The Ship Inn Restaurant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

375 reviews

#1 of 1 Restaurant in West Stour££ - £££, Bar, British, Pub

+44 1747 838640+ Add website

Hours

Sun

12:00 - 15:00

Mon

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

Tue

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

Wed

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

Thu

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

Fri

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

Sat

12:00 - 14:3018:00 - 21:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

375 reviews

#1 of 1 Restaurant in West Stour

Travellers' Choice 2023

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options

“... onion soup, followed by Cornish mussels and warm bread, for desert I had ...”

“The evening was excellent, scallops were cooked to perfection.”

“We enjoyed Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Skate with mussels & Mango Crème Brûlée -...”

Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Groups, Bar Scene, Business meetings

“We stayed here on a Thursday night for a business trip, after a few nights st...”

Location and contact

A30, West Stour, Gillingham SP8 5RP England

+44 1747 838640

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Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

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Details

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About

Food is at the heart of our culture- what we eat, how it is grown, made and served. Our values shape our menu decisions- environmentally positive, sustainable and delicious food you want to eat!

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly

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4.5

375 reviews

Excellent

288

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

gibsonmarie

Ayrshire16 contributions

Dinner

Sept 2021 • none

We had dinner at the pub about a week ago. Had read excellent reviews and we were looking forward to eating there. We arrived at 6 when they opened and received a warm welcome and we’re shown to our table which seemed to be in a hallway between the normal eating area and the bar. We didn’t think too much about it until the evening progressed. The staff had to us the area to put together the cutlery, serviettes etc for place settings, so very often there were staff fairly closed by which inhibited our conversations slightly. Also, the entrance to the kitchen was there, so we didn’t have a great deal of privacy. My partner really enjoyed his meal of Pork Belly, I was disappointed with my meal. I had ordered sea bass. Each part of the meal (the sea bass, potatoes and seared cabbage) tasted fine but overall there were no standout flavours. As a whole, it was a bit bland and visually it was the same, all very pale. I should have had a caramelised cauliflower on the plate as well but , I realised later, this had been forgotten. I mentioned it when we were leaving and they were very apologetic. Very nice staff but a bit disappointing, maybe I’m just being over critical.

Written 20 September 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jenni

Hertfordshire1 contribution

Perfect base for seeing beautiful Dorset with family and pet pooch.

Nov 2022 • family

We stayed for 2 nights in the family room at the end of November. The welcome from Brett in the bar was very friendly and he promptly showed us to our room so we could settle in. We had dinner in the bar area (our dog came too) on the Friday night and Sarah was exceptionally welcoming. We all really enjoyed our meal of starters, mains and desserts. There was a good choice of mains although we all fancied steak which was cooked perfectly to our individual preferences. The breakfasts were also really good. The first morning we all had different meals of full English, poached eggs on toast, scrambled egg with smoked salmon and waffles with fruit which all came together and was cooked to perfection. Compliments to the chef. The family room for 4 is very spacious (2 rooms really with an archway between). We’re a family with teenagers and a dog so that layout was perfect. Nice big bathroom. It’s a very old building with lots of history which we loved. If you want doors that fit perfectly rectangular spaces and floors that have been measured with a spirit level then you might be better in a Best Western or similar! A great base to visit the local area. We managed to visit family in Dorchester, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Shaftesbury with the “Hovis” hill and the Giant at Cerne Abbas all within 2 days without feeling like we were rushing around. Although the Ship Inn is in a beautiful countryside location , there’s a fantastic farm shop (it’s huge) with cafe just down the road and a handy Spar if needed. We had a lovely stay and would definitely visit again.

Written 27 November 2022

MarkyB0902

Pembury16 contributions

A gem of a place

Feb 2022 • none

After a long journey from Kent we wanted a quick bite to eat and drink and came across this place on the A30. It looked so inviting from the outside we just had to go in and we are so glad we did. The welcome by the staff was second to none - they epitomised exactly how to greet customers and how to make them feel immediately welcome. We were seated straight away and our drinks order taken very swiftly and delivered equally quickly. We throughly enjoyed the excellent banter / chat by the two gentlemen who served us while we waited for our food. We only had items from the starter section but the pate was exceptional and the pheasant scotch egg and home made brown sauce was of the highest standard. It is clear this pub is used for travellers such as us who are enroute elsewhere but if we had more time we would have loved to stay longer and try more of the excellent food on offer. Thank you so much for one of the best pub dining experiences we have had.

