The Arch, Sherborne

Large modern pub café in redevelopment behind frontage of old coaching inn. Several interconnecting rooms, all fairly open plan with bright, clean décor. Enclosed courtyard outdoor area at rear. Badger ale on handpump and lengthy food menu. Ok if that is what you are looking for, but far from a traditional pub.

Previously The Swan, the Arch has been redecorated, renamed and reborn, but it isn't yet sure what it is - part pub,part cafe, part wine bar, it tries to do all three but, like most compromises,it isn't brilliant at any of them. The staff are friendly and welcoming, the food is quite good, and the new decor is a high standard and the hard-of-thinking clientele referred to by BobOs have gone, so it is definitely an improvement. There was one ale on, Badger Best, but it wasn't the best Best I've had. This is a good place to bring friends and relatives for lunch (which we do), but it doesn't really have the atmosphere for an evening's libation. Maybe things will get better when it's a bit older.

Funny how a pretty good pub can be turned into a rough dive in a few years. This place used to feature in all our regular Sherborne crawls but the place now seems like an overflow of druggies and yobs from the Cross Keys down the road. The beer was awful as well - I certainly won't be back. Bloody awful place - 1 out of 10 is too high a rating.