The Ship Tavern, WC2

Down a narrow alleyway behind Holborn Tube Station is The Ship Tavern, a pub that claims to date back to 1549, although we learn that it was rebuilt in 1923. The usual plaque outside tells us that, during the reign of King Henry VIII, Catholics would secretly come here to attend mass with lookouts posted outside to warn worshippers of the approach of the King’s henchmen. It’s a wedge shaped pub with much woodwork and nautical memorabilia. Wooden screens create several drinking booths by the windows whilst, at the far end, is a more comfortable area with banquette seating and bookshelves. It’s a former William Youngers pub and the familiar branded leaded coloured windows together with subdued lighting help create an inviting and warm atmosphere. In the summer months, drinkers often retreat outside to the alleyway where there is limited space, but a ledge for drinkers glasses is thoughtfully provided. Upstairs is a separate restaurant – The Oak Room – pie nights and other themed food evenings are held through the week. 6 pumps were, on my recent visit, serving Deuchars IPA, Bombardier, Tribute, Theakston Bitter, Thwaites Wainwright and 1549 Ale, the origin of which is not stated. I don’t think this range changes much. The pub is in the 2012 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Staff here are friendly and enthusiastic and there’s evidently a good core of regular, loyal, patrons, which is not often the case in a Central London pub. In contrast to some other pubs in the vicinity, it’s open weekends. I’m surprised this pub isn’t better known – it’s an attractive, traditional pub worth looking out

Hidden down a small alleyway behind Holborn tube station, the Ship Tavern is a fine, two-storey traditional pub. The ground floor houses the main bar in a wooden floored wedge shaped room with extensive wood panelling and some attractive etched windows, some of which have colour insets at the top, whilst others give clues to the pub's past as a William Younger house. There are some booths under the windows with space between them and the bar for vertical drinking, which was very much required during my busy early evening visit. To the right of the bar there is additional banquette seating with a few tables and this area displays a large collection of nautical memorabilia. Upstairs is the Oak Room, which was set up formally for diners, despite signage that suggested it offered additional seating. There is a sign outside the pub which states that the building was first established as a tavern back in 1549. This may well be a case for the dubious claims committee, but it does at least explain why the house beer is called 1549 Ale. I'm not sure who produces this brew, but I decided to give it a try and thought it was a fairly average pint. The other options on the bar were Theakston Infallible, Thwaites Wainwright, Deuchars IPA, St Austell Tribute and Wells Bombardier. The staff were coping well with the large crowds and seemed friendly enough. Despite it being packed to the rafters, I enjoyed my time in here and wouldn't mind seeing it again when there's a bit more room to explore properly. A slightly more adventurous beer selection would make this a must visit.

A really good, nautically themed traditional pub. The main bar is as other reviewers have described, feeling very comfortable and well populated by drinkers when I’ve been there at lunchtimes. Six hand pumps have been serving Tribute, Bombardier, Thwaites Wainwright, and three offerings from Caledonian brewery, which have recently included Deuchars, Flying Scotsman, Autumn Red, and Idleweiss: I’ve had excellent pints of several of them at £3.60. The upstairs restaurant area is known as the Oak Room. The menu looks interesting but expensive, from the cheapest veggie main course at £8.55 up to the kilo of prime rib for two to share at £60. There is a different themed offer each evening, however, being wine night on Mondays, through pie night, moules night and steak night to rib night on Fridays, whereby for example you get a pie and a pint for £10 on pie night. I very much liked this pub and must find an excuse to come back here in the evening.

Wedge shaped small pub close to Holborn tube but tucked away down the back streets. Traditional old but smart London boozer, wood floors and some limited seating, but still comfortable. Ship pictures cover the one wall. 5 real ales but the choice is uninspiring.

I tend to favour The Ship Tavern for a quick one when travelling in and out of Holborn. Hidden away down the back alleys behind the tube station , it is usually frequented by those city locals who know it’s there and it tends to provide a better traditional pub experience than the ‘Spoons barn that is The Shakespeare’s Head on Kingsway. As mentioned by the reviewers below the ground floor bar area is a traditional, if a bit odd shaped, pub layout and decor with lots of dark wood and individual booths , and then plenty of nautical memorabilia adding character as Rex describes well below. There is an equally wood decor’ restaurant on the upper floor which is popular with the local office workers, but I’ve never eaten so cannot comment on the standard of the food. I visit for the beer and on my last visit just before Christmas the usual house ales of Bombadier, Deuchars IPA and OSH were complemented by 3 festive seasonals in the form of Sheperd Neame’s Christmas Ale, Hydes Rockin Robin and Red nose Reinbeer from the Cotleigh brewery, and the couple I tried were well kept. It’s not the biggest pub and can get very busy during the after work hours. So either better to try during quieter periods or in summer when most people utilise the pavements outside.

Randomness Guide to London - Ship Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Ship Tavern entry

This pub is tucked away down an alleyway behind Holborn tube station, and can easily be missed if you don’t spot the pub sign on the wall. It’s a small wedge shaped affair, bounded by tall buildings that ensure that it remains gloomy inside. There were six ales on during my visit – I didn’t note them all, but I had the Theakston’s Bitter at £3.70 a pint (gulp!!). The attractive and distinctive window glass remains from its days as a William Younger pub, and there’s dark wood everywhere which although giving it an ancient and traditional feel does nothing to alleviate the gloominess. The wall decorations, of which there are masses, are all unsurprisingly of a nautical flavour. Actually it’s the best thing about the pub for me as some of the stuff – e.g. mementos from HMS Excellent, model ships, etc, is quite impressive. I also found the beer price quite impressive as well, but for the wrong reasons! There’s a mix of seating – banquettes at the back and in booths near the front, high stools at ledges, and small stools at metal framed tables. There’s an upstairs room as well, but it was closed during my early lunchtime visit. It’s actually quite a nice pub, but I do find the beer prices somewhat offputting.

Pleasant spot situated on a corner of two alleyways behind Holborn Tube. Lots of dark wood, an ornate plastered ceiling, mainly alcove seating with bar and shelf stools. Various pictures of mainly ships and lots of maritime paraphenalia. Wm Youngers stained glass windows indicate a previous life. 5 on, St Austell Tribute, Theakston Bitter, OSH,Deuchers and Bombardier. The "coming soon" board includes Everards Sunchaser and Holts Pioneer....new to me as an ex Mancunian. A decent enough spot for a beer or two.

I popped in here last week and wasn't disappointed with my decision to search for this place (to be honest it wasn't at all difficult). I think that there were 5 real ales on including Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen and Old Peculiar with an array of standard lagers. The barmaid was a little off and to the point, but apart from that I found this to be very good and would recommend it to others.

Official site of the Ship Tavern, contains menus - www.theshiptavern.co.uk