Sly Fox, Weymouth

Very large family-orientated pub conveniently situated on the A243, with a large wooden children’s play fort on a safe surface and two slides in the very nice garden to the rear. Sadly the beer has gone downhill since Soup Dragon’s visit. The two banks of two hand pulls this week each offered Palmers Copper Ale and had a Palmers 200 clip reversed. The barman claimed it wasn’t worth putting 200 on as no-one drank it and it just went bad. Both our pints of Copper Ale tasted of soap, on being told which the barman was insistent that people had been drinking it all the previous day and no-one had complained (the obvious explanation of inadequately rinsed glasses completely escaping him). This may be a good place to bring your family, but I didn’t find it a good place for a beer and I wouldn’t come back again unless I had reason to believe it had improved.

A large multi-building pub and restaurant, in undressed stone and brick, with more extensions than Victoria Beckham's hair, and a large beer garden and kiddies play area. The interior is mainly set out for food with a large central bar area jutting forth like an oasis of 'beer' in a sea of tables. There are however, family areas and adult areas in what is a large generally open plan interior. We didn't eat here, so i can't comment on that, but the food seemed fine and was an average of £11 for a main meal. The decor is a mix of red, cream, undressed stone and brick, with lots of jugs, pictures and prints to give the place a traditional feel despite its size. The service was very friendly and i had a decent chat to the gaffer. The clientele were diners and it was well attended - as i said, there was no real 'bar' area - so drinkers like me are at the serving bar, or outside on a nice day. Beer; tap stuff along with Spitfire on handpull, as well as a decent Palmers Copper Ale, Ringwood bitter and 49er. An excellent example of a family dining pub. A better and varied choice of beer than to be expected perhaps. Try it - it would be nice to hear how the food is!