Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Sunday, 25th June 2017
With picture contributions to 9888 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (2 more images)
Requested be closed with reason - Other: closed down - notice on door
Detail Pages
The Woodpecker, Blandford Forum
Spetisbury
Postal town: Blandford Forum
DT11 9DJ
Served areas
Reviews of The Woodpecker (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Woodpecker
Appealing roadside pub in a small village attracting both local residents and the passing trade. Partly opened-out at some stage to leave the main seating / dining area by the entrance, a central bar area and further small seating area beyond - all refurbished in a slightly more modern style than one might expect. Also has picnic tables along the frontage (which must be noisy from the traffic) and to one side. Four handpumps on the counter, offering Flack's Double Drop, Butcombe Union, Summer Lightning and Sixpenny IPA (£1.80, half).
On 16th April 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Woodpecker
Located on the busy A350, this is a classic roadside pub, formerly known as the Drax Arms, after a local family whose large estate is just a short drive away. Following a short period of closure, the pub has reinvented itself as a friendly freehouse called The Woodpecker. The pub has a single room layout, but with three clearly defined areas running from left to right. You enter into a nice seating area with a fireplace acting as a focal point on one wall and a decent amount of seating. There is a bar billiards table in the front corner and a few other traditional pub games and board games can be found stacked nearby. From here you pass into the main bar area with the servery running along the back wall with some banquette and standard seating opposite in a nice, cosy area. Moving into the right hand part of the pub, there is a dedicated seating area in a small raised section with limited space. I usually head out for a Sunday roast whenever I'm back in Dorset with my family so I've sampled a good many from pubs across the county, but the roast we enjoyed here surpassed just about all those that have preceded it and at £9 is pretty good value for money too. The staff seemed like a really friendly bunch, encouraging us to return on a Friday or Saturday evening, when they ensure us a good crowd is guaranteed, although there were plenty in enjoying their lunches during our stay. In summer months, a sizeable outdoor area is available including benches with large umbrellas which were handy to shelter under before making our way back to the car.
The pub won the East Dorset CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year award earlier this year, and four relatively local ales were available at the bar to back this up. The options on our visit were Butcombe Gold, Palmers Dorset Gold, Hop Back Summer Lightning and Flack Manor Double Drop. I tried the Palmers and Hop Back beers and found both were in excellent condition. A selection of CAMRA literature was available in the window sills of the first two sections of the pub.
This is a really great village pub and well worth a look whether you live locally or are just passing by. I thought the place was very welcoming and that there was a nice ambiance, despite the predominance of diners during our visit, and I will do my best to make a return visit sooner rather than later.
On 13th November 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Woodpecker
Formerly The Drax Arms, after a local family of that name, The Woodpecker is now the only pub remaining in Spetisbury. It's an early Victorian building, the two front bars having been knocked into a single large, yet still cosy room. It is mostly carpeted and has a mix of furniture which makes it feel homely. It's been refurbished in a modern style, though the dried hops around the walls give a nod to old traditions and a country pub air, while the coffee machine and bar billiard table form an unlikely alliance. There is a small seating area at the front, but being on a main road it is very noisy. There is a car park at the back. Clean, well-behaved dogs and children are tolerated, while the staff and locals are all very welcoming. There were 4 ales on - Flack's Double Drop was in excellent condition. This pub is well worth a visit and a good place to spend the evening or a lazy afternoon.
On 21st April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Woodpecker
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Woodpecker - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : Yes last updated 21 April 2013 by David McNally
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 08 July 2015 by E TA
- Car Park : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Darts : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Function Room : No last updated 14 September 2015 by E TA
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Jukebox : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Micropub : No last updated 08 July 2015 by E TA
- Pinball : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 21 April 2013 by David McNally
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 14 September 2015 by E TA
- WiFi : Yes last updated 08 July 2015 by E TA
