CRANBORNE.

A large 2 roomed pub (lounge and public bar plus skittle alley), this old coaching inn brewpub (on and off) is situated in the small village of Cranborne. Its a quaint pub with a collection of water jugs along the Dutch plate rack - well every pub has to have something. This is farming country and so the public bar is old style with wooden floors so that you can wear your wellies to the bar and sit by the fire with a pint. Further down the bar towards the back of the pub is a pool table. The lounge bar is smaller but cosy with a gas fire for winter rather than a real one. It has 3 tables to sit at and a smaller one by the door. Bench seating attached to the walls is the comfortable interior seating for the tables and although smoking is allowed, it was clean air at the time. The bar itself has a cantina look to it from those spaghetti westerns. Food (served 12-2 and 7-9) is traditional, wholesome and filling (vegetarian limited choice) about £4.50 - £5.95. a children's menu is available on request. The real ale(s) available was only the Ringwood Bitter at the time, but they do have the occasional beer festival. They also serve a major brands brew if you don't like real ale. Disabled access is possible, small 1 inch step up to get in and another 1 inch to gain access to the toilets. Talking of which the gents is impossible to negotiate with a wheelchair, or if you are portly. Accommodation Rating is available, though prices have changed recently, a guide price might be £45 a double en-suite B&B. Not far from Verwood, Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Food can also be obtained from their Take-Away Service (12 - 1:45pm and 7 - 9:45pm). Order at the bar or phone them first. Children allowed in for food if well behaved.