please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Just returned from 3 nights in Seatown. The fish (hake) and chips was fantastic on Sunday night and, in my view, worth every penny (everyone entitled to his own etc). The Palmers Dorset Gold was also good and cost £3.80 a pint which I thought was a pretty reasonable price for what is undoubtedly a gastro-pub. Can be hard to get a table inside (they don't take reservations apparently) but there is plenty of seating outside with great views over the beach and up to Ridge Cliff. Large car park opposite which I think costs £3 (we didn't need to use it).
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Lovely situation, good food and good facilities but hugely overpriced. £14 for fish and chips is extreme. Disappointing as I shall now be looking to eat and drink somewhere more reasonable.
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Visited at the weekend and pleased to find the ladies is now a pleasant place to go to now! However, prices seem to climb and climb and one of the bar staff was particularly unfriendly. The crab sandwich was served in an unappetising roll and tasted more of lemon than crab. The beer was fine but overall it wasn't the lovely experience I've had in the past. Perhaps a victim of it's own success?
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Although its dishes are perhaps a little overpriced, the seafood is fresh as you would like at this gorgeous pub located on the beach at Seatown and a welcome sight after a hefty trek over the cliffs from West Bay. A crab sandwich was simply executed while a pint of a special hoppy ale from local big wigs Palmer’s also hit the spot – a better brew than most that slightly average brewery purveys. What impresses most is that this pub looks like it would also be a great place to hole up in the winter.
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Well, a lot of money seems to have been spent here but I'm not quite sure what on - maybe accommodation upstairs ? (And n.b. the loos are now upstairs too, except the disabled.) The bars are still quite small, not that it matters when you can sit outside, as we did last Sunday midday. And otherwise the pub seems still pretty good. Decent menu with gluten-free options on offer.
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Re-opening tonight 16th of May - I won't get there for a few weeks
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Be warned, this pub will be closed from end Sept until 2014 for 'refurbishment'.
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Superbly situated pub down in Seatown with loads of outdoor space, if the weather isn�t great though it�s pretty small inside and it can be a struggle to get a table. As with most places in this area the beer is from Palmers but to be honest it wasn�t in the best of condition and seemed a little flat. The food was excellent though, there are numerous dishes on the specials board and as you would expect with a pub that is a stone�s throw from the sea, seafood plays a prominent part. The fish and chips was a generous portion with some good crispy batter, hake with a pea, bacon and butter sauce was delicious. The interior looked like it had seen better days and a bit of sprucing up wouldn�t go amiss (the toilets are not particularly pleasant)
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First time back here for 12 years or so. Good to see it busy but outside tables were not cleared so gave the place a messy feel. Looks as if they have cashed in on the tourist trade and sacrificed quality. Beer seemed to be brought up by pressure sad to see. A bit of a let down although the location is still stunning.
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We had a great time at this pub on a hot summers day after walking the coastpath around golden cap.
We managed to sit outside and it was busy had many pints in the sunshine watching the world go by in a simply stunning location. Ploughmans lunch was great too.
10/10
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Walked along the coastal path on New Year's Eve to arrive at the Anchor at lunchtime. It was busy then, in the summer it must be overflowing. Palmers beer was good and the food was excellent and quick given that everyone was eating. I liked the basic nature of the pub. Walking boots left on and everyone happy to find a traditional pub.
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Given its location in splendid isolation next to a huge capsite this pub could be crap and still make loads of money! Fortunately it isn't.
The food and service are always excellent and the beer well kept.
The decor is dire and considering the turnover of the pub is an apalling abuse by Palmers the owners.
The best time to go is late season when all of the fair weather chalet owners have disappeared. You can sit in front of a log fire and eat the freshest seafood, then go for a walk along the beach and watch all the mad fisherman who never seem to catch anything but fresh air and a nice view.
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The prices in here in the past have been above that for the area but have now dropped into line with the other pubs in the location, a little surprising considering the higher quality and the seaside views.If you park in the main car park it costs four pounds redeeemable if you spend twenty pounds or more in the Anchor.Sadly the Palmers Brewery ales are poor this year,the few I tried remain unfinished, fortunatelyother Brewers can be found in local Free houses.
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Such a shame, this should be one of the best pubs in the country. Needs a good clean and you can see and smell the bins from the outside garden....on the flipside it has amazing views of the jurassic coastline..
