Best Dorset village pubs to visit according to readers

The Herald Scotland

a day ago

Whether you're looking for some cask ales or ciders, some gorgeous food or great atmosphere, these places tend to offer them all.
Due to the abundance of choice, it might pose the question of what the ultimate village pub to visit in Dorset is.
Therefore, we decided to ask Daily Echo readers to share the one village pub they would recommend people go to in the county.
The one village pub you need to visit in Dorset according to readers
More than 250 comments were left on the Facebook post, with a huge variety of answers being given.
However, the one place that stood out with the most comments of support was The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers.
One reader said: "Square & Compass. Best Dorset beer and amazing views".
Another wrote: "Square n compass on a sunny Saturday afternoon atmosphere is awesome".
A third simply posted: "Definitely the Square and Compass".
The Square & Compass is known for its outdoor seating (Image: Christopher W/Tripadvisor)
Overall, there were more than 30 separate comments in support of the pub, which was also named as the county's best in a list from The Telegraph back in January.
It is known for its outdoor seating with views out to the sea, a gorgeous tap room, award-winning beers and ciders, and live music.
While the pub is a bit out of the way to get to, it is also well worth a visit, according to many reviewers.
It has managed to earn a 4.4/5 score on Tripadvisor from 589 reviews.
The Scott Arms in Kingston also got a few mentions, as one said: "The Scott's arms is a great vintage pub with an amazing view over looking Bournemouth and Poole bay!!"
The Scott Arms is known for its stunning beer garden (Image: jrchannon/Tripadvisor)
The views from the beer garden are a big selling point for the place, which is also not too far from Corfe Castle.
It offers a number of real ales (including locally-brewed) options, well-kept cider, a "robust" wine selection and a "well-stocked range of spirits" according to its website.
Discussing its food options, it says: "Expect freshly made pies, rare breed pork such as Mangalista on bone pork chop and fish specials such as Cornish hake.
"There's hearty soups and fondue nights in the winter and fresh meats, fish and seafood with plenty of locally-grown vegetables and salads in the summer."
It has been mostly well-received with a 4.2/5 score from 1,533 Google Reviews and a 3.2/5 score from 1,273 Tripadvisor ratings.
The Botany Bay over in Winterborne Zelston got some love from readers also, with one saying it does "amazing grub".
The Botany Bay has been highly-praised for its food (Image: Buddkiss11/Tripadvisor)
Another shared: "The Botany Bay at Winterborne Zeleston does amazing food, dog friendly and has a lovely outside area and play area for kids".
A third posted: "The Botany Bay Inne - best roast I've had in ages the pork belly was stunning."
Named after the famous bay in Australia to which British convicts were once deported, The Botany Bay describes itself as having "rustic appeal and a welcoming atmosphere".
Its website adds: "A carefully curated drink menu includes locally brewed ales, ciders, and an extensive wine list, ensuring something for every palate."
Visitors absolutely love this spot, with it having earned a 4.6/5 score on Tripadvisor from 145 reviews.
Quite a few places around Dorset got one or two mentions, with some readers waxing lyrical about them.
This included The Anchor Inn in Seatown, as one wrote: "The Anchor inn Seatown. Beautiful location, food is ace, and great service. Thoroughly recommend."
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Another went to bat for The Brewers Arms in Winterborne St Martin, saying: "The Brewers Arms martinstown - Dorset Beef on Sundays and local ales - and a beautiful sunset garden!"
Discussing The Royal Oak in Milborne St Andrew a reader said it had "great sunday carvery, great garden and wonderful team".
Other places mentioned included The Old Thatch in Wimborne, The Thimble Inn in Piddlehinton and The Worlds End in Almer.