The Bell, Pokesdown, Bournemouth

Previously The Seaborne Hotel, this large Victorian corner pub is nicely placed opposite Pokesdown Station, at the end of a busy small shopping area, yet manages to remain a very lively local with a good community spirit. There is a small car park at the side, and there is a garden which appeared to be full of children's play apparatus. Inside, the ground floor has been knocked through to form a single, large [-shaped bar with the counter in the centre. At one end is a games area with two pool tables, while most of the dining tables are at this end. At the other end is another games area with table football. There are various TV screens dotted around showing Sky Sports. Dogs are welcomed, humans tolerated. Coffees are available, and there were 4 handpumps on the bar dispensing Sunbeam, Ringwood Best, Ringwood Fortyniner and Old Rosie, while there was a box of Dorset Sunshine Cider behind the bar. The Sunbeam was not on top form, probably at the end of its life and only just drinkable. The Ringwood beers were slightly better. A good local, and a very useful place to start or end a crawl given its proximity to the station.