The Coach House, Dorchester

I popped into the Coach House Inn for a spot of lunch when passing through on a recent Tuesday. A sign in the entrance asks visitors to wait to be seated and I was greeted by one of the friendly staff straight away. I was led to the L-shaped bar to the right of the entrance where I sat at one of the high tables between the bar counter and front windows. Further right were standard height tables and chairs. No television was seen, but some background music was playing. A chalkboard on the wall was advertising live music (singer and pianist) every Sunday afternoon and also bands on some Saturday evenings. A premium selection of keg is found on the bar that also support five handpumps which were drawing St Austell’s Tribute, Otter’s Amber and Wild Beer Company’s Bibble. The remaining two handpumps were off, but I did see that one of them was St Austell’s Proper Job. To the left of the entrance is a dining area and in the left rear is a large dining/function room, which I imagine hosts the bands on the selected Saturday evenings. I plumped for a cheese and tomato panini which was very nice. I forget the price, but the cheeseburger is priced at £14.95. The doors open for at 08:00 for breakfast which is served until 11:00. There are also food deals throughout the week. This roadside pub is too dry led for me to consider going only for a beer, but this is dictated by its location. I’d have no problem popping back in for lunch again.

Formerly The Coach and Horses, this large roadside inn has been substantially renovated in recent years and is now a bright, airy pub and restaurant with a modern feel, in a good way.  The original Victorian building has been reconfigured inside, removing most of the downstairs walls to form a single, albeit compartmentalised, area.  The main dining area is on the left as you go in the main front door, and there is a bar area and lounge on the right, and there are open fires to make it feel a bit more homely, in contrast to the mural paintings which were just a bit twee.  They offer B and B, and there is a modern function room.  It’s pleasant, comfortable and fairly peaceful, though maybe weekends in the Summer might be different as it’s on a main holiday route and has a large car park.  Food is mainly pub grub with supplemental menus for children and people with eating disorders, and croissants were available at the bar along with tea and coffee.  It’s a freehouse, but it was a bit disappointing to see 5 handpumps with only 2 ales on, both from Sandbanks Brewery – Sandbanks Bitter and Back in Black.  That said the beers were well-kept and enjoyable.  There were also 4 craft ales – Cubic, Meantime LPA, Blue Moon and Tarka Four.  Three ciders, Peroni, Asahi and Guinness completed the line-up.  The barman was cheerful and helpful, while the landlady could best be described as grumpy.  I quite enjoyed my pit stop here and would repeat it in the future.