The Ship Inn, Bristol

A pleasant, olde worlde pub just a short walk away from the High Street. On going in to the small entrance vestibule, you’re presented with two doors, one to the left marked “The Cuddy” (which is a cabin on a small boat) and one to the right marked “The Foc’sle” (which is the forward part of the upper deck). The Foc’sle is effectively the public bar, being a long room containing the bulk of the bar counter with a plasma and dart board down at the far end. The Cuddy is a smaller, cosier affair with carpeted floors and the walls being a mixture of wood panelling and exposed stonework, a smaller wood panelled corner bar and a large stone fireplace which has an inscription dating the pub to 1636. On from this again is a smaller room used more for dining and private functions. There is also a small but pleasant garden at the back, and below this something that looks as though it may perhaps be a boules pitch, or something similar. From here there are good views of the adjacent park and river. There was some sort of food offering, although I didn’t inspect the menu. Beers on offer were mostly from Marston’s, with their Burton, Pedigree and Dragon’s Tale. In addition to this was Wychwood Paddy’s Tout, Jennings Stickle Pike and Ringwood Best. Ciders were Blackthorn & Thatcher’s Gold.