They are friendly and helpful even when they are very busy. The food is lovely and I...

Pleasant albeit a lot more noisy than it used to be and always rather cold, coats needed in the winter. The meal was good but tinned mushrooms rather tasteless. Always very clean premises and lovely staff. Good coffee, water available.

We have visited before and have enjoyed it but service has slipped. I do not expect to sit down and wait for table service only to be ignored and to cap it all people coming in after us getting served before us. When we mentioned...

Met our friends for coffee, her and my husband decided to have poached eggs on toast . Hers looked ok but my husbands was very undercooked . I would have sent it back but he did eat it . Hope it was just a one...

Light and airy ,outside seating,good coffee and shortbread but access difficult for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.

Great coffee by local producers Yellow Bourbon. Dogs are only welcome in the outside decking area - but are very well catered for outside included a puppachino on the menu! Toasties and baps are lovely and the cakes amazing.

Popped in this morning to see what all the fuss was about and to be honest all three of us were disappointed. The food & drink ordering system in place means that hot tea/coffees are made in advance of food and left on the side...

Very good for a quick bite or coffee and cake etc. Better venue in the summer to enjoy the marina outlook, and as a refreshment read after a walk. All COVID restrictions are in place and felt quite safe.

A great pitstop, whether you are travelling the A45 on business needing a coffee stop as I did , or out on a bike looking for a nice piece of cake 😀, or most likely travelling the Nene on a narrowboat. This is a gem...

The latte was lovely and the Boathouse Breakfast was tasty except for one thing. The sausage looked almost raw and totally unappetising. They used to pride themselves on homemade bread but the bread is now a cheap thinly sliced white.

First visit. Went with a friend on a Saturday morning. Had coffee and fluffy crumpets. Slight delay with food but it was nice when it arrived. Maybe one comment would be that they need fewer large tables and a few more that seat two or...

Nice cafe with friendly service, tasty food and plenty of cake to choose from. It’s fun to sit and eat here while the wind and rain lash across the marina. Or if the weather is good walk along the Nene and grab some food after.

However have we never found this place ? Great food, lovely atmosphere very friendly staff. We will definitely be coming back. Not the greatest weather today, but has a nice outside seating area overlooking the marina and its moored narrowboats. I can see why the...

This is the most wonderful place to visit, it is set in such a pretty setting overlooking the river on the new marina just south of Earls Barton village. The food is to die for, including a wide menu and gin and tonic cake !...

Lovely light lunch, nice atmosphere and very welcoming. Cakes also delicious with a good selection of coffee and other beverages.

Met here with a couple of friends for lunch. We sat outside overlooking the marina. The menu wasn't extensive but all of it was freshly prepared and excellent value for money. The staff were friendly and very efficient too. I'm already planning to go back...

We walked the dogs from Earls Barton, to the marina. The boathouse was a welcome stop for warm refreshments.

We stayed on the Campsite for a long weekend. The owners and staff were all friendly and helpful and the site was quiet with only 5 caravans allowed. My daughter and family had breakfast in the cafe`and enjoyed it, also family run. We walked along...

My brother recommended this place for a coffee and we were not disappointed. Lovely traditional wooden boathouse overlooking the marina in the sunshine. The menu was of a good choice and all freshly prepared. The cakes were fabulous and we had a good selection. My...

Didn't have time to explore the surroundings sadly, but, had coffee and cake which was very nice and reasonable price, served by happy smilely staff. Will return.

Found this place purely by accident coming out of Grendon village. Lovely setting in a marina, had a latte and cake. Coffee was perfect - outside decking area with seating if you have a dog and the lady offered blankets in case I was cold....

Lovely pleasant staff, a good bacon roll & a nice coffee at very reasonable prices, would definitely recommend & I will be revisiting.

Fabulous spot overlooking the marina. Great at the moment in the sunshine. Plenty of parking, lovely for lunches, coffee etc. Nice inside as well and think would be cosy in winter.

What a joy to have somewhere for a cold drink and ice cream on a very hot walk along the Nene Way. The Rose lemonade is a lovely refreshing drink and at 75p the choc ice was amazing! Cakes and other tempting eats were on...

Super spot to stop for refreshments when out walking in the area. Locally owned and run, welcoming to folks who are not familiar with narrow boat life.

The food is delicious and beautiful presented. The cakes and scones are homemade and fresh .I tried the homemade mackerel pate which tasted very good with fine quality salad and toast.There is an impressive selection of hot and cold drinks I particularly enjoy the coffee.We’ve...