The Sixpenny Tap, Wimborne

The Sixpenny Brewery started life in Addlestone, Surrey, when it was known as the Wayland Brewery, before a move to rural Dorset in the village of Sixpenny Handley, where they operated a respected brewery and small taproom from a set of farm outbuildings on the edge of the village. In 2016, the brewery looked to expand, and ended up relocating again, this time a much shorter distance away, just outside of Cranborne. This move allowed them to open a much bigger taproom which is open seven days a week and offers a much more comfortable drinking experience than the old shed used to. This well put together bar is located in another former farm outbuilding and has nice exposed brick walls and ceiling beams, tile flooring and a conventional servery along the right hand wall. The pub has a very rustic feel thanks to hop-lined beams, light fittings made from old cartwheels and various pictures and photos relating to countryside life on the walls, not to mention the farmers stood at the bar, one of whom tried to get me to buy some of his honey! Seating is mainly in the form of sturdy benches and chairs with plenty of cushions dotted around to soften the otherwise quite hard seating. The remaining decor includes smart mirrors, a beer board and an old Sixpenny Handley village signpost, plus a few other retro bits and bobs that are well worth exploring. Outside, a sizeable patio seating area would work well in the summer months and there is a good car park behind the toilet block. There were four Sixpenny beers on handpull on this visit – 6D Best, 6D Gold, Black and IPA. My father and I both sampled the Black, which we thought was in great shape (the friendly barmaid went and put on a new cask as we arrived) and it was a shame we couldn’t stay longer to sample more of their range. Bottles are available for takeout, as are growlers and various milk bottle sizes. I really liked this place, which felt like a massive upgrade on their original bar and a great place to try some excellent ale at source. The place is quite remote and takes a fair bit of finding, but persistence will bring rewards and I’d recommend making the effort to get out and check this place out.

The business moved from its eponymous town location in 2016, effectively creating a new drinking hole while leaving Sixpenny Handley poorer. The tap is in a new building adjacent to the brewery, which sits on a former farmyard industrial complex. The buildings form a quadrangle in which there is a gravelled outside seating area with benches and tables. The bar and shop are housed in a shed-like building with a timbered vaulted ceiling and flagstone floors. There are various barrels and custom-made bits of furniture for resting your pint on, but seating is limited. Dogs are very welcome but mobile phones are banned. There were 4 6d ales on draft plus various bottled beers, and all the beers were available in take-away vessels from 2 pints to 8 gallons. Beer was predictably in perfect condition, and there was a good local atmosphere despite the remoteness of the location. Well worth a visit.