The Hare & Hounds, Bridport

As described by Old Boots below, this excellent village pub has plenty of rural charm and does indeed sit in a very picturesque spot. The carpark is gravelled, and there’s a lawned garden with pleasant views over the Dorset countryside. The pub’s distance from the main road – the splendid isolation – means that it’s grockle-free, just the locals and a few inquisitive passers-by here. The food is home coked, freshly sourced from local outlets, and very good value for money as pub grub goes. The pub is currently owned by Palmers, so the beer selection is less than exciting – IPA, Dorset Gold and Copper, plus First Press cider. The beer was very well kept, though, so no complaints about quality. The landlord and landlady were very welcoming, chatty and the atmosphere was convivial. There were almost as many canine customers as human. A very enjoyable visit and one I should be most happy to repeat.

Splendid isolation perhaps sums up this excellent three room village pub. The flag floored main bar is bracketed by a seating area with leather sofas to one side and a plainly decorated dining room to the other. Friendly staff and regulars, a typical village pub atmosphere hangs in the air. A little too much furniture in the dining room but the main bar is a very pleasant room to enjoy the Palmers beers; IPA on a pump and Dorset Gold straight from the cask. It supposedly has a good garden and super views over the valley but it was dark with low cloud when we visited.