The Ship Inn, March

A traditional, comfortable and welcoming boozer overlooking the Old River Nene which seems to capture the essence of maritime Fenland. It's well described below so I'd only add that there a few tables outside from where various drinkers were enjoying the uninterrupted view of the river and any goings on along the main drag on a warm evening. Beers on were Woodfordes Wherry, TT Boltmaker and Church End Fallen Angel, with the latter two in good shape, and one turned clip. Not a bad selection for a Monday evening. The first place that I'd head to in March and although we didn't venture to the 'spoons that's probably the only competition in town.

Sitting above the Old River Nene where boats moor up,this is a fine thatched roof building with an impressive set of carved roof timbers supporting the ceiling that were destined for a cathederal but fell off a barge.The front room is the essence of the pub,with high tables and chairs to the left,more traditional furniture to the right with a darts board,some exposed brickwork,a large fireplace with a wood burner and a screen above.It was popular on a Monday night and had a real boozer atmosphere.The guv'nor was very friendly and helpful and even gave us complementary nuts as they were running out.There are 5 handpumps and the choice on our visit was TT Boltmakers,Woodforde Wherry and an excellent Church End Fallen Angel with a pump reversed. Fully deserving it's GBG listing,this is probably the best real ale option in town.We left on a voyage of discovery elsewhere in town ,only to be confronted with a nightmare of poor ale options and returned pleased to be back but crest fallen that we could have "shipped" a lot more of the tip top ale in here.Will be back.

This is an old terraced pub set just a few yards East of the Nene Bridge. The bar is in front of you as you enter and there is an area to the right with tables & chairs and another room at the back that I didn't look into. The ceiling has genuine exposed beams. On the bar were six hand pumps with one unused and two with cider. Beers available were Woodforde's Wherry, Tydd Steam Barn Ale and Ramsbury's Ramsberry. I went for the Ramsbury Ramsberry (£3.00) which was in great condition. I thought this was the best of five pubs visited in March.

Called in as we were in March to visit the 2013 Good Beer Guide pubs, and this was one of the two we were looking for. It is a thatched free house by the river, and there are steps down to the river where there are moorings. There are two drinking areas at the front of the pub with a smaller room behind the bar. The beers on offer were from Tydd Steam, Rudgate, Woodfordes, Church End, and Pheasantry. While we were trying to decide what to choose, the barman gave us some tasters which helped us choose the Tydd Steam Cock (a pleasant mild) and Rudgate Battleaxe. Beers in great condition. Certainly a pub I would love to live close to and will visit again when in the aarea.