Beefeater Smugglers Haunt, Ferndown

A roadside Beefeater with a Premier Inn attached. Part of the pub is the original 19th Century part-thatched building, which as been extended and modernised quite sympathetically, although the addition of the hotel part has overshadowed the good work. There is, predictably, a large car park at the front with easy access to the main road, but it remains relatively quiet. The front rooms of the pub are quite modern, a mix of tiles and carpets with large ope fireplaces, a little bti contrived but comfortable enough. The rear L-shaped bar is much more drinker-friendly, more peaceful and not a bad place to sit and have a quiet pint. There is a TV showing Sky news, and there is allegedly WiFi, but it wasn’t working. Food is the usual Beefeater selection of roast cardboard and trans-fat sauces, but the beer was a nice surprise – three ales on the handpumps alongside the usual megakeg suspects. Two Ringwood beers and Sharp’s Atlantic, all in good condition but served too cold. Staff were friendly and helpful, the locals were a reasonable bunch, the tourists were easy enough to ignore. Not a bad place to stop when travelling to or from Bournemouth.

Fairly typical main road Beefeater, but bar is nice enough and it keeps a very good pint of Ringwood Best.