
Quick info
About The White Horse
The White Horse is a canal-side pub on White Horse Lane in Leicester, with a large beer garden overlooking Watermead. The garden has tables and a small play area for children. Two events run at the pub each year: a Duck Race in May and the Great Birstall bake off in September. The gastro pub menu puts sandwiches on at lunch, alongside a platter and burgers that include a vegan chicken burger. A roast carvery serves lamb and beef with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and veg. Dogs are welcome inside the pub.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, vegan chicken burger, beer garden play area and dog-friendly seating.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, vegan chicken burger, beer garden play area and dog-friendly seating.
Customer Review Summary
Families most often single out the canal side beer garden and its small play area, with outdoor tables for eating. Food draws praise too: a vegan chicken burger called one of the tastiest meat-free burgers, skin-on fries, lunchtime sandwiches, and a platter that suited a pair of hikers, one of whom plans to return for the steak. Reviewers also describe a cozy, warm atmosphere and welcoming staff, and one couple praised the food and service at their small wedding here. The Sunday roast is the recurring weak spot. Two reviewers report overcooked beef and lamb, fatty and chewy meat, burnt or deep-fried roast potatoes, hard and tasteless veg, watery gravy, and an extra charge for roast parsnips. One group of six called the carvery overpriced. On another busy Sunday, a visitor was told the kitchen was overwhelmed and settled for a bottle of Coke instead.
Customer Review Summary
Families most often single out the canal side beer garden and its small play area, with outdoor tables for eating. Food draws praise too: a vegan chicken burger called one of the tastiest meat-free burgers, skin-on fries, lunchtime sandwiches, and a platter that suited a pair of hikers, one of whom plans to return for the steak. Reviewers also describe a cozy, warm atmosphere and welcoming staff, and one couple praised the food and service at their small wedding here. The Sunday roast is the recurring weak spot. Two reviewers report overcooked beef and lamb, fatty and chewy meat, burnt or deep-fried roast potatoes, hard and tasteless veg, watery gravy, and an extra charge for roast parsnips. One group of six called the carvery overpriced. On another busy Sunday, a visitor was told the kitchen was overwhelmed and settled for a bottle of Coke instead.
Featured reviews
- Shirley Sewell
“Been here before for Sat lunch with friends and it was very good but booked again with same friends for the Sunday carvery and all 6 of us were disappointed. The Beef said it was pink in the middle on the menu but it was overcooked, same with the lamb. The roast potatoes were not roasted but deep fried (simply no excuse for that) and not enough veg for 6 people. Charging extra for Roast parsnips that should be part of the Sunday roast is outrageous. For the quality and quantity of the food, it was way over priced at £21. We didn't want to then pay another £8/9 for a dessert. It's a shame as it's a great pub and good location for all 6 of us to meet but won't be going back.”
- Chloe Chapman
“Unexpectedly stopped by for a meal before we drove home after a day at The National Space Centre and this is a beautiful pub with stunning food and helpful service. We don't live hugely far away but sadly too far for us to return on a regular basis but we will definitely make a return trip here in the near future!”
- Source Code
“We had the roast lamb Sunday dinner, it's was very poor. The veg was rock hard and tasteless, the roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings were burnt, and most of the lamb was fatty and chewy. The gravy was like water. I was expecting much better, won't be going there again.”
- Darren Poulton
“We held our wedding venue here, although we were a small party myself and my wife were treated like royalty. Our family and friends were treated to food that was above and beyond our expectations. The service was second to none. The food was second to none. The experience was second to none. All our guests left with full bellies and not one had a bad word to say. I personally thank all the staff. From front end to kitchen staff for making our special day very special.”
- Michael Mowbray
“As a first time customer i was very disappointed. Food tasted great, But both service and house keeping is questionable as we was made to clean a high chair before use as it was dirty, unfortunately I wont be returning to this establishment as we as a family didnt feel welcomed.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“A hidden gem, in old Birstall with views over Watermead from the large impressive beer garden. The pub offers a wide selection of drinks & food to suit all palettes and occasions. Look out for events such as the Duck Race in May and the Great Birstall bake off in September.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Table service
- Dining options· 2
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Sports
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 4
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The White Horse
- The Harrow Inn4.39470.7 mi£10–50ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
boneless sizzler, curries, free on-site parking
- Hope & Anchor4.01,6441.7 mi
dog friendly pub, homemade food, canal mooring
- 1.9 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
carvery, indoor and outdoor play areas, desserts
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The White HorseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.51,556 | — | £20–30 | sunday roast, vegan chicken burger, beer garden play area |
| The Harrow InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.3947 | 0.7 mi | £10–50 | boneless sizzler, curries, free on-site parking |
| Hope & Anchor | 4.01,644 | 1.7 mi | — | dog friendly pub, homemade food, canal mooring |
| Hobby Horse Farm - Dining & CarveryReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.14,023 | 1.9 mi | £10–20 | carvery, indoor and outdoor play areas, desserts |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in Leicester

28 places
Bars in Leicester
Photo: The Forge Inn · 4.6 · 1,795 Google reviews
See all 28 bars in Leicester
4.5 · The Cradock ArmsPubs
24 places
4.5 · Miller & Carter EnderbyRestaurants
116 places
4.7 · ChocoberryCafes
25 places
4.6 · Kaymen's Beauty & Nail SalonBeauty
12 places







