The Shipwrights, Padstow

A substantial, stone-built pub in a prime spot overlooking the harbour, it makes the most of it’s location with plenty of picnic benches at the front and it inevitably gets packed on sunny days. Besides the seating at the front, there is also a beer garden at the rear, although we did not investigate this. Inside it’s quite traditional with a flagstone floor, dark wood panelling on the walls and a low beamed ceiling. As befits it’s location, much of the paraphernalia has something of a nautical theme such as a ship’s lantern, ropes and the obligatory glass case showing a number of different knot designs. A large, open brick fire-place was at one end of the pub whilst a plasma was stuck on the wall next to it, although this was not in use. A food ordering point is at the opposite end, which should in theory relieve congestion at the bar for those who only want a drink. We didn’t eat on this occasion, but a glance at the menu revealed a selection of dishes divided in to sections such as sandwiches, jackets, vegetarian options, meat lovers (which was mostly burgers) and Quayside Classics. Prices for most of the main courses were somewhere around the £9/£10 mark. Beers on tap were all from St. Austell’s with their HSD, Tribute, Proper Job and Trelawny. Ciders were Strongbow and Cornish Rattler, of both the Original and Pear varieties.