The Old Clink in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Went right to aisle and bay for item, thanks to on line look up. Much better than before.

Coffee was very small but cost nearly five pounds, we had to put our coats on because it was so cold, and then the woman setting up the following morning blasts Johnny Cash at 06:50 waking all of the neighbours. What an awful place.

Sadly for us the warm atmosphere others talk about below was severely lacking on our visit. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s the least welcome I’ve ever felt in a pub. When we walked in it was a bit like that moment Tom Cruise enters a diner after crash-landing at the start of Top Gun Maverick. But without the sense of wonder. We were ordered around and made to feel an inconvenience from when we arrived until the moment we left. We had the nerve to ask for a high chair. They (almost proudly) don’t have one. The vegetarian was singled out in front of the whole pub and loudly read a list of their options as if being charged with a series of crimes. We saw other diners being hectored for having muddy boots. Somehow we avoided that fate - perhaps because of the shouty sign on the front door. Odd for a pub on the SW Coastpath. We visited on New Year’s Day so perhaps a late and difficult night for the staff meant we didn’t get to experience the service that other reviews talk about and which persuaded us to visit. I know hospitality is a tricky business and overheads are high. I know it’s a cliche but the bit where you make people feel welcome, the atmosphere bit, that costs nothing. Unfortunately for us, our visit, right from the off had all the atmosphere of a stern headteacher’s office. We would have left immediately but they’d taken a deposit from our card (actually debited money) and we thought we’d give them a chance. But all the way through everything was a bother. Plates were slapped down. We were given short shrift when we asked for anything. There was a lot of huffing and puffing. And what a shame as the raw materials - the building and the setting - are incredible. We redeemed the situation by paying up and heading to the Lugger down the hill where the welcome was very warm, the pudding perfect and brushes were even provided for muddy boots. We were even told we were such a nice group - just in case it sounds like any of the above happened because we were being obnoxious or annoying. We weren’t. We’re a very empathetic bunch and many of us have worked in service. The truth is we spent a lot of our time at The Ship Inn hushed and frankly a bit terrified! Hopefully our experience was anomalous and specific to the timing of it being New Year’s Day. Happy 2025. Response to Jarrod Hussey’s 5 star review of his own pub which is actually not a review at all but a response to my review… - You did not tell us on the phone that the pub did not have high chairs. This is false. And either way, a high chair takes up no more space than a chair. - We did not have any muddy shoes as we came straight from home and did our walk after lunch. So there couldn’t possibly have been mess from our group. Again you’re making things up to slander your guests. - In terms of a deposit (or deposite as you call it), I didn’t object to you taking a card. I was explaining that the fact you debited money in advance of our booking (highly unusual) was why we stayed despite your high chair policy and generally cold welcome. Our instinct after 5 minutes of being there was to leave but I am certain you’d have hung onto our money. - No baby was changed by our group in the pub. This is a lie or you’re mixing us up with another group - perhaps the group you shouted at for having muddy boots? - The group you hectored, arrived half an hour after us so I assure you we saw perfectly well how you treated them - I have to take in good faith your claim that the food you serve is cooked fresh and as a result have removed that part of my review above - The fact you responded to our feedback with false statements and more aggression, I think should tell everyone how you might treat guests that come to your pub offering you their custom. You seem to resent customers rather than valuing them for bringing you business. You treated us with contempt. And you’re continuing to do so now. - And you’ve replied to our review with a 5 star review of your own. How is it acceptable for you to give your own pub a 5 star review? This seems corrupt to me.

Went here for valentines dinner with my husband and mum. It was busy with a nice atmosphere, the server was very friendly and the food came out quickly even with being busy. The food was delicious, the presentation was appealing to the eye and the portion sizes were very reasonable. We will definitely be back here next time we're in St Ives. Thank you!

Really cool place, very much enjoyed our visit