The Ship Inn
About
Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travellers visiting Holy Island, The Ship Inn is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its charming environment and proximity to great restaurants and attractions, The Ship Inn makes it easy to enjoy the best of Holy Island.
The Ship Hotel is a charming inn offering a flat screen TV in the rooms, and it is easy to stay connected during your stay as free internet access is offered to guests.
Plus, guests can enjoy free breakfast, which has made this a popular choice among travellers visiting Holy Island.
While in Holy Island be sure to experience local oyster favourites at The Crown and Anchor Restaurant.
Holy Island is also home to Lindisfarne Castle, a popular castle that is not too far from The Ship Inn.
The Ship Hotel is sure to make your visit to Holy Island one worth remembering.
Location
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Overall, a great stay thanks to great hosts and a tidy Inn. Thank you



We were shown to our room which was generously sized with a very comfortable king sized bed and full bath with shower in the bathroom which is honestly bigger than my small bedroom at home. Fresh clean towels, mini soap and towelling robes are a lovely touch and much appreciated after a bath at the end of a long walk. Also provided is a great hospitality tray, a large tv and hairdryer in the dressing table.
With a wardrobe, drawers and dressing table this room provides plenty of storage for even a week's stay and the chaise was great for taking the weight off.
We enjoyed a very tasty and substantial breakfast every day, with something to suit everyone and nothing seems too much trouble for Paul or his team. Breakfast took us all the way to evening meal even with active days. We decided to set up a tab, which was very convenient and enjoyed great meals including veggie options, steak and fish as well as dessert. Both being gluten free wasn't an issue and whoever was in the kitchen was always happy to help.
Overall we had an amazing time and will definitely be back as soon as we can.

Terrible, absolutely terrible.
We arrived on the island during a film being made, we were not made aware that restaurants were fully booked weeks in advance
We tried to have a meal in the ship.
We managed to get a table when every other table had a reserved sign on, we were refused food.
I spoke to the manager (a very rude, abrupt man ) who eventually agreed to a plate of chips and some sliced bread to make chip butties.
They charged £11 for 8 Chunky chips and 3 Slices of bread with cheap margerine.
He literally threw them on the table.
We gave him the benefit of doubt due to the island being very busy and returned a few days later for a "holy island crab sandwich" @ £15 × 2, it was not crab as we know it, more like Princes Shippams crab paste, terrible.
Avoid
Both the room and bathroom were immaculately tidy and appeared to have been recently modernised. There was a good view over the lovely beer garden which was lovely to sit in, in the early evening with a beer (the Wagtail went down very well) and enjoy the family of almost tame sparrows nesting somewhere nearby whoosh across the garden. There was a kettle in the room but no complimentary tea or coffee however that was quickly put right once pointed out.
Everyone on the dig (it was our first time) said how good the food was at the Ship and it truly was. In fact we ate there each of the seven nights we stayed on the island working our way through the menu... The steak and ale pie I had twice and was fantastic. The (fresh, not frozen) fish and chips were great too and my only small criticism was that the fish was perhaps fried just a bit too long for my liking. The starters were lovely too especially the chicken pakora.
As the portions are quite large I only had a small breakfast (keeping the ‘full Northumbrian’ for the last day in advance of a six hour drive back to London. They clearly have a good chef.
We also discovered that the Ship distills its own gin and I was quickly hooked on the Sea Pink. I was a bit dismayed to find they had sold out when I tried to buy a bottle to bring home but Paul (who along with the other members of staff was helpful and attentive to us throughout the stay despite the added pressures of Covid on the Ship) told me there were a few bottles left for sale in the ice cream shop (!) just up the road so I did managed to get one to bring home.
We really enjoyed our time at the Ship and have already booked another week in Room 3 for next year’s dig in 2021.
The menu was rather limited and there’s a definite greasy smell pervading the place due to most items being fried. Not the best cooking. Fish overcooked so dry and hard in places, top batter crunchy and soggy underneath. Dining area looked basic and ‘dirty old pub-y’
Easy ambience in the evening and I was left alone to read my book comfortably. Not great - not terrible but wouldn’t eat there again probably.
"Be patient with the bar staff, it's very busy at times. Definitely book dinner because he was fully booked that evening. "Read full review
"I contacted Paul in advance about parking as we wanted to park before check in. Received a quick reply and we were able to park right outside the pub on arrival."Read full review
"Parking is in the street outside, but it is free. The stairs to the rooms are steep so watch out for that. Wifi works well"Read full review
"Book in advance for evening meals - I think it helps everyone and avoids disappointment. "Read full review
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