The Ship Inn, Retford

Although I haven't reviewed this pub in its previous guise as the Rum Runner, I've been here numerous times since my first visit in 2004 and noticed a bit of a tailing off in beer quality in recent years, so wasn't surprised to see the pub closed when I was last in Retford. There has been a thorough refurbishment by Batemans, a return to the original name and an enthusiastic young manager put in charge. The biggest change inside is that the bar has been opened so that it faces both rooms - previously the dining room had no bar access. There are four hand pumps on each side (see photos) with quite an impressive beer offering, though I was disappointed to see no Batemans XXXB. I went for their Salem Porter instead, and this was a very nice drink in tip top condition. A very welcome fire was in the large fireplace and I have to say it was great to be back. It must be time for a reprise of my old pub crawl: Lincoln-and-back by train. Date of visit: 24th November 2017

When i first visited this pub it was called the Ship Inn and it was an Home Ales tied house with their excellent Home bitter and mild on the bar. The Rum Runner is a two roomed pub the left room was in darkness so i went in the right room this was a decent sized room with the bar to the left,there were four real ales on the bar with two from Batemans as the pub is a Batemans tied house and two guest beers,i had a drink of Batemans XB and this was a very nice drink i forgot to note the other beers. This is a decent enough pub to have a few drinks in. Pub visited 2/6/2012