The Ship Inn is steeped in history

The Ship Inn Redbridge is a grade 2 listed building and is one of the oldest pubs in Southampton dating back to 1654. Aptly named the Ship Inn, the pub is made from parts of a ship and underneath the pub are the remains of smuggler tunnels, as in those days the pub would have backed on to the old quayside.

A number of Kings of England including Charles I, made use of its food and beverages, as well as spending the night there and royalty regularly enjoy the salmon-fishing on the nearby River Test.

The pub is now run by Alison, since 2008, and locals describe it as a ‘Home from Home.’ The pub is a great venue for company, with a beer garden and good food. Milli (Alison’s Daughter) is a Sotonian and said that ‘the pub is like a family; I have been coming here since I was a child and the place is warm and welcoming. We have lots of locals who come and have conversations, they are part of the furniture.’

Locals also enjoy the rich heritage of the building and find the history of the surrounding area fascinating. Locals mentioned the Redbridge railway works, who made track points and crossings for whole British rail network, as well as the canal tunnel under the City. People said that the History of the pub was important to them and that is why they liked the pub so much.

Milli says that ‘Pubs are very important in society and great way for people socialise’, so the pub often hosts a variety of functions and is a very busy family pub, with value for money, amazing Sunday roasts with big portion sizes, as one regular often jokes; ‘you will have to push me out in wheel barrel.’

Visiting The Ship Inn

The Ship Inn offers convenient on-site parking for visitors.

The outdoor seating area features accessible tables and benches with wheelchair access at the ends. Entry is facilitated by a flat entrance with a small lip, and a ramp is available if needed. Inside, there is ample space to maneuver among movable tables and chairs, and the staff are friendly and always ready to assist.

There is a relaxed atmosphere with low background music and a menu featuring vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Staff ensure a pleasant experience for all Patrons

Key Considerations:
Parking: While on-site parking is a positive, there is a lack of designated blue badge bays.
Entrance: While there is a flat entrance, there is a “small lip”, but you can ask for a ramp.
Internal Access: There is some “uneven flooring” but plenty of room.
Lighting: There is quite a low light level.
Toilets: Due to the historic nature of the building Toilet facilities are not the most up to date.
Menus: Ask for a larger print Menu