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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Fruitbag - 24 Aug 2008 13:57

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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chick - 4 Jun 2008 15:28

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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baxterfish - 1 Jun 2008 15:24

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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Dylanwing - 1 May 2008 22:50

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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ericonabike - 16 Apr 2008 10:01

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