A new floating café called The Bath Butty opened on Good Friday on the river moorings below Pulteney Weir in Bath.
Based in a specially converted canal narrow boat which is 70 feet long yet only 7 feet wide it still manages to provide seating for up to 22 people.
The owner Matt Windsor said: “We’re brought a smart new attraction to the riverside walk between Pulteney Bridge and North Parade Bridge which we hope will enhance the amenity value of the area. Our mooring has a fabulous view of Pulteney Bridge and the weir; we think it’s the best view in Bath. We had a very busy opening weekend and customers seem to like what’s on offer as we’ve had nothing but favourable comments”.
The café’s name is a clever play on words as ‘Butty’ is the traditional name for a canal narrow boat and a sandwich is also called a “butty”. Their signature dish though is freshly made hot savoury pancakes with a choice of topping but the menu also includes Bath’s incredible Lovett’s pies served in a sea of mushy peas.
“Our focus is on freshly made, healthy food. We don’t do chips, we don’t do fry ups. We also sell a selection of genuinely homemade cakes, freshly made, just for us, you cannot buy our tasty cakes anywhere else. We’ve even got novel lollipop cakes for children” Naturally everything is locally sourced including Carwardine’s coffee and tea.
The boat is permanently moored so they’re not a trip boat but they are open seven days a week from 9 till 5 – later once the summer actually arrives.
Given its fantastic position with lots of passing walkers, cyclists and boaters The Bath Butty offers take-aways and even complete picnics. The boat can also be hired for children’s or private parties, for office meals with a difference, or as a unique venue for small business meetings.
The Bath Butty is part of the Canal Carrying Company Ltd based in Bradford on Avon who already operate the very popular “CoalBoat” that delivers solid fuel, gas, diesel and wood to boats on the K&A Canal between Bath and Devizes.
