The Boot, Chapelhay, Weymouth

Not much I can add to the detailed descriptions below. We enjoyed a lively, friendly visit which coincided with Open Mic night, so it was quite crowded and loud, while the acts were of mixed ability ranging from talented guitarist to tone-deaf depressive. A dog joined in with the latter, improving it immensely. By far the best guitar playing of the evening was the lady compere’s warming up and tuning. The acts just got worse as time went on, so we left earlier than planned. Being a Marston’s pub, the ales on were Razorback, 49er, Oxford Gold, Brakspear’s and Hobgoblin Gold, all in excellent condition. The keg range was Guinness, Carlsberg, Thatcher’s Gold and Haze, Moretti and San Miguel. It’s a great no-frills town boozer, well worth a visit and good for a crawl.

Situated a short distance from the centre of Weymouth and the harbour area, this old pub has a more authentic and local feel than some of the more tourist-centric pubs a short walk away. Claiming to be the oldest pub in town dating from the 17thC, there is an instant feel of age on entering the low beamed ceilinged main bar. The long and narrow building extends from here in each direction, left and right where it returns slightly, having a carpeted lounge type area with a log burning stove, a dartboard (needing a table moving if to be used) and a pair of alcoves one end; a snug-like separate section at the other end has a ship's wheel on the wall. Windows are leaded with coloured stained glass writing depicting the former separate rooms. The beers come from a row of ten handpumps with some doubled up, all from the Marston's stable but with the beermats along the beams suggesting a guest policy may exist. Ringwood Fortyniner, Boondoggle, Old Thumper, Razorback plus a Thatcher's cider. Food seemed to consist of the usual bar nibbles plus large pork pies for £3 a go. The pub was warm, busy and chatty late on Saturday afternoon with a number of dogs trotting around or dozing by the fire. I liked it in here very much.