About The Ship Inn

CANAL SIDE HERITAGE

A Pub With History,
Character and a Setting People Remember

The Ship Inn is a historic canal side pub in Downholland, near Ormskirk, set beside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

With roots dating back to the 1750s, the pub has long been part of local life, serving walkers, boaters, families, regulars and visitors passing through the Lancashire countryside.

Today, The Ship Inn brings that history into a new chapter, offering food, drinks, a spacious beer garden, live events, weddings, private hire and a warm welcome by the water.

Part of the Canal Since the 1750s

The Ship Inn has a story that goes back generations.

The pub dates back to around 1750 and sits beside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, close to where canal life shaped the local area. Over the years, it has welcomed boaters, locals, walkers and visitors looking for food, drink and a place to rest by the water.

The building still carries reminders of its past, with original character and traditional features that give the venue a warmth and atmosphere you cannot recreate in a modern function room.

That history is part of what makes The Ship Inn special. It is not just another pub. It is a place with roots.

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A Setting Beside the Water

The location is one of The Ship Inn’s greatest strengths.

Set directly beside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the pub offers a relaxed countryside setting with canal views, outdoor space, a large beer garden and moorings for patrons.

It is the kind of place people can visit after a walk, stop at while travelling along the canal, enjoy with family, or choose as the backdrop for a special occasion.

For food, drinks, weddings and private events, the setting gives The Ship Inn something most venues cannot offer: real character, space and a waterside atmosphere.

A New Chapter for The Ship Inn

In recent years, The Ship Inn has entered a new chapter.

The venue has been brought back with a renewed focus on fresh food, drinks, live entertainment, events and creating a place where people want to gather.

The aim is simple: to keep the warmth and character of a traditional pub while building a venue that works for modern dining, celebrations, weddings and community events.

Food, Drinks and a Proper Pub Welcome

At the heart of The Ship Inn is hospitality.

The venue brings together pub food, drinks, Sunday roasts, beer garden visits, live entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere that works for families, couples, regulars and visitors.

Whether you are calling in for lunch, meeting friends for drinks, booking a table for Sunday roast or planning a private celebration, the focus is on good food, friendly service and a setting that feels easy to enjoy.

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A Place for Celebrations

The Ship Inn is also growing as a venue for weddings, private hire and special occasions.

With its canal side setting, beer garden, indoor spaces, food and drink options and relaxed countryside feel, it is ideal for people who want something more personal than a standard function room.

The venue can be used for wedding receptions, birthdays, christenings, baby showers, wakes, corporate gatherings, Christmas parties and family celebrations.

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A Pub for Locals, Visitors and Special Occasions

The best pubs are built around people.

The Ship Inn welcomes locals, families, walkers, cyclists, canal visitors, dog owners, diners, music lovers and guests celebrating important moments.

From quiz nights and live music to Sunday roasts and summer days in the beer garden, the venue is designed to feel active, welcoming and part of the community.

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FAMILY RUN

Warm Lancashire hospitality

Led by a dedicated local family, our team balances historic preservation with modern comfort. We ensure every guest, whether arriving by barge or car, feels at home.