The Spyglass, Weymouth

The Spyglass is found up a steep hill off the Preston Road to the east of Weymouth Town. This is a freehouse carvery pub so the car park is large and it was busy when I visited around dinnertime midweek about a month ago. The food is dirt cheap at £4.75 for a roast (£7.25 on Sundays), but I didn’t eat here so cannot comment on the value for money aspect. To the left of the entrance is a seating area that houses a plasma screen that was showing Olympic coverage. I also saw a sign for Sky Sports so the football is shown when it is on. Beyond this seating area is the bar which is located on the left hand wall and faces a large dining area and conservatory. The dining area was full of families who seemed happy enough with their carved meat and vegetables. Beyond the bar at the rear of the pub is another small seating area that leads to a large patio seating area at the rear where there is also a small children’s climbing frame. The rear exterior is probably the major draw of the pub to non-diners as the views across the bay are very good. The bar supports five hand pumps that were drawing Dorset Brewing Company’s Durdle Door, Yachtsman and Jurassic alongside Sharp’s Doom Bar and Piddle Brewery’s Piddle which was settling. There is also a mix of premium and standard draught and I found the barmen to be polite enough. I’d have no problem returning here for a spot of lunch or dinner with the family and a pint or two out the back on a summer’s afternoon would be very pleasant. However, this isn’t the sort of place I would turn up to for a pint on my own on a wet November week night as I found the interior lacking in character and a little depressing.

The Spyglass looks like a 30s built pub with a flat roof,the pub is high up on the cliffs and has great views over Weymouth bay looking towards Weymouth and Portland. We went in a very large room and there were five real ales on the bar i had a drink of Ringwood fortyniner which was a very nice drink the other beers were Smiles bitter, Weymouth Quay bitter, Courage Directors and GK Abbot. The pub lets children in and i thought it was a decent pub to stop off at on the walk back from Bowleaze market. Pub visited 19 August 2002.

A cream and French mustardy coloured exterior for this slighly modern Mediterranean villa looking carvery and pub overlooking the sea. It has a patio area. The interior is an open plan room, which is generally all foody based, with a serving bar to the left and the carvery serving area to the right and added seating in the conservatory. The decor is a mix, depending on which part you are in; red, red brick, red patterneed wallpaper, cream and wood panel feature, with a white ceiling> There isn't too much in the way of ephemera - arty pictures, mirrors and dried fruit in bowls. The TV had Sky News and the music was general and at a decent level. It is a family place, so that is what the clientele consisted of and the service was fine. The food was functional at best to be honest; underdone carrots and overdone roasters - you get what you pay for! Beer; tap stuff with Ruddles, Spitfire and a decent pint of St Austell Tribute on handpull - the Doombar wasn't on sadly. A basic place really, but at least it does real ale. I can't see myself rushing back though.