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Detail Pages
The Ship & Shovell, WC2
WC2
WC2N 5PH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Ship & Shovell
Another good visit to this fine establishment last night. A great pub and worth searching out.
Why ?.
1) Pub in two halves as described below, and each with their own character, so its like doing two pubs in one.
2) Its a Hall & Woodhouse, and there is not many of them in The City.
3) The quality of the beers and the service is always top notch in my experience.
Very busy on this pre Christmas evening with standing room only.
But did not mind that as the well kept Badger beers are worth it and the Tanglefoot was particularly fine.
On 23rd December 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Ship & Shovell
Situated up the steps at the end of the Arches, off Villiers Street, is a quirky ‘pub of two halves’ one room either side of Cravens Passage. It’s owned by Hall & Woodhouse, they of the Badger brand of beers, Expect to find at least three of their ales on the go in both bars alongside H&W’s branded lager – the quality is usually pretty good. The larger bar has some very pretty etched glasswork – I’m not sure if this is original though. The place is kept clean and well-maintained so is comfy for a session. It can get quite busy after work, expect people to spill out into the passageway later in the week. Worth seeking out, for the novelty value at the very least and a great place to take a foreign guest in London.
On 27th September 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Ship & Shovell
This is still the best pub in the immediate area. Now in two halves – the part on the left as you come up the steps from Villiers St used to be Garvey's sandwich bar. I remember when the original part on the right used to be a two-room pub. You can still see the original mosaic floor as you enter; turn left to the Public bar and right to the Saloon Bar. The old Public bar area to the left is nothing to write home about, but the Saloon Bar side remains very attractive with its portrait of the ill-fated Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell (after whom the pub is named) above the fireplace, and cut glass mirrors all along the back wall. But the Public Bar was one of the few places that you could get a real ale (Bass) back in the mid-70s.
OK, back to the present day then. This is a Hall & Woodhouse, with Badger Bitter, Tanglefoot and Lemony Cricket on. I wasn't brave enough to venture into the unknown territory of Lemony Cricket, and went for the tried and tested Badger Bitter. Pretty good it was too, and at £2.80 a pint. This pub is definitely worth finding if you're in the area.
On 14th September 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Ship & Shovell
This pub is unique in London as far as I am aware as it is split into two by Craven Passage. It's one of my favourite pubs in London and I always visit at the start or end of a crawl round the area depending on how busy it is with the after work crowd. The pub is named after Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell whose portrait hangs in the main bar. He managed to run his fleet of ships aground in 1707 killing around 2000 sailors. A bit strange to name a pub after him as he's not exactly a hero. Both sides of the pub are nicely decorated and there are usually 3 or 4 beers from Badger available and always in good condition. Well worth a visit as it's convenient for 2 mainline stations and several tube lines.
On 7th September 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Ship & Shovell
I suppose to do this place properly you should have a drink in each side, but sadly not the time. The larger side has 4 pumps and a TV, the quieter opposite bar 3 pumps, all serve Hall and Woodhouse beers, not my particular favourite but ok for a bit of variety. Some nice etched glass in the larger bar, wood panelling in the neighbour, a strong naval theme throughout with pictures of ships and Admiral Cloudesley Shovell after whom the pub is named. A smaller bar upstairs is known as The Crows Nest.
An ok place but I can't help but feel it is as celebrated for its quirkiness as much as any other feature.
On 1st March 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]