Originally established to serve the working river, it supported barges unloading chalk for use in local agriculture. As commercial traffic along the Stour declined, around 1910 the Eley family bought the site, opening The Boatyard alongside their bakery and tearoom.
They planted the chestnut trees that still frame the riverbank today and began hiring rowing boats and canoes, inviting visitors to experience the Stour at a gentler pace. Over the decades, it became a much-loved part of village life — a place where families gathered to explore the river, drift beneath open skies and linger by its quiet waters.
/ About Us
Our History
Set on the banks of the River Stour, in the heart of Dedham Vale — a landscape celebrated in art and history — The Boatyard has been woven into village life for over a century.
/ Post WWII
Life as a Working Yard
The original Boatyard closed during the Second World War but it was later purchased by boatbuilder Frederick Smeeth, who transformed it into a thriving working yard.
In what is now the main restaurant, he built everything from yachts to pram dinghies and traditional clinker-built rowing boats. An enterprising spirit led him to diversify further, introducing an onsite refreshments and camping on the adjoining field — creating a destination where Visitors could gather, stay and enjoy life by the river.
/ Current Day
A Family Legacy, Steered Into a New Chapter.
Today we remain proudly family owned, with the current family taking the helm in 1993. Since then, visitors have been welcomed to dine beside the river as well as hiring boats to explore its gentle waters.
Today, their son continues that legacy — preserving its character and history while thoughtfully guiding it into a new chapter.
