London Pubs Group

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Ship

93 Main Road
Gidea Park
RM2 5EL

This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Local Inventory as having an interior of Local Historic Interest and the description is as follows: "Possibly of 17th century origin, the main part is of two-storeys and timber-framed with extensions to the east and rear. The exterior half timbering is not shown on photos taken in the early 1900s so was added, possibly in the inter-war period which looks the date of the brickwork.

From the front entrance a lobby has a door to the left with the figure ‘1’ on it and a door to the right with a figure ‘3’ on it. The main bar has a wood laminate floor, an old brick fireplace with a log fire on a new brick plinth, Sadly, there is a modern pine bar counter and the bar back is mostly modern with fittings added to an old partition wall with a leaded glass window; fridges take up the most of the lower shelving. There is a partition to the rear of the servery where steps down lead to a small room with a hatch for service, a modern fireplace and Artex walls from the 1960s.

An old (age?) partition on the right with a small window having a colourful stained glass panel in it, but on the right hand side it is, sadly, painted a gastro grey colour. The small bar on the right has an old bench but another modern pine bar counter and a modern brick fireplace. Exterior door on the right has the figure ‘2’ on the inside of it and leads to a lobby.

On the left a two-part room with upright timbers dividing it and two levels and wood laminate floor has a 1950s brick fireplace. The rear and far left walls have floor to ceiling fielded panelling with parts looking very old and a beamed ceiling. In 1950 there were structural alterations, a second large brick fireplace was uncovered, and two bay windows rebuilt due to dry rot. The listing description is as follows: "Possibly of C17 origin, but much altered. Main part of building is of 2 storeys timber-framed, with a central entrance and hipped old tile roof; single bay extension to east making a front of 4 bays with applied timber-framing across whole front. Two canted bay windows and 2 casements to ground floor, all modern, 4 modern casements to first floor. Various rear outshots and extensions including a wing of 2 storeys probably of C18 date."

The WhatPub link is here:

The Ship is yet to feature on a LPG pub tour.