Square & Compass

The Newman family first took on this fine old pub over a hundred years ago and to this day, there's no bar counter. Palmers Copper and guests such as Bays Gold and Penpont Cornish Arvor and up to 13 ciders are tapped from a row of casks and passed to you in a drinking corridor through two serving hatches; several malt whiskies. A couple of basic unspoilt rooms have simple furniture on the flagstones, a woodburning stove and a loyal crowd of friendly locals; darts and shove-ha'penny. From benches (made from local stone) out in front there's a fantastic view down over the village rooftops to the sea around St Aldhelm's Head and there may be free-roaming hens, chickens and other birds clucking around your feet. A little museum (free) exhibits local fossils and artefacts, mostly collected by the current friendly landlord and his father. There are wonderful walks from here to some exciting switchback sections of the coast path above St Aldhelm's Head and Chapman's Pool - you will need to park in the public car park 100 yards along the Corfe Castle road (which has a £1 honesty box).