THE SHIP INN, ALDBOROUGH

It was a shock to hear that there had been a serious fire at The Ship Inn, Aldborough, last autumn and that the pub had shut indefinitely. I have something of a soft spot for the place as I lived in the village for a few years, and this was my local, and I have made many visits back since I moved away. What I loved was that the place never changed. Landlords came and went, but the locals and I loved this proper old pub and to think it may never open again was sad.

But, I am happy to report that it has reopened. Nothing, it seems, has changed; well, maybe there’s a coat of fresh paint everywhere and extensive outdoor seating. However, the cosy bar with its massive fireplace, beams and flag floors, and the restaurant at the back look unaltered. On a Monday evening, the place is packed, and from the incessant banter between those around the bar, the locals seem to support the business in droves and are happy that their pub has survived.

The small bar does not have an extensive range of hand-pulled beers, but there’s enough with Theakston’s Lightfoot, Best Bitter, which pretty much is a regular and then there’s Amstel lager and an array of standard pumps and a well-stocked bar for everything else.

The Ship has a strong emphasis on food which can be eaten in the bar or the restaurant. There’s an extensive menu including a range of excellent pub classics, and they now also serve homemade pizza.

It’s great to have you back.

■ The Ship Inn, Low Road, Aldborough, YO51 9ER Tel: 01423 322749.