Royal Oak, Beaminster

This is a true village pub, with a fairly laid-back atmosphere, the locals normally being very friendly and not aversed to being engaged in conversation.
The food is surprisingly good for the size of pub and the Palmer's ales (not my favourites but this is a tied house) are well kept.
Skittles are played most weekday nights during winter in the alley behind the bar. There is an open fire during winter and a small garden for summer usage.

2 Feb 2015 19:06

The Eagle and Child, Oxford

Hmm. Don't know what I was expecting, but the experience started well and then went steadily downhill; a bit like walking through the pub itself. Nice little snugs on either side as you enter, then a thin and pretty mediocre bar, a ramshackle shed/conservatory bit, and an horrific gents' toilet which would not be out of place in the orc's guardroom in Mordor. The choice of beer was good and my selection was fairly well-kept. Overall? Not a pub to avoid, but nor is it one to which I would deliberately divert my way.

20 Sep 2012 11:48

The Ben Johnson, Weston on the Green

Popped in last night, looking for food, and was not disappointed. Limited selection of two real ales, but both tasted well-kept. The food was excellent. I eat out most nights as a result of my occupation and this grub was definitely in the top ten percentile. Only downside was the fact that the atmosphere seems to have been ripped out by the usual refurbishment-mania. Very bland and modern. Oh, and the fact that the otherwise good service was marred by the barman constantly calling me 'Buddy'. I'm not your buddy, buddy.

20 Sep 2012 11:31