Home > Lincolnshire > Wainfleet St Mary > Ship Inn Ship Inn

The Ship Inn was situated on Gibraltar Road, near Gibraltar Point. This pub closed in 1869 and has now been demolished.

From Lincolnshire Heritage:

Former inn and later house at Gibraltar Point, thought to have been built in the early 18th century. Wainfleet Haven had been a busy shipping hub since the medieval period, and the entrance to the River Steeping behind Gibraltar Point provided a safe sheltered area for ships to moor. Cargoes could be loaded here by the larger vessels travelling up and down the coast, or passed to the smaller barges travelling up and down the river. This trade continued until 1914, by which time the Haven had become too silted to accommodate the larger vessels. The inn is believed to have been known as the Ship Inn from the start, and would have provided food, drink and accomodation for seafarers seeking shelter from unfavourable sailing conditions and harsh weather. It is believed to have been opened in the 1720s or 1730s, and operated until its licence expired in 1869. The building became a private residence after this point, and was renamed as Gibraltar House. Small enterprises were still provided by the occupants of the house to visitors, such as the providing of refreshments and food, and coach rides around the dunes. Photographs of the building taken at this time show it to have been of two storeys, and constructed of brick with pantile roofs and large, brick chimney stacks at the gables. The building began to deteriorate in the early 20th century, and was no longer occupied by the mid 1930s. It was in very poor condition by the outbreak of the Second World War, with holes in the roofs and no intact windows, and was demolished by the Army in late 1939, after they had taken control of the area.

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on Make email contact with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub by adding your details to this page.