Ship & Castle, Rudmore, Portsmouth

This strangely positioned Fullers (ex-Gales) house is a bit of an oasis in an industrial desert, isolated from civilisation by the various complexes which have sprung up around the ferry port. When you eventually find a way to get to it, there is little by way of parking, most of the outside curtilage being taken up with tables and chairs, but the Georgian building is eye-catching and pleasant inside. The bar is carpeted and has a mix of seating and eating arrangements. Food is good bar food but like the beer is unnecessarily expensive. Staff were reasonably friendly, but the regular clientele were vastly outnumbered by lycralouts cycling off to some charity event which made the pub crowded and service slow. There were two ales on – I had Fake-HSB which was not in good condition. Worth popping in for a pre-Channel crossing pint, but the complex one-way system makes it problematic to get to by road when arriving on the ferry, and the beer quality needs watching.

Easy enough place to find when leaving the UK. A little bit harder when arriving from France. This is a place you want to go to. Although Steve stopped taking orders at 9PM, he managed to serve us a fine meal when we stopped at his pub at 10 o'clock. In short: friendly landlord, good curry, nice beer. Can't ask for more.