The History of

THE SHIP TAVERN

WELCOME TO HOLBORN’S BEST KEPT SECRET


Established as a pub in 1549, The Ship Tavern boasts a fascinating history intertwined with mystery, involving English Royalty, the Masons, and the Clergy.

In the bygone era surrounding The Ship in Holborn, the area was notorious for its seedy gambling establishments and various shady, mostly illegal businesses.

The pub likely originated to quench the thirst of farm laborers working in the nearby Lincolns Inn Fields. The fields, a site of 16th-century executions, drew crowds, providing The Ship with increased patronage after each grisly death sentence.

During the 16th Century, The River Fleet, once running through Holborn, brought the murky waters of the Thames closer to the area, likely supporting shipyards or dockyards near the pub. Rumours suggest The Ship’s involvement in smuggling and piracy, explaining its original name, The Ship Tavern.

Over the years, visitors have mistakenly referred to the pub as The Ship Inn or The Ship Pub, but historical consensus affirms its name as The Ship Tavern.

In King Edward the Sixth’s reign, The Ship served as an “underground” church for London’s hidden Catholics. Banned Catholic Priests conducted Mass from the pulpit, cleverly disguised as the bar, while spotters signaled the presence of the King’s officials, prompting a transformation into rowdy pub clientele.

The Ship Tavern’s connections also extend to the secretive society of The Freemasons. Consecrated as a Masonic Lodge in 1736, it remained a meeting house for the local chapter of the clandestine order.

Throughout the centuries, notable figures frequented The Ship, adding to its storied past. Don’t miss the history board near the front entrance, chronicling the intriguing tales that have unfolded within these walls.

During the short reign of King Edward the Sixth the Ship Pub in Holborn was utilised by the English Catholic community as an “underground” church of sorts. Edwards father, Henry the Eight, had already publically outlawed Catholicism in 1533, meaning loads of practicing Catholics were high and dry when it came to supporting their beliefs. And so it was that instead of heading to the Ship Tavern to simply drink ale and engage in witty banter, many of Londons hidden Catholics sought out the pub in order to receive Mass given out by some of the aforementioned banned Catholic Priests, who’d made The Ship Tavern their unofficial faith base.

In a well organised ministry, specialist spotters were employed about the area armed with secret signals to warn the pubs worshippers when any of the Kings officials were spotted in the area. When the signal made it back to The Ship the parishioners would simply start drinking their mead or ale and transform into simple rowdy pub clientele. Meanwhile the priest, who’d been manning the pulpit – which was in fact the bar of the pub – secreted themselves away in the various hidey holes built within the pubs walls and cellar to await the passing of the kings men.

The religious activities involving The Ship were not the establishments only past secretive connections. The closely guarded society of The Freemasons – for a time operated out of the Ship Tavern also. The building was consecrated as a Masonic Lodge in in 1736 and for many years remained a London institution and meeting house for the local chapter of the clandestine order. Masons are renowned for being evasive and secretive to say the least, and that certainly fits in with the atmospheric past of this building and the business that was housed within.

There have been a number of notable famous (or infamous) regulars to the pub over the centuries also so be sure not to miss the history board posted by the front entrance to the pub.


Things

To Do

Nearby

We are close to some superb locations and attractions!  We are a springboard to Covent Garden and the West End amongst others, including:

  • *John Soane Museum
  • *British Museum
  • *Hunterian Museum
  • *Covent Garden
  • *The West End

Visit Us

THE SHIP TAVERN
12 Gate Street
Holborn
London WC2A 3HP

Opening Hours

MONDAY - SATURDAY:
11am - 11pm
SUNDAY:
12pm - 11pm


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