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Ship, Ripley

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user reviews of the Ship, Ripley

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

This could be a decent pub, sadly it is ruined by the "miserable as sin" landlord, I don't expect mindless "have a nice day" service but common courtesy would be nice to a paying customer, tried the pub a few times, service always the same, won't bother going back.
beershot - 3 Nov 2014 14:37
Awful landlady who is obnoxiously rude. How these guys are still in business is anyone's guess with her carry on. She is rude, hostile, surly and unwelcoming. Rude to your face and rude to your back. Utterly charmless and spoils an otherwise nice pub. Beers are good and so is the general ambience, until "she" makes an appearance. I hope someone from the brewery read this, and the many other reviews.
billybragg - 15 Mar 2014 16:38
The Christmas decorations are up and jollity abounds.
On that note : What do a Christmas tree and priest have in common?

Their balls are just for decoration.
fierybob - 16 Dec 2012 07:36
Five of us attempted to visit this pub today (Sunday) and our experience mirrors one previous reviewer. Walked in to be greeted with a curt "we're closed". None of the usual common courtesys just some ugly old bird who obviously hates the world. Good riddance ugly hope you go bankrupt. A pub a day goes bust in this country, if theres any justice yours will be next
beernotfood - 15 Apr 2012 21:10
As a pub critic for the South East I would not recommend this establishment to friends and family.

While the beer and ale are more then adequate the reception by the hosts and prices do not come up to scratch.

I felt compelled to visit The Ship after mixed reviews from friends.

I will not be frequenting The Ship again and recommend others to enjoy one of the many pubs nearby.

Regards,
SouthEast_Pubcritic - 20 Jan 2012 15:31
Ah, the old 'we shut at three but stay open 'till four on a sunday' conundrum. You're not the first and certainly won't be the last to fall foul of that - Big Slim, Mick Hucknell, they've all done it. However, i should point out that your clear lack of wit, self loathing and intelligence suggests that you really wouldn't like The Ship, or infact any pub. Why not try a coffee or tea shop next time - i'm sure you'll get the faceless service you so require there.
QModo - 13 Jan 2012 15:19
I felt compelled to write a review after my experience at The Ship this afternoon.
I came to visit Ripley for the first time and made the grave mistake of arranging to meet a friend at this pub, I arrived slightly early and was greeted by a man at the door with "YOU'RE coming in HERE? Are you SURE? Have you been here before?" At which point of course all the punters stopped in their tracks and turned to stare and smirk at me.
I carried on into the pub but I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere and I couldn't decide whether it would be more awkward to sit down or turn around and leave. After a few seconds the landlady told me the pub was closed, gesturing for me to leave. An hour later I walked past again and it was obvious they were still serving.
I do not understand how anyone can afford to turn away any business in this climate, it is just madness to me. When I came home I googled the pub and I am relieved to have found I am not the only person who has had such an unpleasant experience, I feel better knowing it probably wasn't just because of the colour of my skin.
Either way the message is clear, The Ship does not welcome newcomers. So before you bother, save yourself the trouble and just go to any one of the other pubs.

rubymay - 8 Jan 2012 23:10
Christmas decorations are up and jollity abounds !
pintoft - 14 Dec 2011 13:04
Into the stone flagged bar I go,
A friendly smile, a fond "hello",
Fresh foaming pints at bargain prices,
Locals discussing other people's vices,
All year round it's the place to be,
The Ship in the High street in old Ripley,
They smoke and chat outside the pub,
Only one problem - there is no grub.

