The Fontmell , Shaftesbury

Official site of The Fontmell - www.ourvillagepub.com

Official site of The Fontmell - www.ourvillagepub.com

A large village pub, formerly The Crown, in a former Georgian residence with a disused brewery built on the side. It is on the main road, has a large gravel car park and offers B&B. There are a few wooden benches outside. Inside there is a L-shaped room made from 3 former public rooms. The main bar area resembles a drawing room with comfy chairs, while a conjoined dining room is dominated by a single, large wooden table and a big tv screen on the wall. At the back there is a dining area, while beyond that is a modern extension which resembles a library, separated from the main part of the building by a large stream which is covered and incorporated into the dining room. The thing that most lets down the whole image is the bar counter which is tacky in comparison to the rest of the fittings. The staff are civilised and friendly, while the majority of the clientele are best described as genteel. The latter talked about golf much too loudly. The pub is dog-friendly. Food is award-winning but expensive. There were 2 ales on – I had the Butcombe's Bitter which was well kept, served at the right temperature and a thoroughly decent point. Worth dropping in if passing or staying for an overnight pit-stop.