lovely drinking and eating pub, all the staff were friendly and everything was well priced. Nice log fire, which really brings character to this pub. I was very happy sitting in this pub, eating my meal and chatting to some off the locals about Wareham and the different pubs in wareham. Well worth a visit. Ah The Duke, what can i say.. Another of our Real Ale Quest regulars, good selection, very good prices, but, (and I hate there to be a 'but'..), last year we noticed a distinct trend toward cooling the Real Ales down too much - a very big 'no no'... With a heavy heart, we left this time after a couple, and de-camped to the Kings Arms at the top of the High Street. Not as big a range, but comparitively priced, and the correct temperature. Give 'em a go...The landlord was not interested in telling me anything about the ales he was selling, and made me feel uncomfortable for asking about them before I bought a pint. I had been looking forward to visiting the pub, having read a good review in Good Beer Guide. The beer when it came, was in good condition, but I would not go back there.

What has happened to this place? We went for Sunday lunch on the 20th after having some good food here in the past. The mussel shells were broken so every other mouthful of sauce we had had bits of shell in. I had the steak and mushroom pie; I use the word pie loosely! It was flavorless slop put on a plate with a stale puff disc on top. The Roast potatoes were cannonballs and very over cooked veg. All our food was of same poor quality but, and there is a but! My wife did enjoy her smoked chicken ploughman’s lunch but how hard is it to put a bit of salad and cheese on a plate?! The service was poor; it would be nice if the staff cracked a smile. This place has gone downhill, what happened?We paid a visit to the woolpack the weekend and had a very nice time , the food we picked from the very good menu was exelent, beer was very good also , we all realy enjoyed it ,,we went to the woolpack on new years eve all 12 of us , the food was fantastic we have had meals at many places but the woolpack is the best food , we had a table in there conservatory over looking the river , which was realy nice , the service was very good and very freindly staff cant wait to go back again

Poor selection of beer, over-priced food in small portions, tatty decor, shunned by even the most loyal local drinkers.... take my advice, travel 3 miles along the valley to the Langton Arms...we were hoping with new tennents things would change but no they are worse i love this pub but what are hall and woodhouse doing please for god sake sort it out before another country pub bites the dust The pub changed hands in late July 2010 and the fat Yorkshire man has now left the building!

The pub is so much better now, clean and warm and now there is a proper chef the food is varied and tasty.

Beer was good and a warm welcome. it was nice to see people in the pub again.

All I can say is that I couldn't have been there the same Sunday as ANNIE12! We went with visiting friends to the Sandford for a carvery. The roast was 'just like mum makes!' The pub was very busy, yet the standard was good, not an easy thing for any chef to guage! And good value - especially comparing it to other pubs offering the same type of meal. We will visit again.I believe that the pub has had a change over of chefs recently, perhaps the last one was cooking when Annie visited?I've lived in Wareham for 25 years and have never been to the Sandford Hotel before last night. What have I been missing. A lovely friendly pub, nothing is too much for the staff.
A well balance menu with additional 'specials' board and an entensive wine list at reasonable prices.
We had a lovely meal with friends, everything freshly cooked by a chef who was happy to please my difficult husband who requested 'blue' steak with the edging fat well done! And even after the kitchen had closed for the evening, and my husband decided that he really couldn't go without the homemade crumble and custard, the chef was happy to cook him one. The waiting staff were attentive but not in your face.
Good value for money.
Will definately be going back soon.We had a very nice evening last night. The food was excellent the staff friendly. The chef kept popping out to see us we could not fault any of the
meals we had and we were a table of 6, There was a quiz going on in another room so clearly the pub is doing well.
We were very happy with everything thank you all

Its good to see a village pub undergoing a real revival!. The new landlord is doing a great job!. Well kept beer and I've heard good reports about the food although not eaten there yet myself. A couple of dodgy characters get in now and then.. set traps i say!. but still well worth a visit. The place being previously named after the local MP?. I certainly don't recall a pub called the " Arsehole Arms " !Knew this pub well when it was the Drax Arms,named after the wealthy Dorset family of that name which includes Richard Drax the pompous tory MP which is why they changed the name, I guess, rather than the power station.
I'm glad to learn that it is florishing.After a long time in the doldrums this pub has blossomed under the current landlord, Simon. It's now a great place to spend time. Excellent choice of real ales, you never know what you'll get. The food is great too. Love it!

Now under new management "The Covy" is returning to its roots and welcoming drinkers and regulars, as well as diners.

Myself and three others had a selection of meals and deserts and could find no fault in any, all served with good cheer and beer - Ringwood is slowly getting its beer sorted out, and as the Covy serves straight from the barrel the 49er was as good an example of this once proud beer as I have tasted in a long while – and £2.50 Pint – say no more , backed up with Best and Timmy Tailors Landlord.

Not so keen on the super wide projector thing – I understand the need to show sport ‘n stuff and did stay on to watch the rugby but a smaller telly would be much easier on the eye and viewable from more angles other than being pinned to the back wall wearing UV protection.

Gratis bowls of peanuts/snacks are well appreciated and certainly prised a few more beers from the barrel as a result - Nice
A recent change of hands has hopefully seen a change of fortune for this pub. It's been picked up by a local team and, as steamraiser (obviously a chap of good taste :p ) says, the aim seems to be to run a pub that appeals to locals and passers by. It certainly appeals to me. It's really good to see a smiling face behind the bar, the food is excellent and the beer is great. Keep it up guys! Met friends to eat here tonight. Excellent atmosphere (half full at 1930 on Jan 3rd), roaring (gas) fire, traditional style pub atmosphere, no rowdies, great food, friendly management, I registered on the site in order to post this comment! Pub has been through various changes in recent times but seems to have come good with the latest change in management (last month). Good beer (recommend the 49ers) served from the barrel, an excellent menu for under £10 and a genuinely friendly atmosphere. This pub definitely needs to be supported, we will certainly be back!