The Ferry in Cookham to get ‘old school style’ pub makeover and garden upgrade

The Ferry in Cookham is looking at some significant renovations to be unveiled this autumn – including a new ‘old school style community pub’ and a cosiness upgrade in the garden.

This large riverside pub and restaurant is located on the banks of the Thames.

The company that owns the pub, Mitchells & Butlers, has a remodel plan where it goes through and make changes every few years to freshen The Ferry up. This time, the changes are looking to be quite significant.

The Ferry is Grade II-listed, and within that setting has a cosy space with old wooden beams and a fireplace known as ‘the snug’.

Currently that operates as a private function room with a capacity for about 25 people seated and 70 standing.

But plans are afoot to change this. The Ferry is looking to gift it a ‘facelift’ and turn it from ‘dead space’ used once a week into a ‘prime spot’ used seven days a week.

At the moment there is a private bar in the snug and it’s going to get a remodel, alongside a new carpet and furniture, as well as plans for a darts board and a TV for sports.

The Ferry isn’t intending to introduce Sky Sports coverage or any subscription – just some of the national tennis or rugby broadcasts on free TV.

General manager Jason Kenny said: “We’re trying to bring it back to a proper pub, like that sort of old school community pub we all grew up with.

“It’s going to give the guests more options, more reasons to visit.”

Nothing is set in stone, but the vibe The Ferry is going for is something Jason is clear on.

“The Ferry is lovely, it’s very upmarket and looks nice – [it’s great] if you want to wine and dine. But [this is for] when you want to come in for just a casual pint in the evening.

The snug has been ‘screaming out for a little bit of love’ for a while Jason feels, and the changes will bring the whole of The Ferry up to the same standard, he said.

But the main focus will be the garden at the back.

“It’s a lovely area on the river, but it’s just that furniture and all surroundings are a little bit dated now,” said Jason.

Currently there are two umbrellas and chairs seating about 20 people. The plan is to increase by 20, which is the equivalent of four or five extra tables.

The plan is to take out the umbrellas, put in a large awning over the majority of the garden and add some bench seating, making it a better year-round spot.

There will also be softer furnishings such comfy sofas to make it a more ‘cosy’ area than it is now – ‘the sort of thing The Ferry deserves’.

The Ferry is looking to close on the Monday bank holiday towards the end of the month, August 25, and reopen on September 26 with a Friday night opening party.

As this is still the summer, Jason said he had his reservations about closing then at first, but realistically there is ‘never a good time to close’ – and there are upsides to doing things this way.

“I think it’ll help the next stage, when it goes a little bit quiet in the October and November,” he said.

“We’ll have a bit of a buzz because [there are new things] and people will want to try them out.”

“What we might sacrifice in the summer will have a good knock-on the effect in the October and November, which will hopefully drive our Christmas as well.

Jason added: “I feel like The Ferry is very much seen as a summer pub.

“When the sun is shining, The Ferry is where you come because it’s right on the river and it’s beautiful.

“But all these extra bits are going to help show that it’s an all-year-round pub.”