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A stunning location because of which the pub doesn't have to try very hard but excellent Palmers beers give it some redemption. Considering how profitable it must be a redecoration is long overdue!
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Wonderful location - the tables outside are highly recommended when it's even vaguely warm enough! A group of us ate there and all thought the food was very good. As others have said though, the interior could do with some attention.
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The location is wonderful, if eating outside the views are fantastic. The pub itself is tired and the outside tables do not get enough (or any) attention in between customers. The toilets are barely adequate. When we were there the ladies were smelly. The staff are friendly and quick. The food was nothing exceptional , our first plate of whitebait was severed with a very large hair in it. The ploughman�s, described as �The ultimate ploughman�s� was tasty but not over generous in size. Overall a disappointing experience.
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Smashing little boozer tucked away at end of lane with stunning location overlooking Lyme Bay.
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In about 2005 the pub changed hands and went downhill a bit. Recent visit (2, 3 & 4 June 2010) showed that it's very much improved. Beer (Palmers Best and Copper) well kept and the staff were friendly and very hard working. I was told that they've got a new chef and he certainly produced some good food: crab & nutmeg gratin; butterfly chicken breast with cider, cream and tarragon, baked cod with chorizo (it worked). lighter meals such as squid also good. definitely worth returning to.
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Easter Holidays, was steadily busy. Food was ok, Beer was ok. Hospitality was good and staff and customers making you feel welcome. Felt the pub was a little dated and in need of some TLC but led to believe that permission to do certain things was being refused. Definately has views as its main selling point and worth a visit.
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Went again during the summer and had a wondeful night. Stayed at the campsite on the hill and walked down. I had Turbot which was cooked to perfection and my wife had the half lobster. When she was ordering I said to her that it probably wouldn't be enough but when it came out it was the biggest lobster I have ever laid eyes on. The claw was bigger than my fist (and that's pretty big), it was impossible to crack open with the nut crackers they gave us so it had to be sent back to the kitchen to be opened with a sledgehammer judging by the noises.
Had a couple of pints of Palmers Copper Ale and ended the evening sitting in the dark in the cliff garden with coffee and cognac listening to the sound of the waves on the beach. Perfect.
See you in August when we will return en mass for my mates 50th.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite pubs in the country.
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A wonderful place to visit on a cold Friday lunchtime. Copper Ale in great condition - nice sandwiches and chips. And of course as everyone else says a stunning location.
Hopefully next time they'll set about lighting the fire at 12.00 p.m. rather than 1.45 pm.!
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It would be easy for a pub in such a stunning location to be overpriced and complacent, but the Anchor isn't. Efficient service even on the busiest weekend of the summer, fine food - and they even make a silk purse out of the sow's ear that is Palmers' beer.
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On Friday I walked to this pub , the beer tasted very good indeed but after those hills lager would have hit the spot! This really is a choclate box pub with the formidable Golden Cap as a background ( all 622 feet) . This pub has a large ships anchor outside, a river flowing by and is six steps from the beach with fabulous views. The food is really good, the crab sandwich is to die for. In summary this is paradise on earth.During summer several hundred tourists descend on seatown down the narrow lanes from Chideock. During Winter the electoral role boasts seventeen voters !
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Very busy but nicely buzzy on a Saturday night, lots of nice customers. The fish and chips were great! The best pub we've found locally yet. Good work!
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I visited the Anchor on a rainy saturday in July, the first visit for 10 years! It is a very nice pub, it is in an amazing location, it serves very good beer,it has so many plus points - but a few things let it down!
Firstly, the large "no muddy boots" sign ! Entirely appropriate at a restaurant or a smart pub - but at the seaside, next to a beach, on a major costal path, in a place frequented by fishermen! And then there is the hideous patterned carpet inside, taken no doubt from the ACME pub interior catalogue. Surely this pub should have an interior in keeping with its location, not one which makes it indistinguishable from a bog standard Punch Tavern!
Apart from those two minor niggles I still think that it's a nice little pub!
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Seemed pretty good today, but pricey. But then it is summer. I notice that the car park acrpss the way will refund you the �4 parking fee if you spend �20 in the pub. I can't drink THAT much and still drive!
