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
Dog friendly Walkers & cyclists welcome Beer garden & outdoor seating Step-free access

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, with low oak beams, open fires 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, serving honest food, well-kept ale and good company. We've kept the old charm people remember, restoring as much of the original building as we could.

Being a free house means we can pour what we like, and what we like is mostly on our doorstep, from breweries just down the road.

Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has worked on The Old Ship and supported us along the way to get her sailing again in Cadmore End. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

From the daily board

Food

No fixed menu, and that's the point.

Every morning we chalk up the day's board: classic pub lunches, freshly made to order from the freshest ingredients we can get our hands on, with salads and vegetables often grown in local gardens and allotments.

Kitchen hours

Food served every day, 12–2:30pm

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

A chalkboard lunch menu at The Old Ship listing beer-battered cod and chips, quiche and ploughman's

An example of our daily board. Today's will be different.

Usually on the board

  • Sunday roast beef

    Every Sunday. Book ahead, they go quickly.

  • Ploughman's

    Artisan cheeses, a portion of pork pie, a selection of salads and bread

  • Beer-battered fish and chips

    Brixham fish, delivered fresh, with our own homemade tartare sauce

  • Sandwiches

    Ham & piccalilli, cheese and ploughman's pickle, tuna and cucumber (made to order)

  • Desserts

    Eton mess, crème brûlée, chocolate brownie with ice cream

We don't publish a menu with prices online. Everything is written up on the blackboard in the pub and changes with what's fresh that day. Give us a ring to check what's on before you visit.

A plate of beer-battered cod with thick-cut chips and a pot of homemade tartare sauce, on a dark wooden table in the bar
A ploughman's plate: a wedge of pork pie, mature cheddar, coleslaw, sliced tomato, radish, beetroot, celery, carrot and chutney
A freshly made granary sandwich with a side salad on a garden table, next to a pint of Chiltern ale
A Sunday roast: slices of roast beef with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnip, carrots, green beans, cauliflower cheese and gravy

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

Happy to be flexible. Tell us if you need gluten free, vegetarian or vegan, or if you have an allergy, 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. As a free house we can seek out whatever we like, so you'll find real cask ales from regional breweries alongside specialist beers from independent brewers, and there's usually something new to try.

There's keg ale on too, plus a couple of lagers and a cider, and 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
Seating under the covered pergola with festoon lights overhead, looking out past the trellis and garden beds towards the car park

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 sport on the big screen and the odd get-together in between, and the day's food goes up on the board each morning. 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 whitewashed gables lit up at dusk, with 'The Old Ship, Free House' painted on the wall, a ship weathervane, the compass emblem beside a window, and daffodils along the front bed

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
  • Walkers & cyclists welcome
  • Beer garden & outdoor seating
  • Step-free access
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