The Oak, Dorchester

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A sympathetically renovated country pub in a picturesque but working village, previously owned by Hall and Woodhouse, whose plaque can still be seen on the wall at the front, now a freehouse. The interior has retained its character despite the renovations, and now has newish wooden flooring throughout, some areas of pine panelling on the walls and wood burning stoves to warm the draughty bars. The front two rooms have been knocked through to form a large, L-shaped bar with tables for diners as well as plenty of vertical drinking space. There is also a dartboard in a cabinet, but it didn't look like it was used much, there was no ocky and there was a table placed under it. The rear room has been retained as a village bar with a pool table, tv screen and separate, small counter. The locals were a full cross-section of the village, the staff were friendly and very welcoming, dogs were welcomed. Food was excellent, simple, well cooked and reasonably priced. The beer justifies the GBG entry: Plains Ales's Hairy Hooker, Butcombe's Rare Breed and Piddle's Martyr on draft plus a real cider, all in first class condition. An excellent pub, definitely worth making an effort to find (even stay over, as they do B&B) and somewhere I'd be happy to while away many hours.

On 23^rd November 2015 - rating: 10
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