Silent Woman, Coldharbour

I live in Poole and regularly walk my dogs in Wareham Forest. I have popped into this pub on a few occasions for a bit of lunch and a pint after a long walk.

I will start with the good, the pub is well situated, well presented and has lovely gardens. It is really nice to sit outside enjoying a beautiful day such as today, though the occasional heavy lorry going to and from the nearby quarry does disturb the ambience at times. The menu looks very nice though to be honest I usually have a ploughmans lunch. It is hard to get a ploughmans wrong but I do feel that this pub provides one which is a cut above most.

The staff are well dressed and polite and the beer seems well kept.. So with all this positive feedback why do I rate the pub only 3/10?

Despite so many positives I find the atmosphere a real turn off, it is a kind of attitude that seems to pervade the place. There are large signs at the doors making it very clear that children are not welcome. They are only allowed in the garden, and signs in the garden make it very clear that children are not allowed to play!! On a previous visit my son was not even allowed inside to look at the menu and the specials board for food!

Today my wife and I ordered a ploughmans lunch each and asked for a side order of chips. Oh no said the young lady behind the bar (politely), we don't serve chips on their own. This despite the fact that chips are available on the menu as a side order. Well I don't want them on their own, I want them as a side order with my meal. Sorry, you can't have them came the reply. On asking for an explanation I was told we don't want people coming in and ordering one meal and 8 plates of chips. This with a grand total of 8 patrons in the pub. I gave up.

I suspect this attitude has something to do with caravan site behind the pub, but frankly I am amazed that a rural pub with little passing trade can afford to turn away any custom, even if they do just want a plate of chips.

I find it somewhat Ironic that dogs are allowed in the pub but children are not!!

I am afraid that this pub has seen the last of my custom.

12 Jul 2013 20:13