The Bakers Arms, Poole

This is a large, rambling roadside pub on the fringes of the village, that works best as a stop-off point for anyone heading down towards the Isle of Purbeck, positioned as it is, at the end of the last bit of dual-carriageway before the inevitable summer traffic jams appear on the roads beyond. I used to go to school just up the road from here and on our final day of sixth-form, my mates and I snuck off to this pub during our lunch period and ended up staying until closing – an eleven hour drinking session which culminated in me winning a raffle I hadn’t even realised I’d entered! Back then, despite having a clear restaurant area, the pub still very much felt like a place you could come and enjoy a few pints, but a couple of recent visits have revealed a pub that is almost entirely given over to dining, or at least that was the impression at the times we visited. The front part of the pub which houses the servery and a number of carpeted seating areas filled with corporate looking decor and furniture, are ostensibly the drinking areas but during food service times, they fill up with diners, as the massive car park can often be chock full from people travelling here for a bite to eat, especially on Sunday afternoons. The other side of the pub, much of which is an extension into an area which would once have formed part of the proprietor’s lodgings and garden, is a pure restaurant space, winding its way through a series of notional rooms, some of which retain the feel of the bar area, whilst others have a more modern, lighter touch to them. We had food on one of our recent visits and I have to say it was pretty good and went some way to explaining the pub’s popularity. The beer situation is a little less appealing. Three of the five handpulls were in operation, dispensing Fullers London Pride, Adnams Ghost Ship and Ringwood Razorback, with two reversed clips, one of which was Sharps Doom Bar. My pint of Ghost Ship was in fair condition, but nothing to really write home about. This pub holds lots of memories for me, as it was one of our main meeting points during my formative drinking years, but it doesn’t strike me as the sort of place I’d want to visit for a few pints anymore and it’s perhaps no coincidence that it has been many years since I’d lest set foot in here. Give it a try if you want some hearty grub or indeed if you’re stuck in the village (it trumps the St Peter’s Finger on beer choice alone), but don’t go out of your way otherwise.

A country pub just outside Poole, popular with townies but has managed to retain some country charm despite being made open plan; even the original fireplace has been knocked through sympathetically, and it has kept some of its old timbers. There is a mix of new flagstones and bland carpet. It’s an old building, first used as a pub in 1851 and is currently owned by Vintage Inns. It has a good reputation locally for its food and ales. There is a huge car park with, strangely, a large number of spaces reserved for ‘disabled’ people; when I inquired I was told that being legless didn’t count. There is also a ‘dog station’, a strong point where dogs can be chained up outside with plenty of water. They claim to be a gastro pub, but the food was nothing more than upmarket pub grub. The staff appear overworked, but they were friendly enough, while a lot of the customers appeared to expect too much and whinged a lot. The atmosphere is pleasant, there are various framed prints and a collection of pump clips adorning the walls and, oddly, a gaming machine which was wholly unobtrusive. Two ales on, both very well kept especially the Tribute which was in excellent condition. It is quite contrived, but oddly I found myself liking it, and I’d be happy to come back here to drink anytime.

Official site of the Bakers Arms, includes menu and real ale list - www.vintageinn.co.uk

Official site of the Bakers Arms, includes menu and real ale list - www.vintageinn.co.uk

I think the chef has changed now but as far as I know, the food is excellent and home cooked. I haven't been but a friend said it was "proper" food, the landlord and landlady are the same and the karaoke and music nights are very popular.

Hope this is the correct picture, I took it years ago. Looks nice though. It wasn't the right one so I've removed it. Sorry.