Champion Of The Thames

Featured reviews

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  Richard Whitehouse

  ·1 year ago

  “Proper pub in a tourist town. Not many of these left. Pub of the year 2024. If you want a great pint then this is the place. Very central but hidden. Don't know if they do food but that is not what you come here for.”

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  Nick Wells

  ·1 year ago

  “A great little pub. A good selection of guest ales, well kept. It's a pleasant change from the other pubs I've been to in Cambridge which are all quite touristy.”

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  Neil King

  ·1 year ago

  “Took some time out from exploring Cambridge for the first time in a longtime and this looked like Champion Of The Thames was just the place to do it and that was a spot on hunch. The pub was busy, but fluked a table straight away. It's a Greene King pub, but also guest ales. Norfolk based Wolf Brewery is new to me, but if the beers are of the quality of their Black Wolf dark brown ale, can see myself taking a look at some of their other beers. Great atmosphere, it felt that beer and good company were the priority, can see myself going back when next in town and hopefully with a bit more time”

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• I

  Indy Ro

  ·1 year ago

  “We had a lovely pint in this pub, I think it was of their expensive end of pints imported from Germany, lovely drink was worth trying. £7.60 for the pint, but I think rest of the drinks are in standard prices. Bar staff was friendly and very nice atmosphere.”

• R

  Raymond Valiant

  ·2 years ago

  “The Norfolk Pub & Club Awards of 2024 has credited Champion of the Thames as the best county pub for Cambridge. The award was based on scores from volunteers around Norfolk. I visited this pub on a warm summer day and took a local ale to my delight as it is refreshing and colourful. The pub itself has much been praised by its classic simplicity, British style of a drinking establishment. The bartender was helpful and his service is nice. It was really worth to sip a pint or more here. Old time patrons are a common view here. Greetings from Indonesia.”

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• D

  Darren Benson

  ·2 years ago

  “OK, I spotted the fireplace roaring and I was sold. We were warmly greeted by two members of staff and shown to a table. My abbot ale was in fine form and my partner enjoyed a perfectly prepared Gordon's and tonic. Both delivered in record time to our table. The atmopshere was as close to that of a cracking pub experience as we could have hoped. The cleanliness of the pub was fantastic. And both members of staff were completely 'on point' with policing the venue. We were looked after and felt safe at all times with both professionalism and humour. We will return very very soon. 10 out of 10.winner of the Camra 2024 best pub in Cambridge”

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• J

  Jonathan Rondeau-Leclaire

  ·2 years ago

  “One of the very few authentic pubs, in the sense of a very tiny public house made in what used to be someone's house. Lawrence and Pete really take exceptional care of their casks; it is the only pub I would recommend anyone to have an Abbot. It's a very cozy place without music, a low key atmosphere where conversations can be held at normal volume even with a lot of people in. A must for anyone visiting cambridge!”

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• C

  Cyrus V-N

  ·4 years ago

  “All round great pub! Having been to many a pub (as a student in Cambridge and then as a necessary after work break!), I've found that the best pubs have fantastic staff, (Filipe) and comfortable surroundings to drink and unwind in. The Champ definitely comes up tops for all these things! I've never been in here without the staff taking care to make sure I feel welcomed as well as making sure they get my order spot on. If you're ever looking for a place in Cambridge to welcome you and that can come to feel like home, this is it.”

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• J

  Jiaqi Guo

  ·4 years ago

  “Cambridge Pub Tour – No. 7: Champion of the Thames is now my favourite pub in Cambridge. It is located on King Street behind Jesus College, and although it is only four or five minutes away from King's College, tourists rarely find it. As a result, most of the patrons are residents and regulars who live nearby. The pub is named after a rower who lived there more than 200 years ago. It’s quite small, but it retains the character of a traditional English pub. Upon entering, the barman, Adrian, greeted us like old friends. He makes drinks for the regulars without them telling him what they want. Such a small space provides everyone the opportunity to have a drink whilst having a chat with the bartender or with the guests next to them. In the era of social distancing, this natural and communal social atmosphere is really rare. The pub is too small to serve hot food, but Adrian told me that they have a range of bar snacks sourced from a farm three miles away in Cambridge. So, I ordered a quiche and it really tasted good. Adrian also asked me to try their 3-year-old pickled onions to go with the quiche! Later, when we were unsure about what to drink next, Adrian gave us a free blind beer taste. I was already half drunk after the first round. If you want to experience the atmosphere of a traditional English pub and meet locals and residents, this bar is definitely the place to go.”

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• M

  MADDOGLEP

  ·4 years ago

  “Delightful pub with lots of charm and wood. A proper pub (cannot remember how to spell quint.....!) Greene King pub but I went with Wolf Brewery Sirius Dog Star. A SIBA Gold star winner. Smallest beer garden ever .2 seats! Well worth a visit..”