Sandgate

The Ship Inn, a pub by the beach in Sandgate with sea views

A friendly pub by the beach in Sandgate. Enjoy a sea view from the restaurant and our upstairs deck.

The Ship Inn’s black-and-white mock-Tudor front on Sandgate High Street, with its painted ship roundels and pub sign

2026

A friendly village pub, right by the sea.

In Sandgate, between Folkestone and Hythe, with the beach across the road. Stewart and Wendy ran it for 38 years before L&B took it on in 2023. Breakfast daily 10am–12 (walk-in only); brunch until 3pm.

Formerly known as The Famous Ship Inn. Not to be confused with The Ship on Folkestone’s Stade, by the harbour.

Pub food with a sea view

Good pub food with a sea view.

Roast chicken with red cabbage, carrots and fresh cress at The Ship Inn, Sandgate

Beer-Battered Fish & Chips£19.5
The Ship Inn Fish Pot Pie£18.5
Salt & Pepper Squid£9.5
Classic Prawn Cocktail£11.5

Restaurant menu Bar menu

Download: Bar menu (PDF) · Restaurant menu (PDF)

Prices from the current menu PDFs. Ask the team about allergens.

Christmas 2026 at The Ship InnFull menu, prices & booking Folkestone Restaurant Week menu9–13 November · Two courses £20.26 · Download (PDF)

Every Thursday

Steak night with a sea view.

DayThursdays
Time5–9pm
DealBuy one get one free

8oz rump£24
8oz sirloin£28
Sauces£3

With chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes.

Cheaper steak free. Dine-in only. Runs all year; book or walk in.

Made in-house

Handmade pies.

MadeIn-house
ServedLunch, dinner & Sundays

Pies

Steak & Ale Pie (our favourite)£19.5
Beef & Blue Cheese Pie£21
Chicken & Ham Hock Pie£19.5
Chicken & Mushroom Pie£19.5
Vegetable Pie (VG)£19.5
Pie of the Week (ask your server what's in it)£19.5

Pot pies

Kentish Beef Pot Pie£18
Mushroom & Leek Pot Pie (V)£16.5
The Ship Inn Fish Pot Pie£18.5

Street to shore

Lots of space, all with sea air.

There’s been a pub here since 1798. Here’s what you’ll find on each floor.

StreetSandgate High Street
Walk in off the High Street, or off the bus from Folkestone.
BarThe old pub bar
Cosy wood, seaside pictures on the walls and a warm welcome.
RestaurantTables with a sea view
Tasty pub food, a pint and a lovely view of the sea.
DeckUpstairs, outside
Our upstairs deck, perfect on a sunny day.
ShoreThe pebble beach
Just across the road. Great for a walk before or after your meal.

The bar at The Ship Inn in Sandgate, with green panelling, hanging hops and rows of beer taps

The lounge at The Ship Inn, Sandgate, with leather armchairs, dining tables and hops above the windows

Sandgate's shingle beach and calm sea under a blue sky, a short walk from The Ship Inn — Sandgate beach, a short walk away

A toasted ciabatta sandwich with tortilla chips by a sea-view window at The Ship Inn, Sandgate

The glazed sea-view dining room at The Ship Inn, Sandgate, with round tables and wooden chairs

Tide table

What’s on

We have regular quiz nights and live music from time to time. See what’s coming up.

When	What’s on
Midweek	A relaxed supper
Quiz nights	Regular, and everyone’s welcome
Live music	Now and then, so keep an eye out
Saturday	Seafood, pints and a lively room
Sunday	A proper Sunday roast with a sea view

Opening & food times

Day	Open	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	10AM–11PM	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9PM
Tuesday	10AM–11PM	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9PM
Wednesday	10AM–11PM	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9PM
Thursday	10AM–11PM	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9PM
Friday	10AM–midnight	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9:30PM
Saturday	10AM–midnight	10AM–12	12–3PM	5–9:30PM
Sunday	10AM–10PM	10AM–12	Food all day until 8PM

Breakfast is 10AM–12 every day, walk-in only. Brunch dishes are served until 3PM.

