Latest news with #ScottArms
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Best Dorset village pubs to visit according to readers
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." Recommended reading: 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.
The Herald Scotland
12-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Dorset pub named as having one of the UK's best beer gardens
The Scott Arms in Kingston was featured in a list from Muddy Stilettos, which named the 50 best from around the nations. Discussing the reasons for creating the list, the lifestyle publication wrote: "As summer rolls through we all naturally flock to the UK's most sought-after place, the pub. So why not drink in style with gorgeous views? "Here are our top pub gardens across the counties where you can make the most of the rays." The full top 50 pub beer gardens with "jaw-dropping views" can be found on the Muddy Stilettos website here. Why is The Scott Arms among the UK's best beer gardens with a view? The Scott Arms was highlighted by Muddy Stilettos as having one of the best beer gardens for views, thanks to being able to see Corfe Castle from it. They wrote: "You can see the ruins of the iconic Corfe Castle from the large garden, with a telescope on hand if you want to zoom in. "The super laid-back pub serves up the usual pub grub with the added bonus of sizzling BBQ chicken, steak, brisket and prawns from the Shak every Saturday and Sunday from May to October." On its website, The Scott Arms describes itself as a pub with "history, character, community and atmosphere". It adds: "A pub with the best view over the majestic Purbeck countryside, taking in the stately Corfe Castle ruins and following the route of the steam railway right down to the Swanage beaches. "A pub that's as welcoming in the lazy, heat-hazy outdoors of Summer as it is in the fireplace-cosy, mulled warmth of Winter." In terms of its drinks, it has a variety of locally-brewed and guest ales, alongside "well-respected" cider, an "eclectic wine selection" and a huge range of spirits. Meanwhile, for food, there is a mixture of "locally-sourced, freshly-cooked, delicious, hearty pub classics". What do visitors think of The Scott Arms? The Scott Arms has been mostly well-received by visitors, earning a 4.2/5 score on Google Reviews from 1,516 ratings and a 3.3/5 score on Tripadvisor from 1,268 reviews. One person wrote: "Lovely food and plenty of it. Lovely atmosphere with friendly staff. Lovely views over Corfe Castle and surrounding areas." Another said: "A lovely characterful pub, spectacular location on the hillside with views of Corfe Castle from the beer garden and the breakfast room. "Was expecting a small standard room and was pleasantly surprised when we were shown to our 'room' which consisted of a bedroom, seperate wc and bathroom AND a sitting room with a couch and dining table. "It was cosy and warm and welcoming- could not have asked for more." A third shared: "Having been out walking across the Purbeck Hills the Scott Arms was a welcome break. "We enjoyed a delicious lunch sat near a roaring fire and welcoming staff. The menu was small but hard to choose from as there was such a great choice! Recommended reading: "Highly recommend the Scott Eggs (which we shared) along with the cured trout. The pork chop was delicious and beautifully presented with wonderful crackling, mash and a jus to die for. The hake and venison were a huge hit too! "Lovely to enjoy food that is sourced locally. We'll be back very soon!" Quite a few people mentioned the beer garden as a plus point, as one commented: "Excellent Sunday roast, good local beers, car parking, and beer garden with fantastic views down to Corfe Castle. Well worth a visit."
