Monday 24 May 2010

Dogs no longer welcome at The Ferry Cookham



The Ferry pub and restautant at Cookham, Berkshire used to be a great place to go and have lunch at outside on the terrace overlooking the River Thames. We would park the car near the Spade Oak pub near Bourne End and walk across the single track railway line, past Bourne End Marina and over the bridge through the riverside fields to The Ferry.


It was great and even in winter so we could sit outside (as naturally dogs are not allowed inside) and staff even put on the electric heaters. Last Saturday we did the same walk on a very hot May day. We had not been there for several months and walked onto the terrace with our dog. We were politely told that we could not being the dog onto the terrace. Apparently the management at The Ferry had banned dogs about a month ago as a result of complaints from customers. We were told we could sit at a table near the front door, however there was no sun umbrella there and it was hot.


In the end we were able to tie her up to railing at one side that dogs can still stand (or sit in) and they do still however provide bowls of water for your dog as well. Whilst there another couple cam along with their dog and opted for the hot seats and table near the front door in the car park.


It does seem a shame that the people running this delightful place should take this attitude to dogs. I recollect that there were always other dogs when we used to go there and obviously they are doing what we did, attaching their dogs to the railings. The food and drink is still naturally good, but is does seem a shame that some of the former guests are now being banned. Hopefully this was not because of rowdy behaviour or being drunk.


This was probably never happen in France where it is perfectly normal to bring small to medium size dogs into restaurants and actually indoors.
Maybe the Ferry at Cookham management don't like dogs. Hopefully sometime they will have a change of thought.

See also: http://cookham.com/reviews/index.php?cmd=showreviews&businessId=11 as there are others who are not happy with the situation, Hope you listen to your customers views, Ferry at Cookham

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