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The Old Ship's website describes the place as 'ideally located between Ravenscourt Park, Stanford Brook and Hammersmith stations', when in fact it's mutually awkward to reach from any of those stops. That's part of the charm — you have to navigate the Great West Road and numerous back streets to reach the place. Consequently, queues at the bar are less of a problem than you might find downriver on Lower Mall.
We're half-way to Chiswick here, and this stalwart Young's pub — some 350 years old — is edging dangerously close to Fuller's territory. Yet it stands its ground well, overlooking the Thames as it curves around the finger of Barnes.
A recent refurb has left the ship even more shipshape than you may remember it. The glowing green bar wouldn't look out of place in a sophisticated cocktail joint, while the sofas and snugs are comfort personified.
Most punters, though, head upstairs to the glorious terrace with sweeping Thames views. If you can't find a seat here, plenty of tables surround the pub at ground level, some with shelter and heating.
This is a diners' pub, with an excellent kitchen and one of the smartest dining rooms we've seen in a chain pub. Consequently, you'll find more choice on the wine list than on the beer taps, but that's not to say you can't find a good pint among the familiar names.
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Last updated October 2018.
