The Ship Inn, Lymington

As described below, this historic town pub has been largely ruined, having its character and history marred by over-modernisation and a desire to attract – whom, exactly? It lacks atmosphere, feels tacky and there is an air of entitlement about the place. The staff were not particularly friendly, the locals – if that’s what they were – were a miserable crowd who appeared to have no purpose other than to be annoying. On the plus side, there were three ales on draught, Fortyniner, Doombar and Somerset Red, all in reasonable condition but not so brilliant as to justify the extortionately high prices. There was also a bank of keg beers. Despite the good beer I don’t really want to come back.

I had planned to visit the Ship Inn on a recent Monday afternoon, but the handbrake thought the glass frontage didn’t look very inviting so we gave it a miss. I think that if we had noticed the huge decked area that overlooks this waterside location we may have given it a try. This decked area was of little interest to me when I paid a visit on my own the following chilly evening. The very large L shaped interior was busy with dining families, but I would have had no problem getting a table. I found the service to be friendly, if maybe a little forward. Standard and premium keg products are available from the bar that supports three hand pumps that were drawing Sharp’s Doom Bar, Ringwood’s Forty-Niner and Fuller’s Seafarer. I would have no problem returning on a nice sunny afternoon, maybe out of season because I imagine it gets very busy in the summer months.

Three ales on in here - Doom Bar, Bombardier Gold, and Itchen Valley Godfather. I'm sure that somewhere with a location as good as this pub will do food, but I didn't get to see a menu. Right on the marina at Lymington, this is an old pub that looks to have been extended into adjoining buildings at some stage, and inside it's clearly been thoroughly modernised. There's modern features like a see-through fireplace, stacks of logs around the place, and reclaimed (ship's?) beams in an effort to give a bit of a retro look. Furnishings seem to be mainly normal tables and chairs. There are several rooms, with the servery roughly in the centre, as well some outside seating. This place easily has the best location of any of the Lymington pubs. I enjoyed a really good pint of Godfathers looking out over the harbour on a late summer evening while waiting for my train. It's a bit touristy of course, as these harbourside pubs tend to be, but certainly worth a punt if you're in Lymington.

The Ship Inn has an imposing position situated on the Lymington quay providing good views of the estuary and the IoW ferry opposite. Externally it’s also quite imposing having a large sea facing semi-circular section with dormer windows and then a three-storey middle bay section also with dormers astride the entrance. However it’s no longer a traditional pub inside to match this exterior and as you walk in you are greeted by a very modern restaurant / pub interior and the L-shaped quarry-tiled and stone floored space has the usual Gastro pub bare-brick walls and plenty of exposed wood. It does have a bit of character though in that there is a clear nautical theme and one area is dominated by a strange design wood-burning fireplace. The pub also benefits from a large outside decked area overlooking the harbour. Although the bar supports three hand pumps that had Fullers London pride, Wadsworth 6X and Hop Back’s January seasonal Winter Lightning, which was very good, on for our visit, I still got the impression that this place is food led and most people in seemed to be there for the food menu rather than just a drink. So to me more gastro than traditional pub but although not a big pull on a cold January afternoon, I would certainly visit again to utilised the waterside decking area if I was to return on a more fair weather day.

Official site of the Ship Inn with menu and wine list - www.theshiplymington.co.uk

Official site of the Ship Inn with menu and wine list - www.theshiplymington.co.uk