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Shot by a City Insiders curator.
The Ship
★ 3.0(1 review)Bar
riversidehistoricsports-bar
About the Vibe
Perched right on the Thames finish line of the famous Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, The Ship is a historic pub that’s seen more rowing drama than most reality TV. It’s a solid local haunt with a beer garden perfect for sunny afternoons and big-screen sports coverage that’ll have you shouting at the TV. The food’s standard pub fare—nothing fancy, but decent enough for a casual bite. If you’re looking for a proper riverside pub with history and a dog-friendly terrace, this is your spot.
Known For
- •Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race finish line location
- •beer garden
- •live sports screenings
- •dog-friendly
Best For
watching rugby or footballcasual pub mealssunny afternoons on the terrace
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 12, 2026
Historic riverside pub with big-screen sports
The Ship is exactly what you’d expect from a Greene King pub on the Thames: solid, unpretentious, and steeped in local history. It opened in 1525, so you’re drinking in the same spot as rowers since the Boat Race began using this finish line in 1845. The location is its biggest selling point—sit outside in the beer garden on a summer evening and you’ll feel like you’re part of the river’s story.
The food is your typical pub menu—roasts, burgers, fish and chips. Nothing to write home about, but it’s hot, reasonably priced, and does the job if you’re hungry after a walk along the river. The real draw is the atmosphere when there’s a big match on. They show rugby and football on big screens, and the place fills up with locals who know their stuff. It’s not a place for quiet conversation; it’s for cheering, shouting, and enjoying a pint with mates.
If you’re after something more upscale or trendy, keep walking. But if you want a no-nonsense pub with a view and a bit of history, The Ship delivers. Just don’t expect Michelin-starred cuisine or a silent evening. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s properly British.