Written 12 February 2022

sammyt1984

Oxford43 contributions

Midweek holiday dinner

Oct 2021 • none

We visited on a very dark and rainy night, looking for a tasty meal and being excited by the menu on the website. My husband and I had Ballotine of chicken stuffed with thyme and sundried tomato in an arrabiata sauce with wilted spinach, green beans and parmesan & mushroom stuffed potato skins. The food was stunning and the service was lovely, with the waiting staff incredibly friendly. A couple points of feedback however is that on such a dark, wet autumn night it would be helpful if the car park were lit. I would always feel more comfortable if staff were wearing masks, even though I'm aware they are no longer mandatory. Also the menu online matching the one presented to us, as there was a dish I was looking forward to that wasn't on the restaurant menu when we arrived.

Written 20 October 2021

TJA950

Gillingham1581 contributions

Impressive!

Aug 2023 • couples

This establishment has been under new management for about twelve months now and they took over from a well respected and well thought of “mine host” who had built up a reputation for good food. So, no pressure! I went for lunch shortly after the new management took over and it was evident that they were still struggling with their “modus operandi” and it was unfair to judge them. Well, how are they twelve months on? Without hesitation, the answer is very good. The meet and greet, friendly, efficient, the serving staff attentive throughout and the drinks came quickly. We were greeted with a menu, not too long, with an interesting choice and supplemented by a specials board and certainly a cut above "pub food". Unlike the previous management, I believe this menu changes from time to time. All the items were priced reasonably in my opinion, pitched just right having regard to the quality and portion sizes they serve. I know these are difficult times but a lot of pubs and restaurants in this area have excessive pricing and do not deliver this quality of food. The food came out efficiently, even on a busy Friday night. I had the “slow cooked” pork, which implies tenderness, but it was a little tough and lacked flavour to be honest. It is manifest that this chef clearly knows what he is doing and is not your average “pub chef”. I suspect that the quality of the pork was the problem rather than the cooking and it did not re-heat well. A minor point because the food is prepared superbly and is delicious despite this minor criticism. Did I enjoy my meal? You bet, fantastic, Would I go again? Yes, definitely! Would I encourage you to go? Yes, most certainly! Personally, I am taking my friends to dine there in the next few weeks so they can share my experience.

Written 26 August 2023

riley317

Poitiers76 contributions

Disappointing

Oct 2022 • none

We have been meaning to stop here for years, and at last got to do so. As an enthusiast for real cider, I had been expecting something like the (usually) 6 choices referred to on Whatpub. Instead, only two ciders ... served from a handpump, chilled. Chilled ... just like a real cider should not be! I am no fan of Thatchers cider but the Haze was acceptable, in a chemical sort of way. My friend's Butcombe beer was very good. Reviews indicate the food is exceptionally well cooked, and sizeable portions/good value. So we were somewhat surprised at the menu prices. "Classic pub food" ... but restaurant prices. You could hardly call their bar area restaurant standard, and we certainly weren't offered a restaurant dining room either. We both opted for the ale battered fish and chips, at a record breaking £15.95. For that money, we expected seriously good, and substantial portions. Instead, the fish portions would have looked more appropriate for a young child's meal. Nothing special about the fish either. The chips were pretty good, but there should have been more of them! Desserts were laughably expensive, so we voted with our feet and left.

Written 4 October 2022

Paul W

Honiton4 contributions

Sail on by the Ship inn, don’t drop anchor here.

Sept 2023 • friends

Booked for Sunday lunch, and arrived in good time. Table of 5 of us sat down the end where it was very hot, asked for a window or door to be opened to allow some air through, but was told this was not possible. Waited 25 minutes and then had to go and find someone to take our order. The starters arrived and all was good at this point. Then after being seated for nearly 90 mins the roasts finally arrived, basically inedible. Obviously had been left under the heat lamps for a long time as the beef had a brown crisp top to it. This was mainly fat and gristle.The pork was very dry, but then to the roast potatoes! They had again been reheated so much that they extremely hard, almost hollow and impossible to cut. When we complained we were offered steak knives to cut them? They did give us a bowl of more potatoes which were a little better. The veg again had burnt parts where they had been left under the lamps. Almost all the food was left on the plates and we decided to not try for a sweet. Went to the bar and complained and the woman did not seemed surprised and immediately cancelled the bill for all the food and we just paid for the drinks. Never again!

Written 11 September 2023

Food/Holidays22

Chichester455 contributions

Friendly welcome, atmospheric restaurant and 'fun' staff with great food!

Jul 2021 • none

We were recommended by our lovely Clockhouse B&B hosts and were delighted with the experience. We both had scallops & black pudding to start and then one smoked haddock with spinach & mash (generous portion!) and one hake supreme with prawn & white bean sauce (so many beans!) but beautifully presented and cooked. Our bottle of dry French Vermentino was very reasonably priced. We couldn't manage desserts but would definitely return.

