The Three Horseshoes

We often end up here in the summer when going for a walk/​ride along the canal. There is a really nice atmosphere which is enhanced by being next to the canal. Would strongly recommend and will certainly be visiting this summer.

Enjoyed a very nice evening meal here and some very good beer. It is beside the Grand Union Canal and there are canalside tables in a lovely location.

Went there Saturday for birthday meal with daughters. Waitress showed us to table quite quickly but everything I asked she had to go back and check with someone (wanted to check the chicken pie didn’t come in earthenware dish). When the chicken pie arrived it was huge compared to the tiny amount of beans and carrots on the side, also a few chips, which were really nice. Unfortunately, when I cut into the pie, the sauce which should have been creamy in my view was very runny and flowed out all over the plate, so made the chips soggy. Also the pie didn’t taste very nice for some reason. I also didn’t like the fact that the waitress had to take my daughters credit card for some reason, have been in lots of other places and you just pay at the end. Maybe they thought we were going to abscond without paying! I didn’t express my disappointment at the pie as daughter treating me for my birthday, but heard her say to her partner that she wouldn’t be going there again!

I was very disappointed with this place. The setting is OK, but not as picturesque as some would have you believe. Yes, it’s next to the canal, but at the front it is just lots of concrete next to a tiny road. The benches next to the canal are tired and the chain fence alongside does little to set the tone or offer confidence that your kids won’t go for a burton. It was winter when I went so it may be better in the summer but it wasn’t a great start. The approach to the pub is tricky too. It is tucked away down a single track road, and there are frequent episodes of reversing of traffic that has to give way to a vehicle coming from the other direction.
Lots of people recommended the food. I had the lasagne, and it was filling and tasty, but took an absolute age to be brought to the table. The wholemeal garlic bread that came with it was small, dry and tastless too. We went on a Saturday and there was no kids menu, just smaller portions of a selection of the food, so not great for families.
As I said, we went in the winter admittedly, but I’m afraid the authentic character stretches to the heating as well, it was freezing in there. They do have a log fire but it was unattended and even when someone did look after it they would put on a couple of very small half logs and leave it to fend for itself for another long period.
This isn’t somewhere I’ll be going back to in a hurry.

The Three Horseshoes in Winkwell is a fantastic pub. It is in the most picturesque setting of any pub I know. Its right on the canalside, with lots of tables outside for when the weather is warmer.
Inside the pub has a really authentic character, and a great feel to it. The menu is great, and it has a ton of drinks on offer.
Last time I went, the prices were fantastic, mainly due to a lunch deal of any 2 courses for £7. This may have changed since then, but you can always phone to check.
There was parking, however in summer I believe it can get really busy.