Useful local information

Eating and drinking out

There is a wide range of places to eat and drink in North Dorset and they are getting better all the time.
In Child Okeford, our nearest village, there are two pubs. The Baker Arms, in the middle of the village, does not serve food at the moment. The Saxon Inn, a small, friendly pub tucked away the other end of the village, has a lovely atmosphere and good food.


On Thursdays a fish and chip van parks opposite The Baker Arms by the war memorial.


Gold Hill Farm Kitchen is next door to the wonderful Goldhill Organic Farm shop in Child Okeford. Dedicated to local produce, the menu is exciting with wonderful vegetarian/vegan choices as well. Lovely cakes. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Great for children.

Further away there is The Cricketers, Shroton, a traditional menu at a reasonable price with a garden out the back and lovely staff, perfect on a sunny day. Makes a good walk over Hambledon Hill.

Two options if you like Indian food. In nearby Sturminster Newton there is Mumbai Bay, although there is no outside seating. Chutneys in Shaftesbury is very good.

Plumber Manor just outside Sturminster, a charming old fashioned country house hotel and popular for big family celebrations. Traditional dessert trolley!

King John Inn, Tollard Royal

The Forester, Donhead St Andrew

The Compasses Inn, Lower Chicksgrove

If you are in Wimborne to see the lovely Minster, then do drop in on Deans Court Café which has a lovely home store attached.

The Museum, Farnham, good old-fashioned pub classics plus more sophisticated dishes.

Pythouse Kitchen Garden Restaurant, West Hatch, Tisbury. Beautifully converted garden buildings and a lovely walled garden. Perfect for taking children who can run around. Fresh and good food, and a small shop.

The Beckford Arms. Excellent top notch gastro pub. Quite far but perhaps worth a detour on the way home. Fonthill Gifford, Tisbury.