SUNDAY was a particularly dreary day with that drizzly fine rain that gets you soaking wet so we decided a drive out to a nice pub for some good old grub which would go down a treat.

Rob being the beer connoisseur, we'd found The Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses, in the Good Beer Guide and though we should give it a try for the food as well as the beer!

We arrived into a very cramped car park but managed to find a spot.
On the way into the pub we were met with nautical memorabilia and a generally pleasant welcome.

We'd booked ahead so our table was ready in the restaurant at the back.
The bar at the front of the pub was heaving, which was a good sign and people were queuing to get to the bar.

Once at our table we had a nice view of the car park and the restaurant was a bit calmer than the bar area.

We got drinks served at the table and Rob was pleased with the selection of ales on offer. The food selection was good too.

It was a set Sunday lunch menu and we decided not to go for starters as there wasn't that much choice with only crab soup (£4.50), vegetable soup (£3.50) or Craster kippers (£5.50).

There was a good selection of main courses, all priced at £7.50, I decided to go for the roast rib of beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Rob went for the layered plaice, his mum for the casserole of liver and onions and his dad for the beef stovies. Other offerings included steak and kidney pie, braised steak, fisherman's pie and beef stroganoff.
There didn't appear to be any vegetarian selection though.

The food arrived steaming hot and we were all ravenous so tucked straight in.

I had a hefty portion of nicely-cooked beef smothered in home-made gravy with two big Yorkshire puddings.

Rob's plaice portion was a tad smaller but still looked nice. The liver was a good portion too and Rob's dad's plate was piled high with the beef stovies.

Each plate also had a roast potato and roast parsnip, which was a little strange with the plaice.

We also got a big dish of freshly-cooked boiled potatoes, cabbage and carrot and swede mash which went down well.

The meals were all well received, the beef was delicious and the gravy was lovely with it, I could have done with a few more roast potatoes though!

Rob's dad's beef stovies were good too and not overdone and the liver the same. The plaice was also good with a nice layer of stuffing in the middle.

It was then time for dessert, Rob and I, of course, could manage a little something so I went for the apple and raspberry pie with custard whilst he chose the fudgy chocolate pudding with ice-cream.

All sweets were £4.25 and others on offer were bread and butter pudding, blackberry and almond tart and apple pie. Coffees were also on offer at £1.25 each.

The puddings were good but not as good as the main course.

I'd asked for mine hot and it was literally a piece of pie submerged in a bowl of custard, which was good but a little too custardy for my liking. Rob's chocolate pudding tasted good and the ice-cream went down well.

All in all it was a good meal and a nice place to go for a Sunday lunch.

Most of the food boasted that it came from the local butcher which made it all the better.

The setting of The Olde Ship Inn is quite good, although you cannot see the sea when you are actually sat inside.

But as soon as you walk out and look to the right you can see the sea and the Farne Islands in the distance.

The pub itself is nautically-themed with small ship-like corridors which aren't completely disabled-friendly but add to the atmosphere of the place.

At the front of the pub is the main bar which along with its real ale
selection, serves sandwiches and other light bites.

There is also a cabin bar which was a little quieter and to Rob's delight had another real ale on. At the back of the pub is the reception area and the restaurant. The restaurant was moderately busy, not as busy as the main bar but that was good because it meant the service was good.

For a total of £52.80 for four main courses two puddings a coffee, four pints and two Cokes we thought it was definitely value for money and were impressed with the meal.

The only let down was the waitress who spoke so quietly we couldn't hear her!

STAR RATINGS (out of five)
Quality of food 3.5
Choice 4
Vegetarian choice 1
Value for money 4
Atmosphere 4
Service 4
Children catered for 3
Disabled access 4
(access via slope at rear but may be a little difficult when inside)
Disabled toilet Yes
Overall experience 4
Verdict: It wsa a nice cosy Sunday lunch, definitely worth the trip and a nice break from the dismal outdoors.

Contact details: The Olde Ship Inn, Main Street, Seahouses, Nortuhmberland NE68 7RD. Tel: 01665 720200, fax: 01665 721383; website: www.seahouses.co.uk