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The Ship at Dunwich

East Anglia Suffolk Dunwich

From £175 a night
16 Guest Rooms
Pub with Rooms

The food, rooms and peaceful location of this terrific pub keep its many fans coming back again and again.

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Part of the Chestnut collection of inns, which has taken over and renovated a number of properties across East Anglia, the Ship at Dunwich is a terrific place to come for a lazy weekend by the sea – a cosy boutique pub that serves excellent food and has a set of updated rooms for overnight stays. By any standards it’s a great location – assuming, that is, you’re after the pristine peace and quiet that Dunwich has to offer. Once medieval England’s largest port but now a tiny village of less than 100 people, gathered around a medieval parish church and monastic ruins, a shingle beach and its legendary fish and chip shop. it's well worth a detour off the nearby A12. It’s on the Suffolk Coast Path, which you can follow south to Sizewell and Aldeburgh, north to Walberswick and Southwold, or inland to the popular RSPB reserve at Minsmere. It’s also within easy driving distance of any number of pretty villages, country pubs, medieval churches and bustling small towns, both by the sea and inland.

The Ship has 16 rooms, 11 in the main building and 5 in a converted stable block outside. Divided between ‘Good’, ‘Best’ and ‘Marsh View’, they vary quite a lot in size, with the stable block rooms the smallest and those in the pub itself all sorts of shapes and sizes. But all of them have been spruced up with some style, with well-chosen furniture, a bright colour palette and generously-sized beds, good wifi, flatscreen Freeview TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities and complimentary water and biscuits; dogs are also welcome in some rooms. Most of the bathrooms have baths and showers combined and are provided with White Company toiletries.

Downstairs, the main part of the pub consists of several rooms – two at the front furnished with stripped-down floors and tables, and a cosy saloon bar behind. They serve a short, deliberately pubby menu that changes regularly but always features good fish and chips, fish pie, a burger and some sort of homemade pie; the homemade black pudding Scotch eggs are a favourite starter, while other starters and main courses could be anything from Cromer crab to Blythburgh pork. Sundays see a couple of roast options added.

Like so many places on this stretch of the Suffolk Coast, Dunwich has an end-of-the-road feel that is thoroughly seductive, but the sad fact is that there will never be enough locals here for the pub to keep going. Luckily for us, its peaceful location, good food and comfy rooms keep its many fans coming back again and again.

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Suitable For

Miles of coastline and heath provide excellent furry friend adventures.

Splashing, scampering and then back for a snooze and supper in the bar.

We have a special menu that caters for our four legged guests. Happy Dingley Dell free range pigs make delicious sausages and delicious sausages make very happy dogs, just add a portion to your order.

For those who have time to stay a while, all our rooms are dog friendly.

Nearby

Bright, characterful bedrooms with every home comfort are available to those who have time to stay over.

Waking up on the East Coast, watching the sunrise over the water is special, whatever the season and whatever the weather.

The Ship offers 16 en suite rooms, many with marsh and big sky views.

Food & Drink

Our food ethos is simple

Good food, locally sourced, skilfully cooked and thoughtfully served. Ingredients from our land and sea make up our seasonal menu. Tradition pub favourites with a sprinkling of something different for the intrepid foodie.

Locals and visitors alike feel at home in our atmospheric bar, the snug dining room or the light filled conservatory. In warm weather a sunny terrace and ample beer garden add al fresco dining.

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

Double rooms from £175 a night, including breakfast.

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The Owner Says

Imagine the perfect coastal pub. A stroll from the beach, open log fires in winter, light and airy in summer with sheltered sun traps outside in Autumn and Spring to enjoy off season sunshine. Paired with simple, beautifully cooked food - of the season and of the place, all washed down with a pint of beer or a glass of pinot.

The Ship at Dunwich looks and feels just as a great coastal pub should.

Location

Contact Website 01728 648 219 The Ship at Dunwich, St James Street, Dunwich, Suffolk IP17 3DT

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Getting There

BY CAR

From the A12 (coming from a northerly direction), turn off at Blythburgh onto the B1125, then take the first left. This leads straight into the village, and The Ship is at the end of the road (stop when you reach the Ship or you'll end up in the sea). Alternatively, if you're coming from the south, you can turn off the A12 towards Westleton, then continue through Westleton village and then turn right towards Dunwich. In the village, turn left a short way to find us..

There is a car park with plenty of spaces for guests to use.

BY TRAIN

The nearest local train station is Darsham, approximately 5 miles from The Ship Inn. On leaving the station turn left down the hill and take the first turning on the right, follow the road into Westleton village, then continue on to Dunwich as described above in 'By car'

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Reviews

Let us know what you think of your stay.

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Rated ★★★★★ over 6 reviews

★★★★★

Wonderful stay

My husband and I stayed for 2 nights in the Kings Holme room. We dined in the bar area on the first night and ate out in Aldeburgh on the second night. I really can't fault the room or the restaurant. The staff were all extremely friendly and helpful. The food was excellent. The room was clean and warm and well equipped. Breakfast was delicious and well presented and came out very quickly. The pub and restaurant interior is cosy and well-designed. We didn't bring our dog but could have done as it is a dog-friendly pub. We will recommend and will be back for sure. Also, Dunwich, Walberswick and Southwold are truly wonderful. Unspoilt and steeped in history.

Oct 10, 2023 by Scwelshy

★★★★★

Beautiful location and very, very comfortable. Peaceful and good food

The location was beautiful - near the sea and some lovely walks. The menu was excellent for dinner so we didn't have to travel to eat. Breakfast was also brilliant - with a great choice of breakfast menu. It was in easy reach of Dunwich Heath and MInsmere and we even saw the elusive Dartford Warbler AND a Bittern.

Sep 28, 2023 by Alan

★★★★★

A lovely hotel in a beautiful location, run by wonderfully friendly and helpful staff

We’ve just returned from a wonderful 3-night stay at the Ship. A great combination of a lovely pub and very comfortable accommodation. The staff absolutely made it by all being incredibly friendly and helpful, including suggesting walks. Nothing was too much trouble. A large breakfast menu gave us plenty of choice. Slightly larger dinner menu would have given us a bit more choice over the 3 nights, but what we had was delicious and top quality. Fish and chips were wonderful! A lovely hotel in a beautiful location. Thank you.

Sep 23, 2023 by Vanilli

★★★★★

Exceptional

This place is heaven for people with dogs. Wonderful comfy dog bed treats and food/water bowl. Beach just down the road and forest walks too. Also just such a lovely friendly place even if you are dogless! Can't wait to visit again.

Jul 27, 2023 by Helen

★★★★★

Loved the hotel and location

Came here for a one-night stay as recommended by a local, and it lived up to expectation. For what it is, a hotel above a pub (and a very very nice one at that), it was perfect for us. The staff were lovely and friendly, the room was clean and comfortable and the breakfast was tasty. The location is in a sleepy town with the beach a few minutes away and the most lovely walks either on the beach or through the woods. Would definitely return.

May 20, 2023 by Amelia

★★★★★

Set voyage to The Ship, Dunwich

A wonderful two-night break with friends. The Ship has a wonderful drinks selection and wine list fairly priced. The food was exceptional from breakfast through lunch to evening meal. Service 10/10. Well done all staff. The room was well served and the bed super comfortable. Bathroom very good and beautifully decorated throughout. If you fancy a simply relaxing and comfy break, highly recommend The Ship, Dunwich. The perfect place to explore the sleepy wonders of rural and coastal Suffolk! Thanks to all for the service received.

Feb 3, 2023 by Mark G