The Duchess of Cornwall Inn, Dorchester

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A modern building in the style of a Georgian hotel, but without the class despite the name, the Poundbury location and the implied association with the Prince of Wales. It sits in a commanding position overlooking a town square, clean in its line, an air of faux-grandeur which completely fails to impress anyone who remembers the Dorset countryside whose views this now blocks. Once you get inside – it took 15 minutes for the young staff member to find us a table on her SinclairZX or whatever they were using – it feels more like one of the Cosy Club chain rather than a pub in a county town. The interior is designed to impress, with its spaciousness and light. The seating areas are spread over three floors, well spaced, sterile, and taking character only from the randomly-distributed greenery hanging over the guard rails. It’s owned and operated by Hall and Woodhouse, so the only beers on are Badger, not normally an issue, but these were not well-kept and not that enjoyable – Fursty Ferret, Tanglefoot and Badger Bitter all failed to please, particularly given that they cost about 25% more than other pubs in the area charge, and the young boy waiting on took quite while to deliver them. Then they refused to take cash. Not an enjoyable visit, and one I shall not rush to repeat.

On 1^st October 2020 - rating: 5
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