The New Inn, Dorchester

Decent, brick built village pub, apparently dating back to 1851 and originally known as the Three Horseshoes. The main pub is rectangular, with the entrance and the bar opposite each other to the middle, seating at one end and past the fireplace a dartboard and pool table at the other end. Decor is quite simple and tasteful (over-decoration in pubs always irks me), seating traditional, and there is a fresh and clean feel to the place. Outside, an archway (through which you drive to the car park) leads to another building which I understand houses an old skittle alley, being restored by the new landlords who have only been here about five weeks and have been making a lot of improvements. There is a traditional garden to the rear, mainly grassed and with some decking. Amongst the drinks on offer, three ale pumps offered Tribute, Doombar and the other had Wadworth 6X on my first visit this week, Otter Ale on my second, and Tetley’s jubilee brew Hop and Glory came on the third visit. I noted paying £3.10 for a pint. Beer quality was good. I didn’t have a chance to eat here but would have liked to do so. I really liked this place, it was certainly one of the most welcoming and friendly I found during my week in Dorset, and unlike many was also a lively place to come for drinks, banter etc towards the end of the evening after the diners have left. I’d definitely come back here again, in fact I did so several times.

Official site of the New Inn - www.newinnwestknighton.co.uk