Mother Shipton, Portsmouth

223 Twyford Avenue
Stamshaw
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8NY
023 9266 0453

Mother Shipton was a soothsayer who lived 500 years ago in a cave in Knaresborough, Yorkshire. She became remarkably famous after her lifetime for her prophecies, and presumably the story was alive and well in in Victorian Portsmouth. Lots of UK pubs were named after her but only one other, in her home town, now remains.

The pub was designed by prolific pub architect A.H. Bone in 1892 for Brickwoods Brewery and it’s another stunning building, even without his familiar witch’s hat tower (photo 1). Above the door is a statue of Mother Shipton, looking a little less ugly than the legend suggests but sporting a witch’s hat (photo 2). Maybe two witch’s hats on one pub was too much!

The Mother Shipton has a good selection of local real ales and offers weekend live music, pool, darts and TV sports.

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