4 days Ago
My mother, sister and I were walking the Cleveland Way, and while still a few of miles out of Saltburn – our designated finishing point for the day – the storm clouds started massing out to sea. Tired and footsore, we hurried along the cliff tops as best we could as the thunder and lightning moved ever closer. It was a race we lost with still about half a mile to go.
The storm was directly overhead as we fair-sprinted for safety, wind gusting and rain lashing down in torrents. A final, terrifying thunderclap with almost simultaneous lighting chased us down the slippery steps and through the door of The Ship. The staff barely flinched at our drowned, gasping appearance as we dripped all over their floor, ushering us in to get changed and making sure we were fed and watered.
It could have been that glad-to-be-alive-so-everything-tastes-amazing feeling, but the memory of the wonderful fish and chips we had for tea that night remains strong. Fast forward to 2025, and inside The Ship is now almost unrecognisable. After a takeover by Greene King, it underwent a revamp and reopened in the summer of 2023 complete with outside bar and new fish and chip shop.
Inside, gone is the dark wood and horse brass, replaced with tropical patterned wallpaper and quirky furniture. My sister Claire, who works nearby, has enjoyed drinks with her workmates in the summer at the new outside seating, and with such spectacular sea views, it's no wonder that it is so often busy. There were not so many takers on the outdoor facilities on a recent Friday evening when Claire and I met for tea.
After a week of warm sunshine, a March chill and stiff sea breeze had descended, and we were pleased to be seated in a cosy corner. It was just a shame that the big bay window in front of us looked directly onto the outside bar, rather than the sea. The menu offers various small plates, and a good selection of pub classic-style mains, burgers, pies and steaks.
To start, Claire and I ordered a sharing portion of nachos (£9.79). They came topped with "nacho cheese sauce" – sort of liquid, plasticky cheese – cheddar, salsa and soured cream, but we could find no evidence of the mozzarella also mentioned on the menu.
Maybe we didn't look hard enough. The portion size was just right for two people, and the salsa had a good heat. I had resisted the temptation to order a pie for my main – despite the menu's boast that the beef and ale pie (£11.
99) was a winner at the National Pie Awards. Instead I fancied a steak. There was no 8oz sirloin available (£17.
99) so the only other choice was 8oz rump (£15.99). Claire chose the chicken shawarma flatbread (£10.
29). The steak was tender and flavoursome, but probably closer to well-done than the medium I had asked for. Sadly, the chips had little taste, and the grilled tomato was so lightly cooked as to be almost raw.
Claire's shawarma included garlic and rosemary mayo, lettuce and tomato, and was drizzled in chipotle mayo. It was a light dish, and the chipotle mayo added some welcome flavour, but overall the dish was a little sad. With two drinks each – including a pint of lager shandy that cost £6.
20 – the overall bill came to £57.81. The service throughout was good – friendly and professional.
When the queuing system at the bar for food and drinks orders got a little confused, the staff member spotted Claire had been waiting longer than some newcomers and made sure she got served. For visitors bringing a car and hoping to park at The Ship, it's worth knowing that to avoid a fine, vehicle registration numbers need to be entered on a tablet by the bar. We had parked at Cat Nab and walked along, so didn't have to worry on that front, but we were disappointed by our meal.
Perhaps we caught it on a bad evening – indeed, reviews on the likes of TripAdvisor and Google suggest food experiences are mixed. The pub was busy with Friday night diners and drinkers as we left – thankfully all in better shape than we had been back in our Cleveland Way walking days. Its staff are clearly an asset, and The Ship will no doubt thrive due to its wonderful location and outside bar.
Recommended eating: The Ship, Saltburn Road, Saltburn, TS12 1HF 01287 550625 www.greeneking.co.
uk/pubs/north-yorkshire/ship-inn Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 6 Surroundings 7 Service 8 Value for money 6.
