The Frampton Arms, Dorchester

A former village pub dating from the 1840s and built for the railway trade, which has been substantially renovated into a small hotel offering B&B, restaurant food and reasonable ale. There is a large garden at the rear and a car park by the road. Inside, there is a pool room and a conservatory used as a dining room, plus the main bar formed from smaller rooms, well decorated with a homely feel enhanced by the open fire. They serve breakfast and coffee in the mornings, and though we were told by the rather surly barmaid that we couldn’t order alcohol before 12.00, they seemed content to offer some locals the privilege – the landlady laughed this off, but it was clear we were not considered part of their normal demographic. The ale was in good condition when we eventually got served – Doombar, London Pride and Affpuddle Bitter, all enjoyable. It’s convenient for the railway station and would a good place to stay over, but given the frosty reception I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to come back for an evening.

This large extended pub has a large restaurant, bed and breakfast facilities, and a private skittles alley with its own bar. The front of the pub was used in a Top Gear episode when Clarkson, Hammond & May went on a camping holiday.

Official site of the Frampton Arms - www.framptonarms.co.uk

Official site of the Frampton Arms - www.framptonarms.co.uk