pintoft - 29 Sep 2011 15:10
A nice looking old traditional pub,it suffers though in my view from an unimaginative beer range,courage best, hogsback tea, London pride and G.k Abbot. That said my pint of tea was very well kept and very drinkable despite not being my one of my favourites. worth a visit if in Ripley.
Picasso09 - 4 Jun 2011 10:24
Pintoff, I wouldn't worry too much about Marley23's review, they 'highly recommended' the Anchor in Ripley. No accounting for some peoples taste! I personally enjoy my few and far between trips to the Ship. Regulars and owners alike are friendly and entertaining, they just don't happen to suffer fools lightly.
liebfraumilch - 31 Dec 2010 20:32
well if that isnt a "mixed review" i dont know what is??????????
any1 - 19 Oct 2010 20:02
Can't understand why this pub gets such mixed reviews. Maybe it should be renamed the marmite. As a relative newcomer I have found everybody (well almost everybody) to be welcoming although I have noticed that pretentious prats are not tolerated. Marvellous !
fierybob - 10 Oct 2010 09:16
Well marley23 'Should be gin and Jags, more old bags with fags.' indeed. G&J clientele are the last thing this pub needs you tosser.
pintoft - 8 Oct 2010 16:25
Slap bang in the middle of Ripley opposite the guitar shop. Mixed reviews, usually poor. Needs TLC, although charitable regulars painted outside this Summer. It is well located next to One Stop, so if you feel the need to grab ten Bensons and hover outside having a cigarette this should be your first port of call when drinking in Ripley. The real ale selection is good, particularly the Abbot. But matched by The Talbot. It has a reasonable outside atmosphere in the summer months, usually on a Friday night where the tired looking client�le do their best to look interested in one another. It definitely scores artificially highly, thanks to some loyal misguided individuals - but don't be fooled. It's dead the rest of the year and for a good reason. Should be gin and Jags, more old bags with fags. Shabby.
marley23 - 31 Aug 2010 11:11
Pleasant pub, low ceiling with ancient wooden beams , very cosy. Four ales on which is good to see, although all run of the mill. Courage Best, London Pride,Abbot and Hogs Back T.E.A. I had a pint of pride as the T.E.A. was just having a change of barrel. I'm not a massive fan of Pride finding it generaly rather bland, but this was well kept and the best i've tasted for sometime. A nice pub i wont hesitate to call in again.
Picasso09 - 19 May 2010 22:51
singles nite in the ship just means that is what the landlady will be drinking for a change!!!! :)
any1 - 6 May 2010 20:45
It is rumoured there is to be a 'singles night' on the first Thursday of every month. I hope it happens. There are several regulars who would be certainly be a 'good catch'.
pintoft - 5 May 2010 16:49
I dream of being here!
OldBaileyHack - 10 Jan 2010 20:28
Everything a pub should be.
WinnieSChurchill - 3 Jan 2010 00:52
Well Christmas is over. Once again there was a marvelous Christmas lunch (how do they do it ?). With the bracing weather plus the general seasonal jollity (which seems to flush people out into the fresh air) there has been a steady stream of walkers and strangers with children in tow. It really does liven up proceedings having strangers visit and discover the typical Ripley welcome and the bonhomie of the regulars.If only they would remember to shut the door when they leave. Cheers and mine's a pint !
pintoft - 1 Jan 2010 20:56
"Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves! "
Ripley bonfire cometh but more importantly Harry's ritual lighting of the fire. More chuckles to be had with rosy cheeked locals warmed by Abbot and the glowing embers.
pintoft - 10 Sep 2009 13:31
cracking theme nights and try sunday afternoons "turet therapy" its F**&543g superb
basstard - 9 Jul 2009 20:20
Charming English pub; glad my old chums recommended it.
DEPTFORDDUTCH - 30 Jun 2009 20:55
It is a real pleasure to see such a posting from someone of obvious discerning taste (a Clifford James shopper). I do take issue with the transportation issue however. It may just be a case that the bus options and time tables are not fully understood. The 462/463 service between Woking and Guildford is very good, although the frequency of service could be improved. The drivers are also an unreservedly jolly bunch. If 'princemonolulu' (what a lovely username) had stayed on the train until Guildford he would have found he had the advantage of an additional bus service. The 515 from Guildford to Kingston, via Ripley. A choice of two bus routes ! How well the village is served. Please take note that if you are thinking of visiting on a Sunday the 462/463 doesn't run so the 515A is the only option. On Sunday the services which coincide with opening hours (12 noon to 3 p.m. prompt) leave Guilford at 10:40 a.m. (a little wait on the bench outside until opening time) and 13:10 (my personal favourite). I would recommend bringing a packed lunch or a picnic as since the fuse has blown in the plug to the microwave one can no longer enjoy a tasty 'pub lunch'.
pintoft - 10 Nov 2008 16:57
Having ventured from dear old London by train to Woking and waited for ever for a bus to Ripley (a short bus hop I was advised! Will I never learn? A horse & cart would have been quicker) I found the shoe shop that I was after; Clifford James opposite "The Anchor". Great shoe shop for those chaps such as myself with large "Plates). Wishing for a drink instead of waiting for half an hour in the rain at the bus stop, I ventured into the "Ship". What a find! Old English, Wood beams, true roaring, smoking open fire. Knarled old, red faced country farts huddled against it for warmth. Old Fart being a true description of one old military boiler brewing away and hobbling outside just intime to let rip. Thank god for the smoking ban, or he would have blown the place to bits. Obviously no class chap, ex-army type. The Royal Navy would never sink so low. However, one can't blame the Landlord & lady for some of the characters that enter within. And in respect to the Landlady, what a warm and welcoming young Welsh girl she is. Open hearted, funny and informative of the history, nature of place and people. The reason for the pub being called the Ship, and the Anchor along the way is due to this being the Old London/Portsmouth Road. Hello Sailor!! Hence the warm and happy vibes within I believe. I was introduced to a local brew called "Tea", 4 percent. Lovely,lovely stuff. Must seek it out in London. In all, a marvellous, and very pleasant, unexpected treat of a pub. Well worth the vist chaps & chapess' if your nearby. Enjoy. Must bring Nicholas Cage along; a favorite with the lovely landlady.

