The Lightship ,a new floating restaurant is shining a spotlight on Hampshire’s thriving food scene by serving up a 1940s-style fine dining experience with sweeping views, aboard an iconic Solent landmark.
Turning the clocks back to the glamour and glitz of the forties, the former lightship has been transformed into a new floating restaurant. It offer la carte dining on the mid-deck and sundown cocktails and seafood platters on the top deck.
Overlooking Portsmouth Harbour and the Spinnaker Tower
The Lightship originally built to guide ships travelling off the Hampshire coast re-opened this summer. Located at Haslar Marina in Gosport, it is now a restaurant, called appropriately enough; The Lightship.
And alongside the new-look restaurant are 10 new luxury hotel rooms within a boutique hotel and waterside venue. Called The Creek, it is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Boatfolk, owns and operates the marina as well as 10 others across the country. They have made a major investment into the development. Creating new accommodation has given the lightship a new life. It has been berthed at Haslar since being decommissioned in 1993.
After spending almost 50 years providing safe passage for vessels in the English Channel, the lightship, complete with its trademark giant lantern tower, became a restaurant. But it closed in 2021, to undergo an extensive refurbishment at the end of last year.
High-end dining
Now back in the Marina, The Lightship, has a new space mid-deck offering a high-end dining experience, as well as an extended top deck.
Inside, the vessel has been transformed to bring some 1940s glamour, with a lightly retro-themed art deco and mid-century style featuring vintage nautical elements as a nod to the ship’s history.
The top deck, which can hold 80 seated guests, is designed to be a more relaxed, drop-in spot, as well as a place to enjoy drinks and signature cocktails. With a bespoke area built within the ship’s tower giving unrivalled views across the water.
Hampshire heritage
Aiming to reflect Hampshire’s food heritage, The Lightship uses as many local ingredients as possible. They sell a range of drinks made by local producers.
For diners who want to make night of it, the new boutique hotel, The Creek, offers super-king doubles. As well as twin rooms and a family room. It sleeps four people with bunk beds for children. Rooms cost from £150 a night.