The Royal Oak, Dorchester

Stumbled into the village, after a walk under the giant and through the abbey grounds. This was the first pub I noticed and it looked too enticing to pass by. Built 1540 on the sign. Detached and covered in Ivy at the front. Warm day, so most were outside, including a spare table that I soon gobbled up. Inside, low ceilings, long bar, dark. Just the way I like my pubs. Two ales on and I went for a half of Legless Jest from the Cerne Abbey brewery. Shame the brewery is closed on a Sunday, otherwise I would have added the tap room onto the intinery.

A small town pub with a well-deserved GBG entry. The building is 16th Century and thatched, and reportedly built from stone and timber robbed from the nearby abbey when it was sacked by Henry VIII. There is a small private garden at the rear, but no car park. The traditional interior is as described by BF, below. The barman was friendly, and there was a chatty cadre of locals; indeed the locals outnumbered the tourists on this occasion, but I can imagine that this isn’t always the case. Ales on were Fine Tuned Sunshine Reggae, Landlord, Bath Gem and a local wheat beer, plus a boxed cider on the bar. The pint of Sunshine Reggae I had was one of the bets beers I’ve had in a long time, in perfect condition. Being on the tourist trail affects their food and beer prices, though, and the overall VFM is questionable. I’d still be happy to come here for their ale.

The oldest of the three pubs in the village ,there is a beautiful interior with flag stone floors,wood panelling ,comfortable settles,benches ,tables and upright chairs and a bar which is in the middle of the pub along the left hand wall.Hall and Woodhouse ales,Badger Bitter and Tangelfoot and a standard pubco menu which doesnt quite live up to the ornate interior,although there are seafood specials like local crab and oysters.There is a small,suntrap courtyard at the rear for outside drinking.Friendly welcome but more popular with tourists than locals,yet well worth having a look around this old inn.