please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Revisited last week, not been here for over a year now and I am amazed by some of the comments that have been posted, the food was fantastic and the Isle of Purbeck Ales are wonderful, Fossil Fuel and Solar Power were as always top class. We certainly will not wait so long before returning.
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I always go to Swanage on summer holiday and always visit this place. This time round, the pleasant east European barmaid didn't know what scrumpy was - a bit of a faux pas in Dorset. Service was poor and I've always avoided the food. The beer festival was good though, with a nice vibe/music and there is a fabulous view across Studland Bay from the massive garden. The nearby South Beach is great, family-friendly and allows dogs. National Trust car park right next to the pub.
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The pub is attractive and the views lovely. The beers were ok but I expected better with it being the home of Isle of Purbeck brewery. The barstaff were pleasant but didn't seem to have a clue how to serve beer. They seemed undertrained and bewildered but they were eager to please the customers and did their best. Despite the pub garden being full the sandwiches we ordered came quite quickly. We also ate there one evening. My seabass was a bit meagre but our group of four thought the food was well cooked and we enjoyed it.
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This is a lovely pub and well worth visiting for the views alone. The beers brewed on the premises are good, but not great and supplimented by guest beers from the likes of the excellent Triple F.
The downside is the food, which,although not bad is nowhere near good enough to justify the high prices(£9.95 for a prawn salad which had enough prawns but was accompanied by poorly drained lettuce and not much else).Also service for the food was very slow resulting in a huge queue which obscured the menu board.One person was understandably upset that they would not sell him a side order of chips without ordering a main meal.
In summary: visit for the view and beer, but eat elsewhere.
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I went in August 2007 for the beer festival. The location was fantastic, and as the weather was good we were able to sit in the garden - By going mid-afternoon we avoided the crowds. Food was a barbecue, and quality and price were OK. They offered a mere 80 beers, and whilst I only tried about 8, all were excellent. Bar staff were East European, and despite the negative reviews here, I found them very friendly and they gave excellent service. Overall a very positive experience, but I was glad it wasd quiet so that I could use the inside loos. The trailer-Toilets brought for the festival were rank!
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Visited here after staying at the Bankes Hotel, Corfe Castel - totally different! It's a family-run pub, catering for a variety of clientele. In my opinion it does it extremely well. I went off-season, and so I can imagine it being a victim of its own success in the summer, but seems harsh to fault it for that. Beer was excellent - great choice and well kept. Food looked ok but didn't sample it. High percentage of walkers [including one with a backpack and walking pole who should have had them confiscated as weapons!] but live and let live. It's current score [5.9] is way too low for a pub of this quality.
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Ideal walker's pub. VERY popular and busy.
Purbeck ales are good, but the bar staff seem to let all four handpumps run dry, seriously limiting the choice. This might have changed now that the owners have decided to go back to employing Australians, rather than Eastern Europeans.
The pub is "nice" inside, but it needs cleaning up - Lots of wooden fittings and fixtures need repairing. I guess that the pub is too busy to refurbish, which is a pity as it is getting really shabby.
Ordering food is a pain: the blackboard is located next to the front door, so you can't read it with the queue of people lined up trying to order food. Most people assume that you're trying to push in, so they huddle together so you can't see the board!
You get shunted out of the way whilst waiting to place an order at the bar by all of the red sock brigade trying to force their way in - which is not a pleasant experience.
The food is expensive and the quality can be poor, depending on the dish.
Not a bad place overall, but lacking in certain key areas. Try it out of season.
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We went after a 5 mile walk and expected a good meal and a refreshing drink. Sadly, it wasn't to be.
My husband had ham, egg and chips, a pub staple. The ham was packaged, not off the bone, the chips were cold and grey, and there was only one egg, which for £8.50 is rubbish.
My ham and mustard baguette was okay, but too much mustard and nowhere near enough ham.
My daughter had fish fingers, which seemed to be just about the healthiest (!) thing on the extremely overpriced children's menu. Her fish fingers were grey inside and of a horrible texture. Her potatoes had black bits in too.
My husband's beer was good, and he even enjoyed the home brewed lager, which as a real ale drinker is high praise.
My pint of coke was actually see through and not coca cola. I can't believe a pub offers only cola off a multi tap - vile.