Princemonolulu - 31 Oct 2008 11:15
Lived in Ripley for many years and although the pub itself is very attractive I would not describe the landlord and wife as remotely welcoming. Occasionally less than usually hostile but never welcoming!
lemonadedrinker - 15 Aug 2008 10:50
Re. smurf last post, no smoke without fire, just because two people post similar opinions dont mean they are not valid, first impressions last.
any1 - 29 Jul 2008 22:34
The Ship is one of my most favourite pubs. I used to be a regular but unfortunately with various reasons I no longer go there. I have never had any problem with either Harry or Lisa. They are absolutely great people. I have always been welcomed with warmth. The regulars as wonderful people as well. Very down to earth people's pub as opposed to others you meet in pubs within the vicinity!
TurkishLady - 6 Jun 2008 11:31
If you actually look both recent negative comments were posted on the same day - i suspect very highly that they were actually together when they went in and had a bad experience! The comments being very similar would suggest this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
smurf - 2 Jun 2008 18:12
told you so !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
any1 - 23 May 2008 21:24
Avoid this pub! Despite the efforts of embarrassed bar staff, the landlord clearly doesn't welcome visitors and would prefer to maintain the beer cellar for his personal consumption. Try the 'Half Moon', 'Anchor' or 'Jovial Sailor' for a really enjoyable night out instead.
goodpint - 22 May 2008 11:24
I can only assume that the Landlord himself is posting the positive comments, as my personal experience of this pub is entirely negative. The landlord is a boorish a**hole, he is unhospitable and treats the pub as if it were his personal home rather than a "public" house. Give this pub a wide berth, there are plenty of far nicer pubs in Ripley.
Mop - 22 May 2008 10:04
nah, never even crossed my mind if i was honest!!!!!
any1 - 16 Mar 2008 21:42
I think you've just managed to offend 75% of the local population of Ripley!!!! Well done!!!! Ever wondered why you don't get on with them????
smurf - 14 Mar 2008 14:31
lived in village all my life and NEVER felt welcome in what is a lovely pub run by miserable tenants and cricket/rugby loving local interbreds!!!!!!!!
any1 - 12 Mar 2008 21:51
This is just a fantastic pub ! Harry and Lisa will always welocme you with a smile and a joke and the locals won't bite.
Ramblers with wet dogs are especially welcome on a Sunday. Best time is after 3 p.m. Why not ask for a bite to eat while you enjoy your Pint of 'T'
Just remember to CLOSE THE F*****G DOOR when you enter or leave.
pintoft - 5 Jan 2007 10:37
This pub is not at all against newcomers, as the comment below indicates. All i can think is that it wasn't actually the landlord you spoke too, or something had happened!!! With the Ripley Bonfire every year, and the Fete, Charity Cricket Matches and Fairs etc. which all attract newcomers to the area the Ship has always welcomed these people into the pub. Newcomers to the village often end up as locals in the Ship, saying that it was the most friendly one in the village!! DO NOT avoid the Ship - its nice to find a pub that still concentrates on old fashioned values and has not given in to being just food orientated.
anonymous - 5 Jul 2006 10:50
A lovely little village pub, where strangers are welcomed and not stared at!! No food, but the beer is in good condition, and the atmosphere cosy and friendly. Can be very busy at weekends. Excellent in winter with a very large open roaring fire, which is complimented by the stone flooring in one half of the bar, and the original beams. Dogs allowed in.
smurf - 14 May 2006 11:41
"We don't want newcomers".

Lovely Olde English pub, real ales, roaring fires - but, as the Landlord says "we don't want newcomers".

Nice pub, pathetic attitude.

Unless you live in Ripley, they don't welcome you - so go to The Jovial Sailor. The Sailor is not so nice, but the people who run it, and the people who go there aren't completely mindless idiots.

Avoid The Ship.
sixeyed - 26 Apr 2006 23:38

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