The Poet Laureate, Dorchester

Much as described by BF, below. Parking in the street outside was fairly easy. It felt much more shabby than I thought it would – frayed furniture and battered fittings as you might expect in an older town pub. It just hasn’t worn well. The barmaid was friendly enough but it was clear that the locals weren’t that keen on visitors. No real or craft ale and no real cider on draft, just megakeg and a selection of bottled ales. The bottles were extraordinarily expensive. Not a pub about which to wax lyrical.

Walking through the modern development of old style houses that is Poundbury and passing the Village Stores,I got the overwhelming sensation that I was on the set of The Prisoner,it's all so fake and weird.The Poet Laureate is designed to look like an old brew house,but all the windows are upvc and it was opened in 2002 by Prince Charles.It has an open plan interior,a high ceiling but a souless feel.Opposite the L shaped bar and some settles,to the left a side room with leather chairs and sofas while to the right the pub opens out into a larger dining area.The smell of frying fat pervaded the interior and the harsh lighting gave the impression of a chain pub where the owners didn't care. There were 4 handpumps but only Doom Bar and Ringwood Best Bitter (£3.30,faint tang at end of the pint) available on my trip .There were a number of drinkers in,food doesnt dominate but is probably more of a driver.Can't see any reason for a revisit ,but if you are a resident of Poundbury it's Hobson's choice.