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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Sunday, 15th September 2013
With picture contributions to 5437 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (14 more images)
Detail Pages
The Benett Arms, Shaftesbury
Semley
Postal town: Shaftesbury
SP7 9AS
Served areas
Reviews of The Benett Arms (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Ian Mapp left this review about The Benett Arms
Gah! I so wanted to like this, but can only report as I find. Ticks all the boxes for me in terms of age, quaintness and location. They had me at "popular with walkers". We finished our 5miles walk. Entered down the steps to see a book case full of GBG editions and a chalk board compelling joining up. Small front bar, with a choice of three hand pulls. After some discussion and ignoring the Exmoor Ales (what so many Exmoor Ales in Wiltshire?) I went for a Salcombe Life Saver (again, why so many Salcombe beers in Wiltshire).
Took a sip and although it wasnt the worse pint I have ever had, there was a hint of vinegar and it was very cloudy. True enough, I noticed the barlady then fiddling with a screwdriver. Off came the clip and 10 minutes of pulling the next barrel through. All whilst she looked directly at me.
I should have asked for an alternative. She should have offered without being asked.
5 stars for the chips. They were amazing.
On 12th September 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Benett Arms
A wonderful 17th Century village pub, refurbished a few years ago and well described by Quinno, below. The bar is comfortable and cosy, the staff very welcoming, the customers a friendly mix of locals and ale fans. Food is freshly cooked and is a mix of standard dishes and seasonal specials. The pub has won several CAMRA awards. Always 3 ales on draft, this visit saw beers from Yeovil, Ringwood and Keystone, all in excellent condition. There was also a cider on offer. Well worth seeking out for food and ale.
On 26th October 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3517 recommendations about 3481 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Benett Arms
Unusual looking edifice, with interesting windows and built in an attractive light-coloured stone. It’s down some steps to enter, past some books and music for sale as well as all the local literature on the right. This enters onto the main bar which is quite dark and atmospheric. Décor of exposed brick, flagstone floor and inglenook fire with wood burning stove. Unusual sight in the corner of a bearded mannequin presumably dressed up as a jolly farmer, holding aloft a goblet and surrounded by soft toy farmyard animals. To the left up some steps are two further rooms, a small semi-lounge and rather more spartan dining area which seems rather cut-off from the atmosphere of the pub. Three ales available from the unusual semi-circular bar, all local (two Sixpenny Brewery and Ringwood Best). My Sixpenny Addlestone was in good nick. Pickled eggs at the bar for 50p, barmaid remembered to offer crisps as an additional extra. Some notable outside features include a boules pitch and a lovely grassed drinking area over the road with church views. Got chatting to a local outside who was welcoming. The barmaid also popped out to take a photo of our coach “we always say that there must be a coach-load of people turning up when it gets busy but this is the first time we’ve ever actually had one!” All-in-all, pretty good and it’s worth a detour to check out.
On 15th September 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Benett Arms
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- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Benett Arms - whatpub.com
Gillingham (Dorset), 6.12 miles, 1 hr 58 min walk (show)
Warminster, 13.71 miles, 4 hr 24 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes last updated 03 September 2016 by E TA
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 15 September 2013 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 03 September 2016 by E TA
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : Yes last updated 30 December 2014 by Dave McNally
- Micropub : No last updated 03 September 2016 by E TA
- Pinball : No last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 03 September 2016 by E TA
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 15 September 2013 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 April 2014 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 03 September 2016 by E TA
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