This pub is recorded as the oldest pub in Caister and was originally two cottages built in 1815. Close to the beach and Lifeboat Station (Caister boasts the only privately funded volunteer rescue service with a full sized boat). Recently refurbished and under new ownership Dec 2023. Contact the pub for food service times.
Historic Interest
Originally a beerhouse dated about 1815, the present premises was built by Lacons in 1905.
Built 1815 as a beer house, it was purchased by Lacons in 1905 and full licence obtained in 1957. Lacons carried out an extension and renovation in 1956-8. The brick and flint extension on the front left of the building houses a completely panelled room with pebble and brick fireplace. Apart from the painting of most of the panelling in a cream colour and removal of the ladies toilet in one corner it is little changed. On the wall there is a large photo of the drifter Paradox II built in 1910 for Walter Heylett. The Heylett family ran the Ship from 1912 to 1977. Through the wide doorway lies the servery with a bar counter from 1958 but the bar back fitting looks more modern. A small piece of wall was removed c.1987 joining the lounge and the rest of the pub.
On the right is another 1958 bar counter - note the super structure added in the 1960s with both Lacon's falcon and Whitbread's hind symbols - prior to being taken over in 1965 Lacons were under the Whitbread umbrella. In the rear section of the right hand bar is another large photo - it is of the drifter Paradox built 1884 for Walter Haylett. The fixed seating, chairs, tables and unusual setting around a post all date from 1958. A small family room on the right is no longer in public use.
Built 1815 as a beer house, it was purchased by Lacons in 1905 and full licence obtained in 1957. Lacons carried out an extension and renovation in 1956-8. The brick and flint extension on the front left of the building houses a completely panelled room with pebble and brick fireplace. Apart from the painting of most of the panelling in a cream colour and removal of the ladies toilet in one corner it is little changed. On the wall there is a large photo of the drifter Paradox II built in 1910 for Walter Heylett. The Heylett family ran the Ship from 1912 to 1977. Through the wide doorway lies the servery with a bar counter from 1958 but the bar back fitting looks more modern. A small piece of wall was removed c.1987 joining the lounge and the rest of the pub.
On the right is another 1958 bar counter - note the super structure added in the 1960s with both Lacon's falcon and Whitbread's hind symbols - prior to being taken over in 1965 Lacons were under the Whitbread umbrella. In the rear section of the right hand bar is another large photo - it is of the drifter Paradox built 1884 for Walter Haylett. The fixed seating, chairs, tables and unusual setting around a post all date from 1958. A small family room on the right is no longer in public use.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer (guest or seasonal beers) and 0 regular beers.
Ship Inn, Caister-on-Sea
Source: National