And, worst of all for a family pub - where were the high chairs? I had to feed my daughter on my lap, which is never easy, especially when she doesn't like the food.
I get so cross by people saying that the location is great so don't complain. Yes, the location is fantastic, breathtaking and awe inspiring. But that's not down to the pub is it?
The beer was good and so was the view. But avoid if you want a good feed.
To the user who says she loves the place but it gives her the squits...words fail me!
Phmoo - 11 Apr 2008 21:10 |
the beer at the Bankes Arms is truly excellent. I have been in so many pubs that don't take pride in their real ale - but the Bankes is an exception. They had 9 real ales on the pumps and I heard nothing but praise while i was there for the beer brewed on site at the Isle of Purbeck Brewery. Fossil Fuel was indeed superb and I have even heard that they are now brewing their own cold filtered lager which is an achievement in itself. I thought the food was very good - portions are huge and the menu is good honest British fare with some lovely seabass on the menu when I was there. I think it is all too easy for people to write negative comments - but this is a family run pub of which much is demanded considering their size - and I think they do an excellent job. But above all - the real ale is outstanding.
anonymous - 4 Nov 2007 21:25 |
This pub is all about "Location, Location, Location". Unfortunately that's about all it has. Considering it has its own micro-brewery, the beer is at best mediocre. Staff are variable in their attitude and the scenically situated garden suffers from litter, uncleared glasses and big black crows that stalk the tables. The food can be described as the Worst of British.
The pub is a lost opportunity.
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Visited this pub for the first time on Sunday after driving past signs for it for the past 20 years!
Lovely location, apart from having to pay £2 to park in the Nat. Trust Carpark next to it, beer garden was full and had wonderful view over Studland Bay in the October Sunshine. Beer was good and a lot of choice...but..£5.20 for two pints in plastic glasses of multi dispenser cola...
and £7.50 for a Ham Ploughmans. Chilli was £9.50..
Waiting staff were friendly and did work very hard I must say, but today I am off work with a bad tummy..
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Zofloya, you must be easily pleased.
Good points: great location; good range of beers; pretty quick service for food, even when busy and quite organised in that dept too.
Bad points: loos stink to high-heaven and are filthy; food is mediocre (but edible and no delhi-belly); staff behind bar (when I was there on the 9th of Sep) were not very helpful; pub is generally shabby.
Lizlibation and twiglet100 have summed up quite accurately.
Park in National Trust car park behind pub (pay £1 unless NT member) and it's okay for a stopping point whilst doing the 'walk' but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
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A shame that the guaranteed tourist trade means that this pub can get away with really slovenly standards. Everything is pretty filthy from the tables to the loos. Always get the squits after eating here. Food varies from summer to summer but is generally pretty poor now, however fresh fish is good.
But just love the place, have been going for years and go to the beer festival every year, though the beer is not in as good condition at the festival as it used to be.
Staff and family are friendly and the garden with fab views over Studland Bay & Old Harry unbeatable. Watch out for the parakeets flying over but what happened to the chaffinches and sparrows?
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Dont be misled by some of the critical reviews in this page. We are a family of five, myself husband two adult daughters and our seventeen year old son plus two dogs. We have just stayed for a weekend at the pub and have many compliments to deliver and hope this adds a little balance to this page.
The pub didnt smell of old beer and vinegar - it was freshly aired and had a lovely log fire burning welcomingly in the fireplace - comforting after the terrible storms on the way down. Staff extremely friendly and helpful towards us and accommodating the dogs happily, rooms were clean and fresh - new towels every day too - and rooms serviced daily by chambermaid. My daughters even had a jacuzzi in their ensuite bathroom! Food was very good - fresh fish included daily on the menu and we noticed how helpful the staff were towards families with small children too. On Saturday evening the place was crowded with families happily eating there and the bar always seemed busy. I dont actually drink but on the subject of beers my husband says beer choices there are excellent, they even brew some of their own, and they are actually holding a beer festival in the middle of august with 120 to choose from. If I really have to make any critical comment there is only one part of the pub that needs any refreshment really and thats the hall and staircase area leading to the accommodation, but its not a big issue.
Please dont be put off by other people with niggly comments that could have happened anywhere - we were well looked after.
