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Picture of The Ship Aground
Image posted by john mcgraw
Submitted on Friday, 15th June 2007
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The Ship Aground, Bermondsey, SE1

33 Wolseley Street
SE1
SE1 2BN
Phone: 02072373314
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Ship Aground (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Tris C left this review about The Ship Aground

This pub dates back to the late 18th century but has been rebuilt at some point – probably in the early 20th century – in a broadly brewers’ Tudor style, a gold Courage cockerel still straddling the sign frame.
The first thing you notice on approach is this small conservatory-cum-annex which, with multiple overflowing ashtrays, seems to act as a smoking area; given that it is in no way 50% opened out, it isn’t legal to smoke here. The next thing you notice is a sign in the window which reads ‘No Riff Raff’; pausing for a moment to contemplate my social status, I eventually threw caution to the wind and entered what is a very dated pub, probably done up in at least the ‘50s if not ‘30s. There’s period brown lacquered wood, black skirting, a pale grey wall to the dado then white textured walls. Furniture is traditional, with some plum velour banquettes, carpeted, décor comprising adverts for old household products and Guinness, then nautical depictions, sport with the sound off so as not to compete with MTV (or similar) and a jukebox, switched off; one item of minor interest was the leaded stained glass pot shelf. That’s the good bit, because thereafter there’s a mass of England flags making the place look like a meet-up venue for the EDL, the naked corpse of a child’s doll in a corner along with a wheelie shopper and a pile of strewn clothes, a coffee machine on the floor, the pot filled with a milky liquid. Then there were several beer rugs slung out to dry on chair backs along with a disinfectant bottle, hanging by its pistol grip from another chair back; there was also scruffy tat on the bar, including a box of Mr. Kipling Cherry Bakewells. Customers were few in number for a Friday, some younger people then a couple of older drinkers, all no doubt avowedly local.
Drinks amounted to a barren ale selection of four unused pumps, then Guinness at £2.50 a half, served by a very old-school landlord who was hardly given to making me feel welcome; perhaps I did constitute riff raff after all.
This is a scruffy place which doesn’t seem to attract much attention, which is hardly surprising; the Gregorian and Old Justice are a short walk away, because as things stand, this old ship has well and truly run aground.

On 1st May 2023 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Ship Aground

There was still no real ale on here when I visited on Thursday lunchtime - although there were four handpumps on the bar counter three of them had clips reversed (couldn't see what they were for) and it looked as if they had been that way for some time. John Smith's, at £1.60 for a half, was the best bet. Also there was no sign of menus or food.

This is essentially a single room pub in that any barriers between the different rooms have long gone, but a connected room back to the right of the bar counter looks like it would once have been a snug, or perhaps a private bar. Although this a traditional pub with no airs or graces on show, it was obviously clean and well maintained on my visit. Furnishings are very traditional, comprising metal-framed rectangular tables, banquette seating round the sides, plus some normal chairs. A really nice touch is the red carpet featuring a ship motif, and the ledges behind the banquette seating all have some darts trophies on them, as well as some potted plants. There's a bit of outside seating at the front of the pub.

This is clearly a locals' pub serving the surrounding Dickens Estate. It's good to see these basic pubs still surviving, but in all honesty I can't see me paying a return visit unless I hear that they've put a decent ale on.

On 4th January 2013 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Ship Aground

Quite an attractive exterior, which looks more Bromley than Bermondsey and seems rather out of place between the old warehouses and the ex-London County Council housing blocks near Dockhead fire station. However, once inside, you find a very traditional two-bar boozer. Some patio seating at the front. Several interesting decorative features, including the special carpet, various local photos and a multi-coloured glazed canopy above the bar. Four disused handpumps, so had to resort to a quick pint of John Smiths Extra Cold (£3.10). Overall, had a friendly atmosphere so worth an extra point despite the beer 'choice'.

On 16th August 2012 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]

External web links for The Ship Aground

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Rex Rattus
London Bridge, 1.02 miles, 19 min walk (show)
London Bridge, 1.02 miles, 19 min walk (show)
Wapping, 1.64 miles, 31 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Ship Aground, SE1
1st May 2023, 19:55
Review submitted by Tris C amended by Tris C
 
1st May 2023, 19:18
Review submitted by Tris C

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Car Park : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Darts : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Dog Friendly : No - 'Strictly No Dogs'. - last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Function Room : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Hot Food : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Jukebox : Yes last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Karaoke : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Live Music : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Pinball : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Pool Table : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Real Ale : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • Real Cider : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
  • WiFi : No last updated 01 May 2023 by Tris C
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