Ship Anson

Fantastic pub. Great atmosphere. Food is excellent and very reasonably priced. Had dinner with a friend two nights in a row and both times we couldn't believe what quality we got for the price with it being right in front of the Naval Museum and train station. Had the steak and ale pie, bbq chicken, pub plates, and the prosciutto and camembert sandwich, all excellent. Decent beer selection as well and nice cocktails.

We stopped by the Ship Anson on the way to visit the Portsmouth Historic Dock Complex. The Ship Anson is a very traditional pub. I don't know anything about its history but it seems very old although well maintained. I was with a group that comprised my wife, our daughter, her husband and our two grandchildren age 6 and 9. When we walked in one of the regulars at the bar advised us to get the Sunday roast which we did. This was a pretty traditional roast with a choice of meat - beef, turkey, ham, etc. it was accompanied by roasted potatoes, peas, and other vegetables. All very traditional and very good. They also had a children's menu. It was very homey and not expensive. I understand that their fish and chips are excellent but we did not get a chance to try them. I would certainly recommend the Ship Anson.

Pop in with a friend on a 'walkabout', had refreshments before going to Southsea & just coming of the Gosport Ferry. Sat in the shaded part out to the side of the building.
Friendly staff

If I hadn't chanced to order the fish and chips the first time I was here, a few years ago (on a day trip to Portsmouth), I'd probably be somewhere in the three-star range.

But I did order the fish and chips, and I recalled them as being extremely mind-blowing. On a longer visit this year, I was able to check and see if they lived up to memory. And they did. These are the best fish and chips I've ever had (twice), and I've eaten a lot of fish and chips, on both sides of the pond, from the nearby Still & West in Portsmouth to A Salt and Battery in New York.

These are the best, hands down. If you don't believe me, look at the picture. Then imagine that the chips are as perfectly fried as they look, and the fish is PERFECTLY done cod in a crisp, slightly sweet batter.

I don't know why Ship Anson doesn't tout this accomplishment more, but they should. Nice comfy pub decor and cask ale are only icing on the rating -- this place is five stars on fish and chips alone. Just be aware that they'll ruin all other fish and chips for you, forever, as you compare them to the deliciousness you consumed at Ship Anson.

This is a great pub with excellent fish and chips. It's conveniently located to many of local historical sites. Stop by for a visit, you won't be disappointed.

Visited here while on holiday and realley enjoyed the pub and the area round the docklands.The pub is very old but very comfortable
We had a nice lunch and a few pints while the ladies went looking at the new shopping mall that has been built by the docks.

Yes, it is I, your ever intrepid, South-England-roving, yelper-extradordinaire with yet another review.

Being somewhat obsessive-compulsive about pub names, and having been too preoccupied with my toddler to ask one of the staff about the name, I've done a bit of searching to try and discover the source of yet another cryptic pub name.

On the sign is a handsome gentleman, if not somewhat sissified in an 18th century kind of way (puffy white wig, frilly sleeves, etc). Must've been someone of note. But there is no difinitive answer. My best guess is that this person is one George Anson, a person of nobility, and Admiral of the Royal Navy who circumnavigated the globe. Not a small feat even today, but back then, quite commendable, to be sure. If not he, then it must be named for his eponymous WWII war ship. But that's just so un-pub-like. (Pub names must be rural, people at least 200 years old, or someone's arms, don't they?)

You need not go around the globe for a good meal in Portsmouth, right at the mouth of the historic naval shipyard, and the home of the fabled Victory and a short walk from the Gunwarf Quays Shopping. The Ship Anson was great. The risotto, tasty and not overdone. The vegetarian chile, very good flavor, and just a bit of bite. My typically picky 2-year-old devoured his spaghetti.

Top that with the fact that they serve one of my favorite real ales, Old Speckled Hen, and you have a winner.

The staff were friendly, helpful, and even tried really hard to help me out; with my American accent I must have sounded like I didn't know how to order in a pub (never mind I've lived here for a year). My subconscious spitefully forgot to get the table number, and the bar keep still was able to determine my table number just by my description. Surely a sign of quality.

To top it off, they do have a wide screen, and were showing the Wimbledon Final, so it would work for sports viewing, too.

If we find ourselves needing food in the vicinity of Portsmouth Historic Shipyard again, we might very well go back. You should try it, too.

I really enjoyed this pub; filled with history, atmosphere, and friendly people. I stopped in for dinner twice this past week. I had a few pints of the hand-pumped beers, and sampled the ciders before I ordered, so I admit my judgement might have been a bit clouded, but I really enjoyed both the fish and Chips, and the meat pie. I will definitely go back the next time I'm in town.

This place was just next to the hotel and looked interesting, Got three sausage on a bed of mashed covered in gravy in a yorkshire pudding bowl. Really tasty comfort food. Helpful service as well. Will return for sure.

Basic boozer - ok for a quick drink but not much more. Old fashioned pub decor popular with Navy personnel. If the footy is on it can get really busy.