Ploughman's Lunch

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The Ship Inn, Mevagissey

A traditional Ploughman's lunch served on a wooden board in a pub. The meal includes two thick slices of ham, two wedges of pale cheese, a crusty white bread roll, a mixed salad of lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, plus small pots of pickled onions, chutney, and herb butter. A knife and fork are laid on the table, with drinks visible in the background.

Ploughman’s lunch at The Ship Inn, reviewed

Guest Review by Paul Wilson

Location –
1 Fore Street,
Mevagissey,
Cornwall,
PL26 6UQ.

Tel: 01726 843324

Email: shipinn.meva@outlook.com

Website – www.theshipinnmeva.co.uk

Date of Visit – 22/07/2026

Cost – £16

Notes on the visit:
A well-earned family summer holiday to the lovely fishing village of Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast. A week of fun, fantastic weather, great food and company; all of which made the 330-mile trip and 3am start well worth it!

The Food

7 – Pickled onion. Half a dozen smallish silver-skin pickled onions, served in a ramekin. These were probably from a catering jar, but they were decent, definitely not too acidic, and went well with the cheese.

7 – Pickle. No pickle as such, but a nice Rattler cider chutney, so an extra point for doing something different and regional.

A traditional Ploughman's lunch served on a wooden board in a pub. The meal includes two thick slices of ham, two wedges of pale cheese, a crusty white bread roll, a mixed salad of lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, plus small pots of pickled onions, chutney, and herb butter. A knife and fork are laid on the table, with drinks visible in the background.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey Ploughmans lunch

7 – Cheese & Ham:

The offering on the menu was ham and a choice of either Cheddar or Stilton. Unlike the Chief Ploughmaster I quite like blue cheese, but on this occasion opted for the Cheddar.

Cheese

Upon first inspection, I thought this might be a terrible catering cheese. However, it was actually much better than that. It wouldn’t blow your head off, but it was tasty enough and with a little bit of bite. The portion could have been a bit bigger. Not sure of the provenance, but it was decent enough.

Ham.

On to the ham. Again, looks can be deceiving. When the board was placed in front of me, I wondered if it might be a bit chewy. However, I needn’t have worried as it was a decent cut. Tender and tasty, which was good as I detest gristly ham.

Overhead view of a traditional Ploughman's lunch served on a rectangular wooden board. The meal includes two thick slices of ham, two wedges of pale cheese, a crusty white bread roll cut into two pieces, a mixed salad with lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, plus small pots of pickled onions, fruity chutney, and herb butter. A knife and fork are placed either side of the board on a wooden table.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey Ploughmans lunch flatlay

8 – Bread: Par-baked white baguette, but nicely warmed and crispy crust, without being burnt or dry inside. Just right in my humble opinion.

4 – Spread Garlic & Herb Butter. A nice garlic and herb butter, served at room temperature, so no spreading issues. probably not enough for some, but fine for me. No catering packet stuff which adds a point.

2 – Salad, etc. This was a bit of a let-down. I think a Ploughman’s should always have a bit of apple front and centre; alongside any other ancillary foliage the hostelry chooses to add. The tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and mixed leaves were perfectly fresh, but lacked any dressing and didn’t really add anything other than onward digestion assistance for the cheese and ham, if I’m honest. Maybe some grapes wouldn’t have gone amiss either.

Traditional pub bar with a row of hand pumps serving Cornish ales. Pump clips include Cornish Best, Proper Job IPA, Hicks, and Tribute, with a Korev lager tap visible to the left. Two members of bar staff are pulling pints behind the bar, with shelves of spirits and glasses in the background.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey drinks

5 – Presentation: Smartly laid out on a wooden board, with proper ramekins for the various bits and bobs. Exactly how a pub Ploughman’s should be displayed.

5 – Originality. Smartly laid out on a wooden board, with proper ramekins for the various bits and bobs. Exactly how a pub Ploughman’s should be displayed.

Food Total: 44

Beverages

10 – Drinks: A busy traditional pub bar showcasing a selection of Cornish beers on hand pump. Prominently displayed are St Austell Brewery’s Cornish Best, Proper Job IPA, Hicks Special Draught, and Tribute Cornish Pale Ale, alongside a Korev lager tap.

Behind the polished wooden bar, staff are serving customers, with rows of spirits and glassware lining the shelves. The brass pump handles and classic wooden bar create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, giving the pub an authentic and characterful feel.

Drinks Total: 10

The Venue

10 – Service: Top notch. The lads behind the bar all very friendly, welcoming and efficient. Food arrived promptly and with a smile. A credit to both the pub and the village.

5 – Location: A classic Cornish fishing village pub. Slap bang in the middle of Mevagissey. Full of character and a stone’s throw away from the very picturesque harbour.

10 – Atmosphere: We visited The Ship Inn early evening in July and there was a good mix of locals and tourists in. A very friendly atmosphere; busy without being overcrowded. A very pleasant place to spend the evening, and somewhere I would highly recommend.

Interior of a traditional Cornish pub with a long wooden bar and low timber beams. Customers stand at the bar while others are seated in cosy corners. Warm lighting, wooden panelling, an anchor decoration, and nautical details create a welcoming maritime atmosphere.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey bar

5 – Toilets: Clean and well maintained. Not much more to say.

Venue total: 30

Total Score: 84

Editors Footnote:

Big thanks to Paul Wilson for this great review. I loved the writing style, and it is good to have a different opinon on “certain” matters.

This site will always fully credits authors and reviewers for their work, and (with the exception of slander, catastrophic spelling errors, or typo’s) will publish unabridged the submission. As such, I always ask the following:

“I do like to attribute reviews to the reviewer. Is there anything online that you would like to link to? Do you have a social presence or a website? You can use this for some self-promotion. If not, perhaps a charity you support?”

The reply was one of pure joy and support for our wonderful hospitality industry and the Ploughman’s lunch:

“I don’t have any particular cause to mention or sponsorship requirement, I’m just happy to help promote decent Ploughman’s Lunches and the pubs that serve them!”

So Thank you Paul Wilson for your services.

Interior of a traditional Cornish pub featuring low exposed timber beams, thick wooden posts, a ship's wheel mounted on the wall, and a stone fireplace. Wooden tables and upholstered chairs create cosy seating areas, with a humorous warning sign reminding taller visitors to mind their heads.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey old pub
Exterior of The Ship Inn, a traditional stone-built pub on a street corner in Mevagissey, Cornwall. The historic building has slate roofs, white-framed windows, hanging baskets, and a painted ship sign. A woman walks a small dog past the entrance on a sunny day.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey outside
Cosy interior of a traditional Cornish pub with low exposed wooden beams, stone flooring, and warm lighting. A striped armchair sits beside a round wooden table, while timber posts, nautical decorations, and a stone fireplace create a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors walk through the narrow passage beyond.
The Ship Inn Mevagissey charm

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