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just caters for the tourist trade theses days - high volume means cannot do anything but pre packed microwaved food. great location and that's about it - it really is like a toursit attraction. not many locals left in the area, all second homes - shame - another community ruined
anonymous - 24 Jun 2007 19:15 |
Have been coming here since 1972 and it hasn't changed a great deal. The best thing of course is the fantastic location. The best beer garden in the UK? The views over Poole Bay to the Isle of Wight are worth forgiving all this place's faults for.
And there are quite a few faults. The beer, happily, isn't one of them. A superb selection of local real ales. But it goes downhill from there.
The inside is tired and a bit shabby, and smells of vinegar and stale beer. The food though is the main issue. Too much of the stuff served here is bought-in, 'boil in the bag' catering rubbish. The dreaded 'lamb shank in red wine and rosemary jus' often makes an appearance - the sure sign of a Brakes Brothers/3663 menu (this means the food is bought in ready coooked - they just microwave it). The salads are grim and the quality of some of the ingredients dire.
BUT, sometimes they get it spot-on, with fresh locally-caught fish and game stews, roasts and so on. So, scrap the big menu, keep to a couple of main courses that ARE cooked on premises and a few bar staples and it would be fine.
The service is actually pretty good.
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Having driven past a few times and read some excellent comments on this venue decided to pop in with my parents when they came to visit me last weekend. DOESN'T LIVE UP TO REPUTATION. I found the venue to be dirty, and dingy. Having spent about 20 minutes at the bar waiting without recognition I walked out and went into Poole where i ended up spending £130 somewhere else. We weren't the only ones to leave. Felt that my business wasn't wanted here and so in future will make sure i go where my custom is appreciated.
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I only use this place once a year, when I come down for the annual Memorial Parade for the members of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, who died during Exercise Smash1 on the 4th April 1944. I have always found the place to be very friendly, the food excellent and the staff helpful. As such it's one of those rare places that you can happily recommend to people.
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If you are a fan of real ales then this is the pub for you. When we visited they had 9 different real ales 4 of which are brewed on the premises the Solar Power is wonderful. Fantastic Pub Fantastic Location Fantastic Food and FANTASTIC BEER !! can't wait to come back in the summer !!
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I gave the bar staff £20 note. They gave me change for £10. I went straight back to tell them but they said I would have to wait until the next day when the tills would have been checked. I went in twice but was told I would have to see the manager.I left my number but no reply, so I rang, I could tell by the attitude I would have problems so I said I am likely to get my money back, I was told " No " .I know it was only £10 but it was the arrogance. I will never go into that pub again. About 10 of my friends will not use it now either.
anonymous - 24 Jun 2006 16:24 |
As a local this pub is on the map to keep visiting, yes its busy in the tourist season but it still has one of the best locations around for fair weather drinkning. Together with its history (the Banks family owned nost of the area including Corfe castle nearby) it is now run by a landlord that used to run the Brew House in Poole. This is significant because he brews many of his own ale on site, and its fantastic. Food, cant really comment on, but you need to visit this pub if your in the area.
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Been here many times, and have always found the service VERY friendly. The food is fab! Highly recommended, although it does become very busy during the holiday season.
Fantastic location, well worth a try!
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For a tourist pub (let's be honest: it is near a beach, in a very small town, and advertises in all of the local travel guides), it has character and a good selection of real ales that many do not. It is the mediocre food and the slowness of service that remind you that this even with those benefits, it is still a tourist pub. Definitely visit if you are passing through or going to the Bay, but it is not worth a special trip.
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Good pub, I thought, plenty beer, plenty food on offer and a beer garden that gave a view over a little bit of Studland Bay.
If you're on holiday, it's what you want.
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Great food, great beer, great views. Just a short walk from South Beach which has a lovely friendly atmosphere. Rooms could do with a bit of updating but ask for a sea view and it will make up for it.
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I made my first visit to this pub yesterday. Six real ales which seem to be well kept. I didn't eat so I can't comment about the food. The pub was very busy and full of the walker/Sunday lunch brigade who clearly don't go to pubs often. Beautifully situated but don't go here for a quiet pint.
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Superb pub - found it by accident!