Written 3 July 2021

Gnarly176

Sherborne276 contributions

Expensive !!!

Nov 2023 • family

Went here based on some of the other reviews, was disappointed. Had three roast beef’s with 3 starters two terrine and one soup. The food was OK but some of the beef was so tough we couldn’t cut it. The worst part was the bill at the end £143 which is £47 a head. Stupidly I didn’t take a copy of the bill. We calculated what we had with drinks and got to £114 so can only assume we were hit with a £29 service charge or were miss charged for an extra meal. Either way we won’t be returning!

Written 26 November 2023

Ruffidawes

Portchester29 contributions

Outstanding food in a friendly, welcoming, family-run place!

Feb 2023 • none

We booked a table after a friend mentioned they'd had a great experience here. We arrived for an early evening meal with friends and were met by a very friendly host, Sarah. We were seated in a lovely snug area of the restaurant. The staff were very attentive but not intrusive. The menu had a good variety of dishes, cooked, I later discovered from scratch by the Head Chef/Co Owner, Nick Cottrell and his team. I had the Venison Scotch Egg, Wow! cooked to perfection and extremely tasty. The rest of my party had the soup of the day and the onion bajis. We followed these with poached plaice with crispy mussels and kohlrabi, the steak bavette and the Dingley Dell pork ribeye. The meal was paired with some excellent wines, suggested by Sarah, her depth of knowledge was a real bonus. It's been a long while since we have had such an excellent meal, it was superb! The quality of the ingredients, the presentation and skill of this team was evident throughout. I am pleased to say we congratulated ourselves at such a find! We certainly look forward to many more visits. For anyone looking for outstanding food & wine served by a friendly team who really know their stuff you certainly won't be disappointed - book early and get their number in your phone because you'll be returning often!!

Written 3 March 2023

Gerald K

1 contribution

Monday night table of 4

Feb 2023 • family

I went to the Ship Inn on Monday night with my wife her Sister and brother in law. Really pleasant and helpful staff and well looked after by the person who waited on our table. Sadly the food did not live up to the same standard. I had the venison scotch egg to start. The egg was cooked nice with a runny yolk however the meat surrounding the egg was overcooked and very dry. My brother in law had mini Thai fish cakes which he described as having a rubbery texture. Three of us had the cod and chips which were very disappointing. The fish portions were not only very small but over cooked and dry the batter so hard it was difficult to cut into. The chips were quite greasy and a very small portion of mushy peas that were also dry and cloying. Not what you would expect at £15.95 a portion. Really must do better. It was like the fish had been reheated from a lunchtime setting. Cannot praise the staff enough however who were polite and attentive. Don’t think we will be coming back however having spent £118 for that level of quality.

Written 21 February 2023

Helen R

1 contribution

Valentines Evening

Feb 2023 • couples

Just a lovely, homely, relaxed evening. The restaurant and bar were full and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. Brett was there to greet us at the bar whereby his own Love Potion cocktail went down very well. The menu was refreshingly different. The sharing platter of chargrilled halibut, clam popcorn, pickled sea herb salad along with a jug of yummy lobster bisque, felt very special and was plentiful and delicious. Nick, Sarah and the team deserve every success. The Ship at West Stour has it all in our opinion.

Written 14 February 2023

EMW060161

Garden City20 contributions

A wonderful Saturday lunch

Sept 2022 • none

My husband and I have always enjoyed The Ship Inn, and I’m pleased say the new owners are upholding the standards of the restaurant and pub we loved. Sarah and Nick are doing a fabulous job, making everyone feel welcomed and serving wonderful food. We had lunch with a party of 6, and everyone truly enjoyed their meal. We are looking forward to our next visit!

Written 3 September 2022

Michael S

Shaftesbury64 contributions

Takeaway Menu Every Bit as Good as Dining in

Jan 2021 • solo

One of the few positive effects of lockdown has been that The Ship’s excellent food is now available for takeaways. The quality, quantity and value is every bit as good as for dining in. The menu is inevitably restricted but is regularly changed.

Written 8 January 2021

Siobhan D

London9 contributions

Delicious high quality food and great service

Nov 2022 • couples

The quality of the food and service is fantastic in its own right, and it really stands out amongst what else is available in the area. If you’re looking for delicious, high quality food, then this is the place to go. Perfect fish and chips- it’s out me off getting them anywhere else! We’ve also tried specials like the beef wellington and cassoulet and they were some of the best dishes we’ve had in a while! All the staff are incredibly warm and friendly. For any non drinkers like us, they have a really good non alcoholic/ alcohol- free IPA.

Written 5 November 2022

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