Boathouse, Swanwick reopens at marina after refurbishment

The Boathouse, Swanwick returned with a bang on Friday, August 16 as scores of customers headed to the marina.

The all-day diner that can now cater for around 250 to 300 people was packed out last week after months of closure that saw the original building completely rebuilt.

Raised two metres higher, the eatery, part of the Ideal Collection restaurant chain, now gives some one of the best views of the River Hamble according to managing director, Oliver Weeks.

The Boathouse closed in October last year but opened again last week for a soft opening ahead of the full launch.

Oliver Weeks, managing director of Ideal Collection with founder, Matthew Boyle at The Boathouse, Swanwick (Image: NQ)

The managing director told the Echo: “It was an old shack; the building was almost falling down around us so the patience we have had has paid off now..

“We have been working with the marina who have built and invested heavily in the building and then we’ve come in and done our design and fixtures and fittings and created the environment that you see now.

“The building has been lifted two metres above the ground now due to flooding and the river water levels so we have a much greater view of the River Hamble. It’s stunning.

“The menu is all day dining. We’re not trying to be a special occasion venue but it is heavily influences by fish because of where we are located.

“The we’ve got all of those crowd pleasers from a great burger to some more snacks sort of tapas type starters. We’re also open for breakfast.”

The lunch and dinner menu offers a number of seafood options including scallops, calamari, trout, prawns and traditional fish and chips.

It also boasts a “cooked over coal” section with steaks and burgers as well as a range of salads and sourdough pizza and pasta.

The Boathouse, Swanwick (Image: NQ)

A range of wines are also available with an afternoon tea offering that is said to be one of the best in the area.

Mr Weeks added: “As a business we have been corporate partners of Hampshire Fare for 18 years.

“We really believe in local produce. We really believe in cooking food that we’re proud of.

“Overall, I am very proud and very delighted. I’ve pulled in a lot of employees across the group to support each other across the opening and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Ideal Collection owns Kimgbridge Barn in Romsey, The Bugle in Hamble-le-Rice and The White House in Otterbourne.

The company began renting the Swanwick venue in 2012 with redevelopment work taking place across the marina.

Boathouse has served up 2,853 dishes, poured 2,400 glasses of wine and welcomed 2,101 guests since reopening. 

Venue Operations Manager Peter Hider said: “The venue has had an incredible opening week and it’s been so warmly welcomed.

"I knew how much people had been looking forward to Boathouse’s grand reopening, so we had to hit the ground running and make a great impression from the get-go.

“It’s been a hugely successful first week in business and I’m so proud of my team for how quickly they’ve impressed our guests and supported such fantastic trade.”