In the heart of town, The Ship Inn is a great place to wile away a couple of hours for drinks with friends or a hearty meal after a day at the beach.
It’s family-friendly and close to everything in town, with a varied menu to suit everyone’s palate.
Set just back from Swanage Bay, you can combine your visit with a beach or cliff walk, or check out the various nearby attractions in town, such as Swanage Museum, the restored Victorian Pier, or traditional beach-front arcades.
The Ship is now a pet-free pub, but there are plenty of other pubs in the area if you and your four-legged friend are hoping to share a meal together.
Food at The Ship – traditional pub grub with a twist
The menu at The Ship has a fresh take on firm favourites, such as poshed-up ‘gourmet’ hot dogs and pulled-pork rolls with an Asian twist.
It’s a popular spot for traditional pub plates like burgers with a range of toppings, scampi & chips, and light bites such as a ploughman’s or plate of nachos with all the trimmings, but you’ll also find some more adventurous flavours and ingredients on The Ship’s vibrant menu.
Look out for special offers and seasonal menus at certain times of the year – for example at Valentines (think rib eye steak served with dauphinoise potatoes, followed by a sharing desert of waffles and pancakes), and Christmas, with a festive hot dog or ‘Christmas Burger’.
Sunday roasts are served throughout the day between 12pm – 7pm, except during peak season (late spring & summer) when roasts aren’t available. Instead the kitchen offers the normal menu through till 9pm.
The pub often also runs special offers on certain beers – check their Facebook page for latest offers and updates.
(Gallery images courtesy of The Ship Inn)
And if you can’t resist the temptation of the brownies on the dessert menu, check out further baked goodies by local company La Mia Torta, which supplies them to The Ship.
Follow La Mia Torta’s culinary creations on Facebook and Instagram, and get in touch to place an order for a special occasion or bespoke baked gift: www.facebook.com/lamiatorta/
Opening hours
The Ship is typically open as follows, though this can vary across bank holidays and around local events:
- Monday – Thursday – 12pm to 10.30pm
- Friday & Saturday – 12pm – 11.30pm
- Sundays 12pm – 9pm
If you’re going to The Ship for a meal, note that the kitchen is closed between 3pm and 5pm each day (in peak season a limited version of the menu will still be running between these times, so you can still grab a sandwich or a pizza).
Booking & contact details
Book a table online, by phoning or popping in. You can also turn up without a booking but this pub can be popular with both visitors and locals, especially in the summer.
Call or book online via Facebook or Instagram to book a table, or follow this link: book.simpleerb.com/16914/ship-inn-swanage/
- ℹ️ www.facebook.com/ShipInnSwanage/
- 📞01929 423855