The Pure Drop, Ferndown

A large red brick Marston’s pub and restaurant, previously on the main road but now by-passed and serving a residential area. It has a large carpark and a good sized, pleasant garden, plus there is an outside seating terrace with a roof and café-style seating and tables for al fresco diners. Inside is a spacious, airy bar which is carpeted and furnished for diners – no barstools or space for vertical drinking. The menu is formulaic and lacks imagination, while the quality of the food is less than impressive, primarily pre-made fast food and 1970s based stuff. There is WiFi, the pub is dog-hostile and the staff are rather unengaging. The clientele were predominantly elderly diners, interspersed with a few holiday makers whose SATNAVs had steered them off the ring road. There were three ales on, all Marstons. I had a pint of Brakspears Oxford Gold which was in very good condition, well kept and most enjoyable. It lacks atmosphere and charm, but I’d be happy to drop in for a pint when passing as their beer is actually quite good.