The Ship Inn, Chichester

A brief stay in nearby West Wittering saw this pub on the tick list, what with its listing on the Camra Pub Heritage site for its "fielded panelling, parquet floors and original fireplaces". Covid restrictions precluded sitting indoors (unless eating and we had planned to eat elsewhere), although a trip to the Gents gave me a chance to have a butchers' at the internal decor; a smallish L-shaped bar area, with a dining area off the the far right of the building. Three local ales on; Arundel Castle, Arundel Sussex IPA and Long Man Best with the Sussex IPA in very fine form indeed. There's only one road into and out of Itchenor and the other half was in thrall of the impressive houses which line either side on our journey there and back.

Official site of The Ship Inn - www.theshipinnitchenor.co.uk

Official site of The Ship Inn - www.theshipinnitchenor.co.uk

An excellent pub which manages to be a cross between a yachties' haven and a proper country pub. Interesting menu, with a few specials sourced from local ingredients. Food was very well prepared indeed, and there were 3 ales on: I had pints of Landlord and Ballards Best, both in excellent condition. It is a single large bar, good outside area and is easily reachable by car and boat. The staff were very pleasant, and the clientele was an interesting mix of yachties, locals and a pair of ladies who, I'm sure, were neither but for a fee would pretend to be anything you wanted, though it was clear they were not anything to do with the pub as such. I'm certain I will be back (for the ale and food, I hasten to add).