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9, Llandudno Rd, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL28 4TR
Tel: 01492 540198
A SHORT drive from Rhos on Sea's dinky harbour, with its bobbing boats behind the breakwater and colourful dinghies propped up against the sea wall, lies The Ship Inn.
Apart from its superb vantage point, the area is known for Llandrillo yn Rhos Parish Church and its 17th Century lych gate. Looks-outs in its tower, rebuilt in 1552, once scoured the seas for North African pirates.
And perhaps the most famous grave in the church- yard is that of Harold Lowe, the heroic officer on the Titanic in charge of the only lifeboat that returned to try and save the drowning passengers.
I called in to The Ship on a Tuesday afternoon not expecting much more than a bog standard bitter and a lacklustre cod in breadcrumbs.
To my surprise, though, loads of customers - mostly canny pensioners - were tucking into a mid-week carvery. The place, if not exactly rocking, was swaying happily.
Then, like Mr Benn, up popped the helpful head waitress, wearing efficient black and a welcoming smile.
Boosting the feelgood factor and profit margins at a stroke, she introduced the ‘cask ales' which included Directors and Wellingtons.
I always find bitter far more varied, flavoursome and less gassy than lager. Things were getting better and better and I went for a half of Directors.
After loading my plate with succulent roast turkey and tonnes of trimmings, I returned to my table. I was facing the windows and a view of creeper-clad tree trunks and sun-dappled picnic tables in the grassy beer garden.
Other customers shuffled in, near me. To my right, an elderly couple, the old fella with his high cheekbones and sleeked back white hair resembling actor Peter Cushing's older brother. He might have looked a bit like Grand Moff Tarkin from Star Wars, but he and his wife were soon guzzling surprisingly youthful drinks: bright- coloured raspberry J2Os.
To my left, there was a table of maybe two couples and a widower. Above the general hubbub, I couldn't help but hear them chatter about trailing plants, a £40 pub quiz prize and arthritis.
Among them, a Ballard Berkeley type also waxed enthusiastically about the merits of employing your own cleaner.
"I used to do it myself," he could be heard was saying, "but then thought ‘SodBlow that for a game of soldiers!' "
However, a somewhat stern-faced woman was horrified when he said one cleaner had cost £9 for two hours work.
good food lovely :)…
comment by rosemarieburgess - 06/11/2011 09:41
Brilliant carvery!,now under new managment and has had a facelift.Had a great Jazz night on Monday,and with the real ale on tap,really dont remember much about it!.Highly recommended!…
comment by Nick Werner - 30/10/2011 11:02
was shown to my table then ignored for 20 mins then served me carling when i asked for carlsberg, insisted i was gicen carlsberg when i queried it then when i got my bill it was for carling, they think i dont know the difference, when i was getting my carvery i wasnt allowed more than 1 small yourkshire pudding and only 1 tiny stuffing ball, got a stroppy answer no when i asked if i could have more, i have alwasy recommended this place but will never return to here again, and they have lost my familys custom too, …
comment by Rhys - 17/09/2011 10:14
My husband and myself have visited this pub three or four times and have always enjoyed a good meal in friendly surroundings. Unfortunatly we visited the last week of july to be greeted by a group of drunken youths, one of whom was urinating in the garden, and another throwing up. The bar staff thought it was highly amusing and kept going out to see what was going on, leaving nobody to serve. We were going to order a meal, but decided to go elsewhere. (very disappointing) we wont be using the pub again, as probably a few others wont.…
comment by h.rippard - 08/08/2011 01:06
7/10 ok food …
comment by ryan - 10/07/2011 10:54
food excellent, service poor waited for half an hour almost for sweet menu ,not many in ! too many staff n no one doing anything !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…
comment by max - 18/06/2011 09:15
we had a meal on the 18 january i would not recommend you eat there the food was cold and over cooked. we have been many times but will not be going again.…
comment by jean johnstone - 31/01/2011 11:43
Great food, Great service, shame they didnt have any cabbage last time I went in there for a carvery, 10/10 tho …
comment by Rhys - 29/01/2009 09:05