The Lulworth Beach Hotel, West Lulworth

I called in here the other day expecting to see a change as, last time I was in the area, I was told that Palmers were taking over. Apparently that all fell through and things are as they were. Great for real ale and cider drinkers and dog owners who like to share their bedroom and dining facilities with them.

Former CAMRA real cider pub of the year. Worth a visit just for that.

6 Dec 2016 15:15

The Castle Inn, West Lulworth

I am told that the Castle has now been taken into the Palmers Brewery stable. People will have their own opinions on Palmers Ales and they generally have good reviews.

Palmers have a very poor record of having guest beers in their establishments and they have no history of keeping real ciders at all and so this 2014 CAMRA cider pub of the year may soon have no real ciders. It remains to be seen what happens.

12 Sep 2016 11:17

The Crown Inn, Puncknowle

I have visited my ‘local from home’ on a number of occasions since February and have seen the gradual transition from Pub to Restaurant continue.
It is good that at least one person finds ‘the sofas’ nice to sit on in the afternoon when having tea. However, they are not very useful when there is a group trying to get to the bar to drink beer in the evening. Table space, in what was the public bar, is limited and all tables are prioritised for diners.
The local ‘regulars’ that I have spent many evenings chin wagging with over the years have mostly gone. They have been largely replaced by vehicle bound visitors and family groups, with children, as also mentioned in a report below.
Dart boards have gone and 10.30pm closing does not encourage, or allow, traditional pub games such as league darts or table skittles.
All this may be the way forward to keep establishments open but it’s a shame that another village pub is on its way to changing into a gastro-diner.
Beer is a big interest of mine and I am sorry that the Palmers flagship ale, ‘200’, has gone. Not enough being sold apparently. (Car based custom?) The rest of the real ales (IPA etc) as mentioned by another reviewer is now ‘iffy’ to say the least and cannot be recommended.
So, worth a visit if you have children and beer is not your priority or you fancy a cream tea in the afternoon. Groups of serious and discerning beer drinkers look elsewhere.

23 Jul 2013 10:59