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Shave Cross Inn, Bridport
Shave Cross
Postal town: Bridport
DT6 6HW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Shave Cross Inn
Well away from the beaten track, this wonderful country pub takes some finding, but it’s well worth the effort. Still much as described by Old Blue 9 years ago, though it’s been slightly modernised since then, in a sympathetic way which maintains its character. The current landlord, who took the pub over during the Spring this year, is enthusiastic, helpful and engaging. Food was basic but good value given the current operating difficulties. We sat in the garden, under a large marquee which covers the lawn, finding it pleasant and convivial; locals were happy to chat. The beer was excellent – Cerne Abbas Blonde, Branscombe Summathis, Butcombe Original and a home brewed IPA, whose name I have forgotten. Ales were available in flights as well as pints. I’m very keen to come back when I next get the opportunity and I’d thoroughly recommend dropping in for a beer or four if in the area.
On 11th August 2020
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3289 recommendations about 3254 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about Shave Cross Inn
This charming thatched inn is apparently 700 years old and was a resting place for pilgrims and monks on their way to the church in Whitfield Canonicorum in Edward III’s reign. The name comes from the tonsure trimming which took place while the monks stayed here. Nowadays you enter not by the front but through an archway at the side to the delightful garden, and on entering the pub the bar is in front of you, with pub areas either side, a doorway to the ‘Shavers Restaurant’ to the far left, and to the far right another door takes you to a long room housing what is apparently the country’s oldest thatched skittle alley, as well as a pool table and jukebox.
As a free house it makes a welcome change from the many Palmers’ establishments in the area. Its three ale pumps were serving Branscombe Vale’s Branoc (at £3.00) Four M’s (at £3.20) and Quay’s Marshwood Vale when we visited, which we variously drank and enjoyed. The menu was very impressive and included several dishes demonstrating the pub’s Caribbean connections, including Guyanese goat curry and Caribbean jerk chicken salad. Not cheap, but the exquisitely blended flavours in the latter made it well worth the £12.95 price tag.
A fascinating blend of old and new, this 5-star rated inn is quite remote, hidden several miles of country lane from anywhere else, but is certainly worth seeking out.
Our recent visit happened to coincide with the Wessex Morris Men (of which the landlord Roy appears to be one) in action in the garden, after which we found ourselves surrounded by them as we finished our meal in what was evidently their favourite room. Slightly disconcerting at first, but they won us over and we ended up thoroughly enjoying a bit of a knees-up with them.
The pub is also a ‘mobile free zone’ - keen to abide by the spirit of things I volunteered the £1.00 fine because of the way I had taken notes for this review.
On 3rd September 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]