Once a haunt of smugglers, The Ship Inn isn't just a great place to eat, drink, relax and get away from it all – we like to think it's also part of a great story.
Now a quiet, idyllic village, surrounded by nature reserves, heathland and beach, only the romantic ruins of Dunwich monastery remain to hint at the fate of this once thriving medieval port, claimed by the waves during a terrible storm. It's said you can still hear the peal of the church bells beneath the waves, while we can't guarantee that, there are certain, more earthly things we're always happy to provide. Real ales, real food and a real fire. Comfortable, traditionally furnished rooms, some with views across the sea or marshes. An enormous garden, dotted with fruit trees (including our 300 year old fig tree) and a beach that really is just a couple of minutes walk away.
Whether you want to use it as a base to explore this wild and wonderful coastline, enjoy some of the best fish and chips on the coast or simply indulge in a pint or two of Adnams, The Ship Inn extends the warmest of welcomes.
Eat/Drink
Once you've enjoyed a drink in the bar - or, for that matter, in our lovely conservatory or covered courtyard - chances are your tastebuds will be tingling. All our food is
home-made, reasonably priced and traditional in flavour.
Colin, our chef, has been at The Ship for 17 years now, and is justly famous for his fish and chips - but there's plenty more to enjoy on The Ship's menu: steak and ale pie, lamb, pea and mint casserole, bread and butter pudding, chocolate roly poly and much more which are all accompanied by good wines at sensible prices, or proper beers and ales - including Adnams and a range of guest ales.
That's what we stand for - good, honest, top quality fare. Choose to eat in the bar, the conservatory, our lovely garden or, in the evening, the dining room with its scrubbed pine tables and sisal matting.
Stay
What could be better after a long coastal walk and a satisfying home-cooked dinner than a great night's sleep in a really comfortable bed, lulled to sleep by the sounds of the sea?
The Ship has ten recently refurbished, comfortable rooms - six at the inn itself and four in converted barns - all with their own ensuite facilities, and some with marsh and sea views (two are with separate adjoining rooms offering ideal family accommodation).
Some of the bedrooms are newly converted , but all maintain the character of The Ship, featuring traditional furniture, including good, old-fashioned iron bedsteads with fully sprung mattresses and feather pillows and duvets. In every room you'll also find tea and coffee facilities, televisions and Pecksniff toiletries. There are no phones in the bedrooms, but we do have good mobile signals
(we won't let on if you want to pretend otherwise, though!)
We also happily welcome children and dogs...
For more local information, please see:
Dunwich Guide
Saxmundham Town Guide
Eating Out in Saxmundham Guide
Attractions in Saxmundham Guide
Activities in Saxmundham Guide
Southwold Town Guide
Eating Out in Southwold Guide
Attractions in Southwold Guide
Shopping in Southwold Guide
