The Old Ship, Pilling

Image: © Steven Haslington Taken: 21 Mar 2015

The Old Ship is a residential property in the village of Pilling, in Lancashire, England. It is Grade II listed, joining English Heritage's list of protected buildings on 17 April 1967. Also known as "The Olde Ship" and "The Ship Inn", it was originally constructed in 1782 for George Dickinson. George Dickinson was born in Pilling in 1732. He was drawn west out to the sea rather than to the surrounding farmlands by the Wyre and Fylde - he was Captain of various trans-Atlantic slave ships. Records show that a George Dickinson sailed several times from Liverpool to the Windward Coast of west Africa during the 18th century. His pursuits granted him considerable wealth, and, upon his retirement, enabled him to purchase Hooles Farm and construct The Old Ship. He married Ann "Nancy" Whiteside, who was also native to Pilling, and there is reference to George and Nancy on site - in the yard is a pump inscribed with their initials. As an elderly yeoman of Pilling, George allowed The Old Ship to be used for local village politics, for instance as a base for the Court Baron and magistrates. The Old Ship passed to various persons and families after his death in 1806 - the Whitesides, the Armers, the Lewins, the Ronsons, and Edmonsons - and has been used variously as a hotel, inn, pub, restaurant, and private home. However it was probably best known as an isolated tavern that was strategically located to support smuggling in the early 19th century. It was renovated in 2011, with the original brickwork restored to the front façade.

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