POOLE.

Ringwood took over this grade II listed building pub in 2001 and thoroughly refurbished it to a high standard. It is situated directly opposite the historic Guildhall Museum, just a short walk from Poole Town Quay. The interior is light and modern with bright wood and selective lighting. There is even a viewing area for the cellar on the same level as the bar at the rear of the pub. We visited on a dull rainy day and it felt warm and light inside - we almost didn't go out again into the drizzle. Seating is set out round a 'U' shaped bar that is on the right of entrance. Some stools at the bar which holds at least four of Ringwood's own brews. No news about a guest as yet, but there is a spare hand pump for one or one of their seasonals. Other seating is at large round tables and a mixture of smaller 4-person tables, all light wood with light wood chairs on a carpet round the room edge. Go round to the right and you will see the cellar. You will also see the patio beer garden out back for when the rain stops. There is heating outside too. Food is served here (12-7, Sun 12-2) and you can see from the menu that it has a difference to the traditional pub fayre these days. We tried two or three of the choices and were not disappointed. The portions were good and the price fair. Service was quick and efficient too. The ladies toilets are upstairs but there is a disabled toilet available. The pub is just a short walk from the Hogshead and the Brewhouse (now a Milk Street pub) and just off the High Street, quay end. Well worth a visit for lunch. 

	Symbols:		Open:	Monday-Saturday:	Sunday:	Map	Pics
				11-11	12-10.30	View

The Antelope Inn is a famous old Coaching House and the oldest licensed premises in Poole.  On the High Street they have been a popular meeting place through the centuries.  It still retains part of its original 15th Century building.  Situated so conveniently to the Poole Quay, the hotel was used by the horse coaches as a stop off for Lymington, Southampton, Bath, Bristol, Weymouth and London.  Nowadays they are visited by people looking for quality products which they find in the bar, restaurant and guest rooms.  A delicious home cooked meal can be enjoyed in wonderful surrounding every day (12-10 Mon-Sat, 12-9.30 Sun) and to complement this a range of wines and soft drinks can be ordered.  The staff are friendly and service is good. The beers on at the time were Greene King IPA; Abbott and a guest ale. The Antelope has accommodation and all have mod cons. If you fancy a romantic weekend, they have themed rooms.... If in the area, it's worth stopping off at the Antelope Inn.

This was the brew pub of the Poole Brewery. It has now been taken over by the Milk Street Brewery and serves their ales. The inside hasn't changed that much yet, but I'm sure it will. The obligatory CD jukebox might put off some, but it does not detract from the beer. Others may be put off by the lack of seating - standing room only at busy times. Being in the High Street it is close to the train station (5 mins walk) and the bus station (8 - 10 mins walk). This is good as there is no accommodation. When visited at Xmas 2003, it had 4 beers on, all from the Milk Street range. All were well kept and tasted great. All of these beers are well worth the trip to find, especially as it is in the middle of the shopping street and you can have a tipple while you spend. Also worth mentioning are the prices for the beer; you can get a pint for as little as £1.70. A real drinking pub. Open all day.

A popular pub, no longer a free house with a distinct nautical feel as it's not far from the harbour. A former merchant's house, the pub has a cosy, quiet ground floor lounge and an extensive cellar bar where live bands perform Thursday and Sundays. Real ales were Cottage Southern Bitter plus others. Food is served at lunchtimes but not on Sundays. A good thing about the Boar is that it is two minutes walk from the Brewhouse - you can even see it from the front steps.

One of the circuit pubs near the quay on a Friday and Saturday nights. However, on a week day it can a pleasant place to park your rear and enjoy a few good ales along with some decent - if overpriced - food. The outside is very much shop front, with large windows letting lots of light and people staring at you. On a corner, this makes the pub an interesting place to visit inside as it has some nooks and crannies to get secluded in. The decor is very much bright light pine style with an airy feel to it. Seating is at a mixture of light wood tables and chairs or there are some padded seats available. A number of screens also break up the open expanse. The bar faces the door and is a long dark wood one covered with hand pumps of all sorts, though the best real ale tends to be served directly from the barrels behind the bar. They usually have up to seven real ales on that are of interest, though they carry one or two of the national brands as well. Prices tend to be a bit steep though, with many ales clocking in at over £2.10 a pint. Food is well presented but again a little over priced. There is plenty of choice for vegetarians. Also try the Hogs; Head Parkstone, 382 Ashley Road, Dorset, BH14 9DJ. 01202 740596

	Symbols:		Open:	Monday-Saturday:	Sunday:	Map	Pics
[not sun]				11-3; 5(Sat 6)-11	12-4; 7-10.30	View

A busy quayside pub in Poole that sees a lot of action on a Saturday night. Along with the Jolly Sailor next door, these two pubs alone handle an awful lot of customers at the weekend, but are 'relatively' empty during the week. The beers came from Wadworths on this occasion, though there was a national brand or two there. Food is served at both lunch and evenings and is traditional pub grub. Portions are OK, though not overgenerous and prices are average for the south. No accommodation here but try: Quay House Bed and Breakfast, 3a Thames Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1JN. (01202) 686335. Prices: single from: £27.50, double from: £40.

According to the local CAMRA members, this is one of Poole's cosy old pubs, and I must say I agree. Situated the next street over, on the traffic lights, from the High Street, it is nicely situated half way down its length and not far from the Hogshead and the Brewhouse. This in itself makes it part of the weekend pubcrawl for the real ale drinker. It stocks at least two Ringwood ales at all times - on this occasion 49'er and Best Bitter, plus at least one changing guest ale a Cottage beer this time. There is car parking outside and this is a bonus in Poole. Next to the car park is the beer garden, which has a number of picnic benches  and umbrellas. Inside we have the ubiquitous nautical theme with old pictures and bric-a-brac. You enter the pub from one side and the single bar is to your left - you actually walk into the bar area facing a roaring fire in winter which heats up the pub nicely. Above the fireplace is the specials board and main menu. The choices are not expansive, but they are wholesome and traditional (a single vegetarian choice available. Ask if landlady is there and she may well do you something else). Prices are a little steep for what you get - jacket potato and beans £3.25! Drinks were also a little pricey, with a pint each of 49'er and Best, plus a half of best coming to £5!! Food is served lunch and evenings. The seating is at square tables and chairs, all dark wood and traditional in pubs. Access for the disabled is good and there is only a small step to negotiate and double doors are available on to the carpark should you require them. Toilets are clean, though there is no disabled access. A dartboard is available and they are part of the local league, but there is no TV. Very close to the town shops and the railway station. No accommodation here.

Other pubs in Poole

Royal Oak and Gas Tavern, Skinner Street, Poole. (01202) 672022 (4 real ales plus food)

The Lord Wimborne, 59 Lagland Street, Poole, Dorset. (01202) 493290

The Quay, 21 The Quay, Poole, Dorset. (01202) 664380 - Wetherspoon.

See Parkstone for other local pubs close by.