A bunch of us used to go there regularly last summer.
We'd take the chain ferry from B'mouth, park the car just over the other side and then walk to the pub via the beach. After the 45min walk a couple of pints and a game stew go down nicely.
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A wonderful location, BUT ... disappointing quality! I have to agree with several of earlier 'posters' ... the most tasteless 'crab salad' I've ever tasted, and I do come from Cornwall!
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seems to be a lot of moaning about this pub. i've been going for years living not far away, and have never had a problem. As for the comment about reheated food, what do you expect???? they are so busy that they could not possibly have time to cook food from fresh. The garden often has glasses and crisp packets in - they always seem to have as many staff as they could get, and where exactly would they get a local teenager from, not exactly a heaving metropolis around there is it? the staff are always polite and friendly, and seem to work really hard. The rooms may be overpriced for what they are, but people are willing to pay it, so they are going to charge it. i agree that the rooms could do with a bit of decorating. If you want a quiet country pub, with a faster more personal service, then head further afield and don't be so predictable in escaping the town in going to the nearest 'country pub' that you know of. all in all i think this is a great pub, though it is a little commercial these days because of the demand.
anonymous - 12 Jan 2005 11:42 |
Complacent. Gets a lot of tourist trade due to the great situation and lack of any local competition and so I think they're getting a bit lazy. I stayed here and the rooms were comfortable enough whilst feeling a bit faded. There was a good range of beer and the food (I had game casserole) was very nice, though the amazing speed with which it arrived did suggest that it had been reheated. The huge garden does have a cracking view of the bay but again suffers from a lack of attention - the crisp packets and empty glasses that accumulate so rapidly make it feel a bit grubby (surely they could pay a local teenager to sort this out!) In the vicinity it's really the only option, but until they start trying harder it sadly isn't worth journeying to specially.
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A lovely pub set on a road looking over the sea. Cross the road from the pub in to the HUGE beer garden. A really nice atmosphear.
Ben Roberts - 27 Oct 2004 11:54 |
We stayed at this hotel/pub for two nights in August 2004. On the second night the noise in the bar went on until 12.40 a.m., 40 minutes after a polite request that the staff should stop talking loudly. This hotel is overpriced considering the service and noise.
Lindsay Bickers - 22 Aug 2004 18:15 |
We stopped by on Saturday 7 August 2004. It was a lovely hot day and the pub looked very attractive. The beer was excellent, and we ordered food from the bar menu. I can honestly say it was the worst pub meal I have ever had. It looked and tasted as if it had been cooked several hours before and simply re-heated. I complained and was offered a round of drinks, but I get the impression that so many people stop by this pub that they don't really care. If it has any kind of award for food, then whoever dish out these awards should go back any try again. Give it a miss !!!!
Andy Broom - 9 Aug 2004 12:48 |
This must be one of the most idyllic settings for a pub with its lovely old bulding and beautiful green overlooking Old Harry Rocks. Food and range of ales are extremely good. I have stayed for up to five nights on four occasions almost on a yearly basis both in high and low season but not this year. Sadly not quite so much fun as it used to be, partly because it gets so busy but also because room standards and service are not worth the high price charged. I hope it will become my favourite away from home pub again. I shall give it another try next year!
Angela Cooper - 29 Jul 2004 15:18 |
We stayed at this pub for two nights earlier this month. The food was very good and served quickly, but the service itself was surly. The bedroom accommodation was very average and grossly overpriced for the standard - £82 per night. The window frames were grimy, the bathroom had mould coming through the ceiling and walls, and the bathroom tiles were also black around the edges with mould.
Jane - 19 Jul 2004 15:45 |
Eight real ales including some from the Isle of Purbeck brewery such as Fossil Fuel and the excellent Solar Power and guest ales which when we visited were from Gales and Batemans respectively. Has won awards from CAMRA and is a regular in the Good Beer Guide/Good Pub Guide etc. Food was very good and unpretentious. Most main courses less than £10. Very tasty with reasonable portions. What was also impressive - considering how busy they were - was the fact that we didn't have to wait very long for our food. There is no set menu, you have to check out the blackboard to see what is available. Popular with walkers and the yachting fraternity. I'm told that in the Summer it has moorings for the latter.
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