The Ship York Public House, Rotherhithe, London. ‘A country pub in town’  

 

The present building looks as though it dates to the 1930s but the site was home to a former pub with the same name.  In his "Maritime Rotherhithe History Walks" book Stuart Rankin says that a pub with this name in Rotherhithe is first recorded as The York in 1809, and may have been named after HMS York launched by S and D Brent in 1807, although the “ship” was not added to the pub title until 1835. As Rankin points out, by this time the York was in use as a convict ship and it seems a little odd to name a pub after a floating prison. Rankin speculates that perhaps the landlord had served aboard in happier times. Earlier the addresses for the pub include Lower York Street, Swingbridge Road between 1881 and at least 1899, at 2a Elgar Street by 1910, and finally at Redriff  Road by 1944.

The pub has been owned and managed by the same family for 37 years.  There has been a pub on this site since the 1600s, when Rotherhithe was in the midst of its historical shipping heyday.  Ships came in here with goods from all over the World, most notably whalers from Russia and Scandinavia and carrying timber. The Surrey Docks survived until the 1970s, when inevitable progress saw them sadly close for good. The Surrey Docks area has been reinvigorated and is rich in history and nature walks. Just across the road from the pub you can find, a woodland walk and the River Thames walkway up to Tower Bridge and beyond.

Dussell and Lorraine are proud to welcome you to their country pub in its urban setting with its characteristic, cosy free house with comfortable seating, coal fire in winter, pool table and very well stocked and meticulously kept bar

The immaculately kept, charming friendly local boasts three well kept ales, sumptuous wholesome food & a very welcoming local clientele.

Our little gem is definitely one to visit for a delicious home cooked weekday lunch or evening meal (no food at weekends) and to enjoy very reasonably priced drinks either in the cosy bar or sitting outside in the sunshine!

Alternatively, just drop in for a coffee and a sandwich.

The Ship York is a ten minute walk from Canada Water and Surrey Quays Tube Station on the Jubilee and London Overground Lines, or five minutes on a 381 or C10 bus (towards Waterloo/London Bridge), five minutes from the Surrey Docks Farm, Greenland Pier for the ThamesClippers River Bus Service, Hilton Docklands Riverside and Surrey Quays cinema, Bowling and Shopping Centre. Visit soon for an enjoyable afternoon or evening and come and meet Duss, Lorraine and the staff.