The Old Ship Inn

Walk into The Old Ship and you're stepping into the kind of place that's been propping up High Street for years—the sort where regulars know the bar staff's names and tourists are welcomed without fuss. It's got that lived-in warmth you want from a pub: dark wood, real character, the hum of actual conversation rather than forced bonhomie. The drinks list takes itself seriously (real ales, proper spirits), and the food is straightforward enough—good sandwiches, pies, the sort of thing that pairs well with a pint. With 825 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, people keep coming back, which tells you something about consistency. It's the kind of place you'd genuinely want to meet a mate for a drink without feeling you're performing tourism.