The Rising Sun, Shaftesbury

Loved the last review. It does seem like that sort of place. Wokeness stops me from describing the other punter here today. The pub is much extended from a small terraced roadside pub on the A30. Just one real ale on, but the Exmoor Fox was in fine condition and confirmed my thinking that it was not Exmoor Gold I had had in my previous pub. Landlady was incredibly friendly and the fish finger sandwich excellent. Only three other customers on a Saturday lunchtime. What else can I tell you? Unusually open Monday but not Tuesday?Wednesday. Apparently, most other pubs close on Mondays, so they are looking for a gap in the market.

Built in 1733, this freehouse was previously owned by Enterprise. The building has limited parking at the front, and is a beamed cottage. As you enter, The Slaughtered Lamb comes to mind: locals are hostile, while the pub dog (visiting dogs are not permitted), a large German shepherd, makes it clear that you are not at the top of the food chain here. The staff were rather more friendly, and eventually, once the yokels had gone, both landlady and dog were much more civilised. The other occupant of the pub on this occasion was a caged parrot called Daisy who didn't want to be there. The single bar is divided into two areas by a flooring change – carpeted on the right, which along with the domestic clutter and the parrot's cage, feels more like someone's grannie's front room. The other side is much more pub-like, with flagstone floor, stone fireplace and a mix of seating. Two ales on – I had a pint of Tolchard's Devon Storm, a strong ale which was a very good pint and really hit the spot. Worth dropping in if passing.