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Ship Inn, Porlock (Top Ship)

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High Street, Porlock, TA24 8QD (View on Google Map)
(01643) 862507
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  • Historic Interior

Known locally as the "Top Ship" with the bar being a real gem with flagstone floor, open fire and settle seating. It has changed little since featuring in R.D.Blackmore's novel Lorna Doone and is Grade 2 listed The pub dates from the 13th century and sits at the bottom of the notorious Porlock Hill that takes you up to Exmoor. Upto eight ales and a local cider are available depending on time of week and good food can be enjoyed in its restaurant or delightful three tiered garden in summer. The landlord also runs the Bottom Ship Inn at Porlock Weir.

Somerset CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2025. In Guide for 16 years.

There is a local bus service Mon-Sat (not bank holidays) from Minehead and continues to Porlock Weir. There is also the Exmoor Coaster bus service daily from Blue Anchor to Lynmouth vis Minehead.

Historic Interest

13th century

Information for this venue is provided by the Somerset Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
West Somerset District
Last updated
23/02/2025
Last surveyed
23/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
TAU/252
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: II

A 16th/17th-century thatched inn enlarged in the early/mid-19th century. It is called 'Top Ship' to avoid confusion with the Ship at Porlock Wier, nearer the coast. The ‘must see’ here is the tiny original boarded bar left of the entrance which has a red and black quarry-tiled floor, basic bench seating attached to old panelling on the wall, an old stone fireplace in one corner with a log burner and just a couple of tables, The counter was brought from a bank some 60 years ago (hence the height); mounted on it is a rare set of four handpumps on a pewter base. The bar-back shelves are probably less old than the rest of the fittings. Two further rooms to the right have been knocked into one and have some old dado panelling and benches. A rear bar and restaurant have been added in recent years and there is also a function room and a games room.

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Monday
8:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
8:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
8:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday
8:30am - 11:00pm
Friday
8:30am - 11:30pm
Saturday
8:30am - 11:30pm
Sunday
8:30am - 11:00pm
Monday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Thursday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Friday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Sunday
9:00am - 10:30am & Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 8:30pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 6 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Exmoor - Ale TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Exmoor Ales Exmoor Ale Pump Clip - large
Exmoor - Ale Session Bitter • 3.8% Spotted twice.
Exmoor Ales Exmoor Ale Pump Clip - large
Exmoor - Ale

This beer is served regularly and Spotted twice. at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 3.8%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Exmoor - Beast TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Exmoor - Beast
Exmoor - Beast Strong Ale • 6.6% Spotted 3 times.
Exmoor - Beast
Bronze Award
Exmoor - Beast

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 3 times. at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 6.6%
Dispense Handpump
Style Strong Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Otter - Ale TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Otter Ale Pump Clip
Otter - Ale Premium Bitter • 4.5%
Otter Ale Pump Clip
Otter - Ale

This beer is served regularly at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 4.5%
Dispense Handpump
Style Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Otter - Amber TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Otter Amber Pump Clip
Otter - Amber Session Bitter • 4% Spotted once.
Otter Amber Pump Clip
Otter - Amber

This beer is served regularly and Spotted once. at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

St Austell - Proper Job TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
St Austell Proper Job Pump Clip-2
St Austell - Proper Job Premium Pale Ale • 4.5% Spotted 3 times.
St Austell Proper Job Pump Clip-2
St Austell - Proper Job

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 3 times. at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 4.5%
Dispense Handpump
Style Premium Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

St Austell - Tribute TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
St Austell Tribute Pump Clip
St Austell - Tribute Session Pale Ale • 4.2%
St Austell Tribute Pump Clip
St Austell - Tribute

This beer is served regularly at Ship Inn, Porlock.

ABV 4.2%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Quantock (varies)

Source: Regional

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Champion Beer Of Britain Award

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Children's play area
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Accommodation Accommodation
5 en-suite
Camping Camping
Events Events
Games Games
Skittle Alley, Table Skittles, Shove Ha'penny.
Real Fire Real Fire
Restaurant Restaurant
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Cider Real Cider
Cheddar Valley
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes
10, EXMO (Exmoor Coaster)

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