Square and Compass  

This is a real walkers pub as it sits on the Jurasic Coast of Dorset near Swanage and on the coastal path to Lulworth Cove and durdle Door.

It's a Purbeck Stone inn and sits facing the headland. More like a house than a pub you notice that it as a 'mish mash' of stones outside, used both for seating and for decoration - particularly note the large round stone table in the front garden. This is the beer garden - with water trough for thirsty dogs.

You enter through an unassuming door in the centre of the property. The bar is directly ahead of you (although there is a hatch to the side. The staff tend to 'tout' for business here at busy times across the bar door.

Beers are kept on stillage where you can see them and although there are pumps, beer tends to be drawn by hand. They had three beers on including the regular Ringwood Best. The guests this time were Dorset gold and Old Freddy Walker.

The Square also serves real cider and has a selection of bottled continental beers. This fits in with the pubs beer and cider festivals held on a regular basis.

There are two seating areas - which fill up quickly at weekends. To the right is the bigger of the two rooms with large tables and chairs and a real fire of course. To the left is the smaller room with what could be described as a boiler for heating, but check it out for its originality. The large fireplace is complemented by the low ceiling and pictures on the walls. Both areas have flag/tile floors which are slightly uneven.

Food is served here but is only home-made pies and pasties, vegan option available.

Unfortunately it is a small pub and so wheelchair users will have problems.

The toilets are outside and are nippy in winter.

To the far left of the bar is a museum set up by the landlord to show off all his finds on the coastline - take a peek if you have come this far.

Would recommend this pub in an instant, though prices on a par with London.

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