THE BLUE SHIP FREE HOUSE, THE HAVEN

The Blue Ship in The Haven re-opened its doors in April, having been closed during the winter months. 

Owners Simon and Sophie Bailey have run the pub, located on a rural lane between Billingshurst and Rudgwick, for 14 years. Last year, they bought The Blue Ship from brewers Hall & Woodhouse, making it a free house. 

Exemplifying the challenges faced by those in hospitality, the couple closed the pub from January to March and will now only be open from Fridays to Sundays. 

Sophie said: ‘Even before Covid, we were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as the pub was quiet. We expected to return to a Wednesday to Sunday service, but prices rose so quickly that making ends meet proved challenging. On weekdays, we were not busy enough to cover the costs of turning on the lights and heating a 400-year-old building. 

‘I also run a construction consultancy and Simon works with me during busy periods. This has stood us in good stead during recent times. For the pub to be financially viable, we focus on the consultancy business from Monday to Thursday, and open the doors Friday to Sunday. This condenses weekly trade across just three days, ensuring the pub is busy with a warm and friendly atmosphere.’

CARRY ON CAMPING

The Blue Ship also shuts for the first three months of the year, which is largely down to its dependence on a campsite in the adjacent field, also run by the Baileys. If keep the pub open has become more challenging, growing demand for the campsite has helped to compensate. Thanks to its tranquil setting, most of its 28 pitches are occupied on weekends throughout the spring and summer. Already, only a handful of spots remain for the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Sophie said: ‘We open on May Bank Holiday weekend and the campsite remains busy until October. Our offering is basic – we have built some nice toilets, but there are no showers – and people like that. Typically, they stay for a couple of nights, perhaps having a BBQ one evening and eating with us on the other, so the campsite drives pub trade too. We attract people from London and the coastal towns looking for a rural retreat, as well as West Sussex residents who like to explore the Downs Link and other nearby trails.

‘We close at the start of the year because the pub is too quiet. People don’t have much disposable income after Christmas, and many partake in dry January too. So, we use this time to focus on our other business, prepare the campsite for the spring, and carry out repairs and maintenance around the pub.’

‘We have recently been granted planning permission to convert a beautiful outbuilding into a one-bedroom holiday unit too, which will provide us with an additional income source. It’s another example of how our business dynamic has changed in a way we never expected!’

FAMILY FEEL

The natural beauty of The Blue Ship’s locality is matched by its interior charm. The pub has had its listed status upgraded to Grade II*, owing to the special architectural interest of its serving hatch. It is thought to be one of just seven remaining in the country, with others lost to pub closures or modernisations. With room at the bar for just one person, you might need to queue for your pint. But for most visitors, this is part of the experience. 

It also typifies the feel of a traditional, family-owned pub, which The Blue Ship much is. Sophie’s mum Jacquie regularly helps Sophie with service, while dad Graeme looks after Simon and Sophie’s son Hugo, particularly when dad is busy preparing food for diners. 

Sophie said: ‘The pub has the warmth that only a family can bring. Although it always felt like ours, even when it was owned by the brewery, the locals were made up for us when we bought it. We met many of our closest friends here, so it’s a lovely, supportive environment for Hugo to grow up around. He is a sociable soul, and as he arrived in May two years ago, spent most of his first summer being passed around customers!’

It may be a while yet before Hugo is pulling pints, but when he does, he’ll enjoy the freedom of a free house. The pub supports several local breweries with beers changing regularly. Currently, The Blue Ship serves ales and lagers by Crafty Brewing in Godalming and Hepworth’s of Pulborough (including a low alcohol beer on tap), with beers from Horsham Brewery coming soon. 

PUB GRUB, DONE WELL

When it comes to food, Sophie and Simon have tried to retain the feel of a traditional pub, where anyone wanting to pop in just for a pint would feel welcome. So, while it is food-led, The Blue Ship is not a gastropub and instead prepares “pub grub done well.” Dishes are hand-made using fresh ingredients, and prices remain very reasonable, with no increases on food or drink implemented this year. The couple continue to offer all starters for less than £10 and all main course meals for less than £20. 

Starters include calamari with a chilli dip (£9.95) and home-made halloumi fries (£9.95). However, we opted for Simon’s home-made Sussex-beer battered brie wedges with redcurrant jelly. With a rich texture and strong, earthy tones, this ample dish makes an ideal starter for two to share, or even a lighter main course. Mains include wholetail scampi with chunky chips and peas (£17.95), home-made pie with chips and peas (£18.95), home-cooked gammon steak with free-range eggs and chips (£18.95) and for Sunday lunch, roast dinner with all the trimmings (£17.95). We chose a home-made curry of the day (chicken madras) with rice and papadam, which packed freshness with a pleasantly tangy flavour. 

However, we couldn’t leave without trying the burgers Simon is famous for. These include the classic burger (£14.95), cheese and bacon burger (£15.95), blue burger with melted Stilton (£15.95), BBQ or jerk chicken burger (£17.95) and a vegan burger (£17.95). We opted for the most popular – and reputedly the burger of choice for The King himself – the Elvis burger, which includes hand-made beef patty with mayonnaise, red onion, gherkin, mustard, melted cheddar, lettuce and tomato. 

Yes, it’s delicious; Yes, it’s reputation is deserved; Yes, you will need extra napkins!

Further information: The Blue Ship is located off The Haven, (see the signs off The Haven), near Billingshurst, RH14 9BS. Open Fridays from 6 – 10pm, Saturdays from 12 – 3pm and 6 – 10pm, and Sundays from 12 – 4pm. www.theblueship.co.uk

Originally published in the May 2026 edition of AAH Magazine. Photos: Alan Wright Photography; Words: Ben Morris