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Ship Inn, South Harting

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user reviews of the Ship Inn, South Harting

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

Made a stop here with two friends. We were cycling the South Downs Way. Had quite a few pints and a very good evening meal. Cliff the landlord, his staff & the locals were very friendly. Fine beer and Cliff let us pitch tents in the beer garden for a night - superb and thank you! Recommended
JLG - 31 May 2011 12:33
See the Fleurets web site Ref S-011476 this pub is not sold and still up for grabs. A dump and a half.
shadow_lbs - 4 Mar 2011 16:08
A year on, and after what I understand were some unfortunate problems with the kitchen, and an ensuing period of closure, the Ship is now back on the ball, with new licensee Cliff installed at the helm, and despite only having been there for a month, seemed to have eveyrthing in order - he gave the appearance of having been in situ for far longer in any case.

The ales were as plentiful and well-conditioned as before: my Palmers Copper really was some of the best I'd ever tasted of that tipple, and I overheard the Best getting similar plaudits. Ballards and Dark Star beers continue to feature.

Fortunately there appears to be no appetite for change, and the Ship will continue as a welcoming, earthy boozer that manages to attract a much broader set of punters that you might imagine. Best of luck with it in 2011 and beyond, folks.
TWG - 9 Feb 2011 17:46
Made my most recent visit to this pub this week after a few years' hiatus. Fortunately, nothing had changed, which is truly a blessing in this down-to-earth but still serviceable local. A range of four local ales were available as ever, and the quality was superb. I should say that when my Golden Bine came up cloudy, the landlady was all too keen to replace it, and although I said the flavour was acceptable she still furnished me with a new half free of charge. The Swift One and Palmers Copper were in fine fettle from the outset.
A convivial bunch of local chaps were guffawing away at the bar, and despite not being familiar to them or the staff, my friend and I were greeted very politely and were just as included in the general conversation as regulars.
I can't comment on the food, but my guess would be that it is simple, unpretentious fare, and that is exactly what the Ship should be doing. It is a far cry from the potted crabmeat and Thai fishcake outlets; in an environment such as this, we want "gravy", not "jus". But frankly I fail to see why the grub is necessary other than satisfy the incidental need for something solid to accompany one's beer. This is primarily a pub for drinking, and for this it should be celebrated.

TWG - 29 Jan 2010 13:02
I booked our walking group into the Ship for lunch as the reviews on BITE put it marginally ahead of the White Hart in the same village. First impression, lovely old pub with great staff and a roaring open fire. Slight downside two pints of Palmers came up slightly cloudy so the taste was not crisp and clean. Switched to a pint of the Swift One but not really to my likeing. The rest of the real ales on offer were perfect according to other members of the group. The food. Acceptable but not outstanding. My wife commented that her cauliflower cheese lacked a bit of flavour, 'watery she called it'. On the up side one of our party had a bumper ploughmans which he was more than happy with. Other comments were that the soup was a rather small portion. All in all a decent pub and in spite of my rather lack lustre review I would return again as the pub has a comfortable feel with just the right ambience. My rating a 7
John.T - 28 Dec 2009 12:34
Had a great pint of Dark Star Hophead here yesterday, then a swift half of Palmers Best. Both beers were served in tip-top condition and at just the right temperature. The ham, eggs & chips were just the ticket. This pub is an unpretentious and homely place to visit, well done The ship and thank you.
barryq - 1 Nov 2009 10:50
Visited 17/05/09. Excellent. Pretty much my idea of the perfect country pub. Nice village location. Two bars, saloon and public. Unpretentious rustic decor, beams, low ceilings but none of the horse-brass fakery you often get in old pubs. Good selection of local beers. Food was excellent, you could have traditional pub grub or more gourmet stuff. I had steak and kidney pie which at �8.95 seemed a little pricey but the portions were huge and included extra veg so there was no need for pudding. Welcome and service were first class, well done the management.
Hugh1971 - 17 May 2009 22:08
GREAT PUB! GREAT STAFF!
tufnellparka - 18 Jan 2007 15:09
Good choice of well kept beers. Ballards Wassail was on when I visited. A proper pub not spoiled by modernisation.
MarkM - 6 Mar 2006 14:17

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