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Just a great pub. Great beer, great food, cracking views if the sun is shining.... Hard working & cheerfull staff. What more can a beer lover ask for.
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This pub has appeared on the cover of many publications, rightly so. When I stay at eype( at least annually) the best way to get here is over the cliffs an undulating walk if ever there was one ! This is one of Britain's best pubs, beer, food, service , clientele, view and ambience make this a must if you like pubs.not too pricey nowadays.
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Busy 1st Sunday in March. Wonderful pub after a long coastal path walk. Bar fully staffed with energetic and professional chaps. Also plenty of food staff serving/clearing tables. Minimum waiting despite being busy. Food and beer excellent. Cheerful clientele in unexpected sunshine.
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Good pub all year round - Last visit was in August last year - The Palmers 200 is the best I've ever tasted.
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A great location and well worth a visit, especially out of season when the tourists are out of the way, but it gets a little overcrowded in the summer, when prices go up and quality goes down.
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Yet again a lovely lunch and good beer, possibly the best view in England also. The crab sandwiches are fab. Not the poshest pub but lovely all the same.
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Gone down hill since my last visit,decidely average food and needs a refurb.Palmers wasnt on best form either.Please dont rest on the laurels of the excellent location!
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yes, good pub, especially in summer. good Palmer's...usually. It's bound to be expensive for all the tourists.
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Great food, great position only drawback is eating outside on a windy day.
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Great location although parking a bit awkward. Palmers beer served well although very pricy (�3 for a pint of 5% bitter brewed within 5 miles of pub!!!). Landlady very very friendly.....
anonymous - 21 Oct 2007 11:31 |
Fabulous pub. Great food, great beer, unbeatable location.
Went there for some food lunchtime. I had a fabulous Boulabaise and my wife had a Lobster salad which was also lovely. Prices not cheap but not particularly expensive either.
We sat outside in the sunshine and had our lunch while our kids played on the beach a few yards away...fantastic.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
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Why do they have signs saying no muddy boots etc when there's nothing inside that could get any dirtier anyway? Lovely location but needs some work done to it and beer quality very variable.
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Had to post a note, this pub is one of our favourites in the UK, good beer, superb location and great value food, basic yes, but good enough for me and the family
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Visited at Half term.Beer was good quality.This pub however needs some tlc;toilets terrible ,handryer has cold air!Letter I missing from main signage.Looks run down please sort it out as the location is prime.
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The beer at this pub is top class; great pints of Palmers for sale. This is what a westcountry pub really is - it's not a mock-up for city ppl like sum places are. The beer garden is pretty much clifftop, with a 180-dgree viewe of the see, accross to Lyme Regis one way and to Portland Bill on the other, and itlooks straight down onto the beach only 15 yards away. We've enjoyed many summer evening pre-beach bbq drinks here and it kicks sum serious ass!!
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Caroline-osaurus! Jeepers! Food quality has taken a nosedive since David & Sadie left.
Beer too. Sadly because this pub has such lovely free views coutresy of nature, the landlady feels its OK to charge an extra 50p a pint more than a free house in Charmouth.
anonymous - 30 Nov 2006 21:46 |
Just stayed at the local campsite. Enjoyed this pub, it's like turning the clock back! Great location and friendly staff. Even had a game of connect four with the locals!! Watch out for the clock behind the bar...very confusing after a few too many!!
Wineo - 22 Aug 2006 15:06 |
Fantastic location by the beach in a small hamlet. Beer OK but expensive, but the food looked good. Beware, limited parking at the pub, and it costs �3 to park in the beach carpark.
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Was better when the previous landlord was there. Present landlady kept on giving me the eye - v. odd. Pricey!!!
anonymous - 22 Jun 2006 23:29 |
Superb.
anonymous - 12 Oct 2005 13:52 |
Just spent three nights at a local campsite and ate & drank there every night. Food was cheap, plentiful and delicious; the beer was pretty good also. The beer garden takes in the whole horizon with cliffs rising either side. Bar staff were chatty and pleasant, and the service was good. Check out the memorabilia on the walls if you go; it provides a history of the place going back centuries. A great old pub by the coast.
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Fantastic pub right on the beach, under the shadow of Golden Cap(highest cliff on the coast).
Serves Palmers of Bridport
Good food.
large beer garden over looking the beach
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