Quick info
About The Ship Inn
The Ship Inn is a pub on High St in Swanage, overlooking Swanage Bay. Live music is a regular feature, and the pub hosts nights during the town's blues, folk and jazz festivals. The kitchen cooks to order and sources produce from Purbeck wherever possible, with seasonal specials added through the year. The menu includes Japanese chicken skewers, steak with garlic butter sauce and mussels. The bar keeps a rotating range of real ales, many from the local area, alongside lagers, beers and ciders. An upper bar area has tables and views outside. Walk-ins are accommodated without a reservation, even when the pub is busy, and dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steak with garlic butter, japanese fried chicken, halloumi burger and sunday roast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention steak with garlic butter, japanese fried chicken, halloumi burger and sunday roast.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with the steak the standout, described as cooked rare with a garlic butter sauce and "not one part wasted." Close behind are the Japanese fried chicken, which two diners order, along with a halloumi burger, a hot dog, a Sunday roast of rolled chicken breast with unlimited gravy, and mussels that prompted food envy at a neighbouring table. Diners also mention quick service even when busy, friendly bar staff, a good selection of beer and cider, and views from the outside seating. Several say the portions and bill felt good for the quality, and a few note the pub welcomed them without a reservation when nearby places were full or closed. The one critical review is about the chips, described as very thin tubes cut in half lengthways with no substance, though that reviewer still found the staff pleasant. One birthday request ended with the staff bringing a candle.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with the steak the standout, described as cooked rare with a garlic butter sauce and "not one part wasted." Close behind are the Japanese fried chicken, which two diners order, along with a halloumi burger, a hot dog, a Sunday roast of rolled chicken breast with unlimited gravy, and mussels that prompted food envy at a neighbouring table. Diners also mention quick service even when busy, friendly bar staff, a good selection of beer and cider, and views from the outside seating. Several say the portions and bill felt good for the quality, and a few note the pub welcomed them without a reservation when nearby places were full or closed. The one critical review is about the chips, described as very thin tubes cut in half lengthways with no substance, though that reviewer still found the staff pleasant. One birthday request ended with the staff bringing a candle.
Featured reviews
- louise knowles
“Came on a super hot day for food, being in the industry myself I always feel guilty eating out :/ we came in with quite a big group as we’ve been in Dorset on holiday. The food was amazing. Came super quick and the two lads behind the bar were amazing and friendly despite the weather they still gave really good service. Nice to see some dogs too as not many places where I live are dog friendly! Thank you to the chef and the staff there :)”
- Jo Henderson
“We went to the ship inn for dinner and were very pleased with the food and service received. The staff were great and the food was amazing. I had the Japanese fried chicken and my husband had a hot dog. Couldn't fault it and would happily go back to try something else on the menu. I got food envy seeing the mussels being bought out for another table 🤣”
- Hannah N
“Three of us visited late afternoon on a Saturday in the hope of a table and food.. whilst busy both in and outside, we were accommodated. Glorious steak cooked perfectly rare with garlic butter sauce that was quite frankly, out of this world! Both other dishes were very well received, Japanese chicken skewer and halloumi burger. Pleasant atmosphere with families and couples alike. Attentive staff and good prices for the quality and quantity of food. Great selection of beer and cider too. Could’ve stayed into the evening! Thanks all for satisfying a ‘difficult to please’ customer!!”
- Ellen Morton
“Not impressed with food. They describe the chips as rustic- I'd not describe them as chips at all. Hard to describe but imagine thin tubes cut in half lengthways and that's what they call chips. Very thin with no substance. On the plus side the staff were very pleasant but we won't be going back.”
- Agnieszka Sliwinska
“Great pub with beautiful views outside. Lovely atmosphere, friendly service, and a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Highly recommend visiting!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“THE SHIP INN is located in the very centre of Swanage opposite the square overlooking Swanage Bay. It serves wholesome, satisfying food every day from lunch through to evening, and all our produce is, wherever possible, Purbeck-sourced and fresh cooked to order, with seasonal specials throughout the year. We have an ever-rotating range of real ales, many from the local area, as well as a wide range of lagers, beers and ciders. The pub is always at the heart of the action, whether it be the blues festivals, the folk festival, the jazz festival or carnival week. With live music pretty much every weekend, it's always a lively nightspot and it has outdoor seating for warmer evenings.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
- Happy hour drinks
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Offerings· 7
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 1
- Parking
Location
Bars near The Ship Inn
- Black Swan Inn4.61,2490.3 mi£20–30ReservationsOutdoor seating
french head chef, daily specials board, pork shank
- Jolly Sailor4.21,4997.3 mi away
fish and chips, outdoor quayside seating, cask ale and drinks selection
- The Portsmouth Hoy4.67567.3 mi awayWheelchair accessible
crab sandwich, board games, live music
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ship InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.21,451 | — | £20–30 | steak with garlic butter, japanese fried chicken, halloumi burger |
| Black Swan InnReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.61,249 | 0.3 mi | £20–30 | french head chef, daily specials board, pork shank |
| Jolly Sailor | 4.21,499 | 7.3 mi away | — | fish and chips, outdoor quayside seating, cask ale and drinks selection |
| The Portsmouth HoyWheelchair accessible | 4.6756 | 7.3 mi away | — | crab sandwich, board games, live music |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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