The green feature wall at The Ship Inn, Sandgate, with a clock, crossed oars and a ship's wheel

Baked eggs in tomato sauce in a skillet with sourdough at The Ship Inn, Sandgate

Coming up at The Ship Inn, Sandgate

Events

Thu 29 Oct · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 5 Nov · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Fri 6 Nov · 7pm–9pmLucy May Walker, live music
Live music to start your weekend.
Mon 9 – Fri 13 NovFolkestone Restaurant Week
Two courses £20.26 during Folkestone Restaurant Week. Book a table as usual.
Restaurant Week menu (PDF) · Our Restaurant Week guide · Official Restaurant Week page
Thu 12 Nov · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 19 Nov · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 26 Nov · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 3 Dec · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 10 Dec · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.
Thu 17 Dec · 5pm–9pmSteak Night
Buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24, 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes. Add a sauce for £3. Book a table or walk in. Dine-in only.

Come and see us

65 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Kent CT20 3AH

01303 905365

theshipinn@landb-restaurants.co.uk

Walking the coast path from Folkestone? Pop in for a drink and a bite.

The promenade and shingle beach at Sandgate, Kent, looking out to sea

Book a table →

All our venues on the map

Get directions to The Ship Inn

Street map of Folkestone and Sandgate showing where each L&B venue is. The numbers match the list below.

1The PullmanFolkestone town centreDirections
2The Ship InnSandgateDirections
3Harbour InnFolkestone harbourDirections
4Cat & FiddleFolkestoneDirections
5PanatariaFolkestoneDirections
6LubenFolkestoneDirections
7London & Paris HotelFolkestoneDirections
8UnionFolkestone · opening soonDirections

What people say

Google 4.3from 592 reviews, as of 13 Oct 2026

“Friendly staff, good drinks choice & great outside area with sea views. Will be returning!”

Google review, Oct 2026

“The food in this pub was fantastic, I can certainly see why the pie is famous. Reasonably priced for the quality, service and portion size.”

Google review, Aug 2026

The Ship Inn: good to know

Where's The Ship Inn?

At 65 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, CT20 3AH. It's not on Folkestone harbour; that's Harbour Inn.

How do I get to The Ship Inn from Folkestone?

We're at 65 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, CT20 3AH, between Folkestone and Hythe, with the beach across the road. It's an easy walk along the seafront from Folkestone, or you can take the bus from Folkestone to Sandgate High Street.

Is there a pub with sea views in Sandgate?

Yes, The Ship Inn has sea views from the restaurant and the deck.

Do I need to book?

Not for breakfast: it's walk-in only, so just come along between 10AM and 12. For lunch and dinner at the weekend, including Sunday lunch, yes please. Book through OpenTable using Book a table on this page.

When are you open?

We're open 10AM–11PM Monday to Thursday, 10AM–midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10AM–10PM on Sunday. Breakfast is 10AM–12 every day. Lunch is 12–3PM and dinner 5–9PM Monday to Thursday, or 5–9:30PM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, food runs all day until 8PM.

Where can I get a Sunday roast in Sandgate?

The Ship Inn on Sandgate High Street, served all day on Sunday until 8pm. Book on OpenTable, as Sunday lunch gets busy.

How do I get in touch?

Ring us on 01303 905365 or email theshipinn@landb-restaurants.co.uk.

Do you serve breakfast?

Yes, breakfast is served every day from 10am to 12, walk-in only. Brunch dishes are served until 3pm.

Do you do a steak night?

Yes, every Thursday from 5 to 9pm, all year. It’s buy one get one free on steaks: 8oz rump £24 or 8oz sirloin £28, served with chips, watercress and cherry tomatoes, and the cheaper steak is the free one. Sauces are £3 extra: bone marrow gravy, garlic butter or peppercorn. Dine-in only. Book a table or walk in.

Do you serve homemade pies in Sandgate?

Yes. All the pies at The Ship Inn are made in-house and served at lunch, dinner and on Sundays. Our favourite is the Steak & Ale Pie, £19.5. There's a Pie of the Week too, £19.5, so ask your server what's in it.

Is there a vegetarian or vegan pie?

Yes. The Vegetable Pie (VG), £19.5, is vegan, and the Mushroom & Leek Pot Pie (V), £16.5, is vegetarian. Both are on the restaurant menu.

Is The Ship Inn dog friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome in our bar areas, and assistance dogs are always welcome.

Is there parking?

The nearest public car park is Castle Road in Sandgate (CT20 3AQ), about 2 minutes' walk. There's also street parking nearby. Blue Badge holders park free for up to 3 hours in council car parks.

More questions? See the full FAQ or get in touch.

The Ship Inn · Sandgate · L&B