Our favourite gig destinations
ECA is superbly located at the entrance to Langstone Harbour. We have a wealth of top quality waterside venues within easy reach. We frequently visit the places listed below in our gigs, depending of course on tides and weather. Everyone is very welcome to come along and join in!
Here are a few of our favourite pub lunch destinations
Ferry Boat Inn
Langstone Harbour
Situated a few hundred yards from ECA, the Ferry Boat Inn is easily accessible at all states of the tide and in all but the srongest westerly winds. The waterside pub has a very large beer garden right on the beach and great views across Langstone Harbour. This is also where we pick up Santa on the day of our annual ECA Children’s Christmas Party and row him across from Hayling on his trip round the world …
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Ship Inn
Langstone Harbour
Probably our most frequently visited luncheon destination in our gigs. It’s an easy row up Langstone Harbour with the flood tide behind us most of the way. Plenty of time is available around high tide, then again an easy row home on the ebb. There’s not a lot of space between the piles of the old Puffing Billy line or under Hayling Road bridge, but the gigs will fit. This was a Gales pub, now Fullers. Lovely big beer garden and good quality meals.
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The Jolly Roger
Priory Road Gosport Waterfront
The Jolly Roger is located on the waterfront overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, Gosport. A pit-stop spot for breakfast, lunch or even dinner – or simply a coffee, beer or glass of wine during our Gig Social Rows during the week or at weekends. It is also one of the pit-stop options during our annual ECA Round Portsea Row round the north of Portsea Island via Eastern Road Bridge and many Portsbridge Creek bridges on the way to a complete circumnavigation of the City of Portsmouth. There are landing steps from potential boat latching in front of the Jolly Roger or alternatively Hardway landing slipway is a two (2) minutes’ walk away, when accessible.
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Salt Cafe
Portchester Fareham
Salt Café is located at WicorMarine Yacht Haven, Portchester.A pit-stop spot for breakfast, lunch or even dinner – or simply a coffee, beer or glass of wine during our Gig Social Rows during the week or at weekends.It is also one of the pit-stop options if rowing from The Bridge Tavern or Gunwharf even as an optional extended annual Round Portsea rowing rendezvous.Salt Cafe customers arriving by sea must call Marina Office 01329 237112 to arrange temporary berth for visitors.
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Royal Oak
Langstone Harbour
This is a stunningly lovely setting, right at the end of Langstone High Street. Only accessible by gig at HW and then best on spring tides. We can tie up our gigs immediately outside the pub, no more that 8 feet from the front door. Again, good food and beers.
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The Blue Bell Inn
Emsworth Quay Chichester Harbour
A bit of a longer row for our crews, under Hayling Road Bridge and keep going to Emsworth Quay. “Nominated as one of the Top 20 pubs in the South-East by TripAdvisor in 2015, and recommended by The Times for its fish and chips.” A lovely setting and a great lunchtime pub with a good menu and good beers.
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Bridge Tavern
Camber Dock Portsmouth Harbour
This is a spectacular pub to visit. We usually (with permission from Queen’s Harbour Master) enter Portsmouth Harbour on the east side, so getting a rare close up view of the Round Tower on the way in to the harbour. Seeing the historic Camber Dock and all its commercial fishing fleet from the water is certainly a different day out and a really nice and unusual trip.
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Mary Mouse Lightship
Haslar Marina Portsmouth Harbour
Another venue offering spectacular views across the harbour and of the Spinnaker Tower. A nice bar and good food aboard the lightship. We can also row “Up the Creek” (quite literally, Haslar Creek is the location of the old RN Hospital and the origin of that popular expression). HMS Alliance, the last remaining Amphion-class RN submarine built in 1947 is also particularly impressive when viewed close up from the water.
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Bakers Bar and Kitchen
Royal Clarence Marina Portsmouth Harbour
Another historic setting. Bakers Bar and Kitchen is located in the original Royal Navy Bakery building, dating back to the 19th century and beyond. Easy access for our gigs to the marina and one of the nicest marina settings in the Solent.
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Sir Alec Rose
Port Solent
Our favourite Wetherspoons. Named after Round the World Yachtsman and ECA member Sir Alec, this is a great place to visit. We sometimes leave the gigs in the marina overnight and go back the next day to row them home. We can row round the north of Portsea Island via Portsbridge Creek on the way out – so doing a complete circumnavigation of the City of Portsmouth.
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Pilot Boat Inn
Bembridge Isle of Wight
A pub shaped like a boat. We row across the Solent to Bembridge Harbour and the Pilot Boat is one of several great venues.
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Baywatch Cafe
St Helens Duver Isle of Wight
“Located right on the water’s edge, this relaxed licensed restaurant has a great view of The Solent and the nearby St Helens Fort. The seafood selection ranges from locally caught crab to mussels. Good-quality meat and vegetarian dishes are also served, along with salads and light snacks. The perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner – or simply a coffee, beer or glass of wine.”
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The Old Fort and Seaview Hotel
Seaview Isle of Wight
The most picturesque town in the whole of the Isle of Wight. Right opposite Southsea and a lovely place to visit. We can beach our gigs or use a visitor mooring and a water taxi to Sea View Yacht Club – who also have a quite superb clubhouse and bar. Spoilt for choice!