The Blue Raddle, Dorchester

Friendly traditional pub in Dorchester town centre. A number of ales available, including local brews in addition to the ever-drinkable Doombar. Comfortable seating in the one-room bar, which was busy with locals as well as our visiting contingent. I liked this place a fair bit and would return.

A small cottage styled end terraced pub, eatery and music venue, in cream render with blue paint work. The pub is in the GBG 2010. It has a no entry policy for 'small humans - under 14s', although dogs are permitted! The interior is an open plan L-shaped room, though with a couple of areas, curving around the serving bar. The decor is a cream and green patterned wallpaper, with dark red wood panel and a white ceiling and a couple of black and tiled fireplaces. There is an eclectic mix of ephemera, from an old trunk to copper kettles and lots of old local photographs and of presumably local people, as well as sheep paintings - hence blue raddle (colouring used to mark sheep for identification) and a pump clip collection behind the bar. There is a dart board, though you may have to move a bit of furniture. The place does food, but i didn't eat so i couldn't comment on that. The service was really good and friendly and the clientele were mainly local it seemed. There was no TV that i saw and the background music was general and a decent level. Beer; tap tuff, with Sharpe's Doombar, Otter Bitter, Ennerdale's Breeze, Moonstone's Reel Ale and Sheep Dip, their house brew. All were sampled as half-pints and all we well kept and decent The best pub in Dorchester as far i was concerned. I could sit here all day, supping and reading, pausing to eat. Try it - please.