please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
reopened last week and is now the Woodpecker
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Always on the verge of closure, the Drax is the stereotypical local before they became gastro bars for townies. A bit of a ramshackle pub, yes, but I defy anyone not to have a great time when the place livens up on the weekend evenings, especially after a local show. Spetisbury does have a strong social network and I have always found that welcoming, not a closed shop.
Great prices under the new regime and well-looked after beer. Haven't tried the food yet but they are aggressively advertising special offers, which (I guess) means the income is predominantly on the booze.
The cider festival is great too, held on the pub grounds yearly.
Long may The Drax survive!
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Just a basic village pub, good food and beer at reasonable prices and a pleasant friendly environment.
So much better now that is a free house as the previous owners, Hall & Woodlouse put in a sucession of inadequate managers / tenents who ran the place down to the point of closure.
Well worth a visit if you're passing
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Great friendly service, a freehouse with young hardworking staff, an excellent range of real ales which change regularly often trying out beers requested by customers. Cider is a speciality - 4 draught ciders at the last count. Food is good & wholesome. Neither drink nor food is overpriced. Is it any wonder that residents form local other villages come to Spetisbury rather than their own pubs?
Sadly the level of custom dropped off during the many years of Hall and Woodhouse ownership when tenants changed hands almost annually. Its gradually getting busier and needs to - come on locals...use it or lose it!
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Sat beside busy A350 this building looks to date from around 1930 the original having been thatched. Historically a Hall & Woodhouse establishment thankfully now a Free House. 3 hand pumps: Piddle-James Riddle 3.7%, Ringwood Best, Wychwood Hobgoblin 4.5%, plus a gravity firkin of Otter Ale 4.5%. Thatchers real Cider. Seems to be making a lot of effort, especially on prices: �2/pint, wines �7/btl, many meals around �8. Beer garden sadly next to busy road. 2 dart boards - Darts nights only.
Staff & locals were friendly - if you are passing give them a try!
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At a time when it is reported that five pubs a week are closing we are very fortunate that our local pub, the Drax Arms, became a free house nearly a year ago. The young staff have worked hard to turn the pub around after years of under investment and neglect that led to declining trade. A planned programme of investment has begun which has already resulted in changes to the interior making the pub a much more comfortable and welcoming environment.
As well as a range of real draught ales the pub serves excellent food at lunchtimes and evenings and it has to be the best value for miles around.
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now a freehouse with some good beers,same crap enviroment.how long will this pub last?
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New management has for once led to a downturn in the place. Was perfectly good beer with good food, now average beer with microwaved stodge. Such a shame. Bring on the next change.
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If you are doing the Stour Valley walk and are feeling parched take a detour when you get to the Crawford bridge and pay a visit to the Drax Arms. Fairly quiet on a Sunday afternoon when I visited due to the fine weather. Friendly landlady was welcoming and the Badger Best was drinkable which isn't something I usually say about Hall & Woodhouse beers. They do food and it seemed to be well received although I can't vouch for that personally.
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