The Old Ship free house, the whitewashed 17th-century pub in Cadmore End, with its painted sign, under a blue sky

Welcome to

The Old Ship

Serving Cadmore End since 1637

A proper village free house in the Buckinghamshire hills.

Bar open lunch and evening Kitchen 12–2:30pm, every day
Call to Book · 01494 883799 Get Directions
Brand-new car park Dog friendly Step-free access Large garden

Est. 1637

Our Story

A snug corner of The Old Ship: a low beam painted 'Duck or Grouse', a cushioned window seat looking onto the garden, and a worn oak table set for a chat

Tucked just off the Marlow Road in the village of Cadmore End, The Old Ship is the sort of pub England does best: low beams, a warm welcome and no airs about it. There's been an inn on this spot since 1637, which means beer has been poured here for the best part of four centuries.

For generations it was the heart of the village, and after a long spell with its doors closed, it's open once more, back to doing what it always did well: honest food, well-kept ale and good company.

As a free house, we answer to no brewery. The beers on our pumps are there because they're good, not because we're told to pour them. Most come from breweries right on our doorstep.

From the daily board

Food

No fixed menu, and that's the point.

Every morning we chalk up the day's board, cooked from the freshest ingredients we can get our hands on.

Kitchen hours

Food served every day, 12–2:30pm

The bar stays open into the evening, but the kitchen is lunchtime only.

Freshly made sandwiches

Usually on

Friday fish & chips

Proper, every Friday

Sunday roast

Every Sunday · book ahead, they go quickly

A chalkboard lunch menu at The Old Ship listing ham egg and chips, quiche, ploughman's, pork pie and made-to-order sandwiches
A chalkboard lunch menu with roast beef, ploughman's and freshly made sandwiches
A chalkboard lunch menu with beer-battered cod and chips, quiche and ploughman's

A taste of what comes off the board. For illustration only, not today's menu.

Want to know what's on the board today? Give us a ring or just pop in.

Got an allergy or a dietary need? Tell us when you book or order and we'll talk you through the board.

Call us · 01494 883799
Three cask hand pumps at The Old Ship with clips for Rebellion Zebedee, Fuller's London Pride and Loddon Hoppit The Old Ship's tap font pouring Renegade lager, Kicking Goat cider, a session IPA, Carlsberg and Guinness

Free house

Drinks

Three hand pumps, always rotating, mostly from breweries close to home. As a free house we change what's on regularly, so there's usually something new to try.

On tap you'll also find a couple of lagers and a cider, plus a proper pint of Guinness.

Not one for ale? We've a well-chosen wine list of reds, whites, rosé and Prosecco, alongside the usual spirits and soft drinks.

Often on our doorstep

  • Rebellion
  • Chiltern
  • Loddon

Out in the open

The Garden

The Old Ship's sunny back garden: a timber pergola, a brick terrace with bistro tables, a stone sphere water feature and a wide lawn under blue sky
A wide view of the garden: the timber pergola and its seating on the left, a stone sphere water feature, a lawn and terrace tables, with the pub beyond
A busy afternoon under the pergola, friends gathered with drinks around the tables
A warm evening under the pergola, a full house with festoon lights overhead

When the sun's out, the garden is the best seat in the house. There's a big lawn, a sunny terrace with plenty of tables, and a covered pergola for when you'd rather have a bit of shade or shelter. Bring the dog, bring the children, and settle in with a pint.

It's a lovely spot for a get-together too, from a lazy afternoon with friends to a small celebration. Have a word with us if you're planning something.

Stay in the loop

What's On

There's always the Friday fish and chips and the Sunday roast, with sport on the big screen and the odd get-together in between. Whatever's coming up goes on Facebook first, so give us a follow to keep in the loop.

Follow us on Facebook

Planning a celebration or a get-together? Give us a ring on 01494 883799.

Find us

Visit Us

The Old Ship's garden on a sunny day: people gathered under the timber pergola, parasols and bistro tables on the lawn, a stone sphere water feature and the pub beyond

The Old Ship

Marlow Road, Cadmore End, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3PN

01494 883799 · oldship1637@gmail.com

Bar

Monday–Thursday
11am–3pm, 5–11pm
Friday–Sunday
11am–11pm

Kitchen (food served)

Every day
12–2:30pm

Lunchtime only. The bar is open evenings.

Good to know

  • Dog friendly
  • Large garden with plenty of seating
  • Step-free access & accessible toilets
  • Brand-new car park
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