The Churchill Arms, Wimborne

This impressive Victorian building has been a pub since around 1885 and is currently a community-centric freehouse which has successfully avoided being dragged into the tourist trade that has affected so many other pubs in this area. It is a no-frills village pub with a strong local cadre. The car park, not huge but adequate, provides access to the single large bar with its laminate floor, flt screen tvs, pool tables and gaming machines. The barman was no-nonsense but still welcoming, locals happy to tolerate well-behaved strangers. The banter was robust - political correctness hasn't reached this far out yet - but managed to remain just about family-friendly. Provided the family is loud, local and doesn't arrive in a caravan. Two ales on, Cotleigh Snowy and Doombar, both in good condition and most enjoyable. No food is available, it's just a good, traditional, proper village local and well worth coming to for its beer alone.