DORCHESTER.

A lively locals pub set in olde worlde Dorchester. It's in a side street on the east of town. They have constantly changing guest beers - RCH Pitchfork, Marstons Ark Royal, Hoskins Bitter, Otter Head, Greene King Abbot. The decor reminds you of the 1970s kitchens, you know, formica on the walls and dark worn carpet. Tables and chairs are solid and comfy and there are some settles. Lighting is dark and atmospheric. Food is good - though not served Monday nights - and wholesome and reasonably priced. Not a lot of choice for vegetarians. No accommodation here. access for the disabled is possible, though there is a step.
[not Monday] [not Monday]

We are informed that this pub belongs to the ex-Eldridge Pope tied estate. It was serving Hardy's and a guest, this time it was Mansfield's. A two room pub with the room to the right a pool room with bare floor and walls and shop front window. The bar is through a door to the left and is cosy and snug in the winter. The clientele is friendly and welcoming and the landlord doesn't mind taking the sparkler off for you. No food here though, or accommodation, but there must be 10 pubs in the street from top to bottom and at least half of them do food. No accommodation either, but try Tom Brown's or the Royal Oak or the White Hart. Steps so not good for the disabled.

This is the Goldfinch brewery tap and serves three of the current line up - Tom Brown's, Flashman's Clout and Midnight Blinder. All were served very well and tasted great. The pub is a little rustic inside with bare floors and minimal furniture, but the ambiance is great. The agricultural toilets do nothing to warm the experience. But having said that this is a wonderful pub where conversation is king and the old jukebox in the corner plays spirited tunes at a decent level. The brewery is out back and can be seen from the corridor if you look hard enough. Only lunch is served here and is good value basic stuff. Well worth a visit if in Dorchester. For the evening there is a great pizza takeaway across the road. Not far from the train station and there is accommodation here.

A Badger beer outlet (Hall and Woodhouse) that has accommodation from £22. Appearing like a sixties country pub it has a large white stag over the entrance. Inside their are two bars. The lounge has a separate seating (comfy tables and chairs) area for food, though it doubles up as bar seating too. The overhang bar served Badger Best and IPA, though the staff were nowhere to be seen when we entered. After waiting 5 minutes we left. We did get to see the food though and it looked traditional pub grub at pub grub prices. The public bar was a little more basic, but usable. Access for the disabled is OK. Car park off road, a boon in Dorchester.

Also try the Royal Oak at the top of the hill up from High East Street. It is a Wetherspoons. This picture is a little out of date, but you get the idea.