Following the success of Michelin-rated Sculthorpe Mill, sisters Siobhan and Caitriona Peyton have opened The Ship in Brancaster — a historic 18th-century coastal inn, now reimagined as a laid-back, food-led pub with rooms.
Located near the beach and surrounded by salt marshes, The Ship blends traditional charm with refreshed interiors, featuring four dining areas, a lively bar, and a large garden with outdoor kitchen and rotisserie.
Executive Chef Elliot Ketley, who secured a Michelin Bib Gourmand at Sculthorpe Mill, brings a menu of modern British gastropub fare with Mediterranean touches, showcasing Norfolk’s seasonal produce. Highlights include red mullet with saffron aioli, lamb rump with violet artichokes, Brancaster lobster arroz caldoso, and generous sharing dishes such as a Rose veal chop or whole seabass. Lighter bar offerings include monkfish scampi, Brancaster oysters, and a crayfish club sandwich.
Sunday roasts take a contemporary turn, while summer sees rotisserie-cooked Norfolk Black chicken served with chicken fat fries and salad — ideal to eat in or pack for a beach picnic.
The drinks list, curated by Ed Thaw of London’s Leroy, leans Mediterranean with a mix of value and fine wines, alongside a strong line-up of local ales, lagers, and ciders.
The flexible layout suits everything from intimate dinners to group gatherings. The Garden Room seats up to 26 and includes a private hatch to the bar.
Much like Sculthorpe Mill, The Ship brings the same unfussy cooking, genuine hospitality and respect for its community to Brancaster. From lazy post-walk luches to celebratory suppers with friends, everyone's welcome.