Black Dog Inn in Purbeck

We'd read the mixed (mainly bad reviews!) before camping at next-door Primrose Fields and couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. The family that ran the pub were lovely; warm, welcoming, accommodating and friendly. It was a super hot day and I didn't fancy a hot meal which is all they had on the menu - so I asked if there was any chance of a sandwich - no fuss, no bother - I wasn't made to feel difficult at all! Sandwich was big and delish; tuna crunch with salad on fresh tiger bloom and a side of tasty chips. The rest of our party had a mix of burgers, scampi, more sandwiches (I set a trend!), all of which were very well received. Not a morsel left. After lunch, I went to see if they might have any ice creams, and very kindly, they sold us six cornettos which were evidently from their family supply - I was really impressed with their above and beyond attitude. In addition, the pub garden is lovely; big mature trees, a wildlife pond, big lawn with sun and shade seating options, mini play park for the kids - all set way back from the road so you really feel you're in the middle of the country. All in all, it felt more like going to someone's house than a pub which I really liked. Would definitely recommend to any campers or passers by.

Landlord and landlady were very welcoming. It's obviously a local pub but we felt very welcomed by the owners and the patrons. Simple pub serving a nice pint. They'd stopped serving food as they were short staffed but because we had hungry children they fired up the fryers and did us 4 basket meals. Basic pub food but at a bargain price. We definitely wouldn't visit their neighbouring campsite again but if we were in the area we'd use this pub again. Really brightened our day. Thank you again.

This was my local yeas ago. The new landlord has worked wonders in his renovation, creating a modern slant whilst retaining its ‘local’ charm - made me wish I still lived closer!

Called in for a drink. Lovely woman behind the bar who was very welcoming. Choice of someone's favourite 1980s metal band playing nonstop was a bit disconcerting. Very nice pint of Black Dog. If only the music was more Led Zeppelin it would have been much better. The only thing missing was a pentagram next to the dartboard. 🙃

Stayed in the campsite next door, and the pub was a godsend in the hot weather in keeping us cool. The pub has a locals atmosphere and does have a restaurant but we didn't eat there.

Big garden was ideal for the warm weather. Very handy for the campsite where we were staying. Pub was busy enough and there was good service.

My meal wasn't bad, is about the best I can say. Scampi and chips tend to be OK wherever you have them. The mushroom soup could have been great but somehow wasn't. The crusty bread was a ready sliced white burger bun. The chips were really good, but not really hot. I felt sorry for my companions, the mushrooms that should have been with the steak were in the soup, I've not seen the likes of the mash since, as a student, I watered down a packet of Smash and there was some sort of cheesy bread that defied the laws of physics. The pie was OK, despite appearances. The decor is quite new and modern and the staff are pleasant and know what's going wrong, there was a constant stream of apologies. I've scored it average rather than poor because the prices are low for the area, my own meal was acceptable, and in the hope that one day it'll all come together and they can get a few meals on the table without any issues.

Malnutrition is always an option... and in this instance, preferable. From the front its a quaint country pub, on the inside it had, as you would expect, the local people having a pint, a chat and a few laughs. There was also the benefit of a loud, foul mouthed cackling "lady" who added to the overall local feel. Parking is round the back of the pub in a builders yard. They say that first impressions count, we should have heeded that advice and left. The starter was supposedly home made cream of mushroom soup with crusty bread. In reality it was coarsely blended mushrooms with a burger bun. Main course for my wife was Steak and Ale pie with liquidised (it was way past creamed) mash potatoes. She tasted the mash and left it. I had full rack of pork ribs with chips. If tgat was a full rack then they breed the pigs small round there. They had been frozen and microwaved back to life. The chips had also been frozen. I was hungry and have little respect for my digestive system so I ate it. The IPA was rank. Easily the worst I've ever had. My wifes diet coke had been through some sort of process to rob it of flavour, it actually spoiled her vodka. Desert was avoided. It seemed wise.

Booked for 5 people, parked near Steptoes yard aka: The Car Park at the back. Drinks ordered...... the IPA was rank & the bottled diet coke must have been sunbathing somewhere nice and warm. Took our seats in the "restaurant" , maybe washing the tablecloths would be a start? We ordered 5 "Mushroom soups with crusty bread". Sadly it transpired to be "Mushroom soup with burger buns left over from the earlier televised rugby game. The main`s arrived which were adequate at best. Try and avoid any dish containing the "mashed potato" which looks like baby food. Definitely avoid the "garlic bread" which had seemingly been cooked, frozen then micro-waved to the consistency of the armour piercing rounds on the nearby Lulworth Ranges. We didn`t risk dessert. And finally if I had wanted the company of the hostesses child throughout the meal I would have asked. On the bright side, they have recently given the place a lick of paint and the music was pretty good.

Is the pub open or shut one monday we arrived for a drink its shut ?? So we popped in another day giving it the benifit of the doubt got served by a very polite young lady served our drinks then proceeded to the garden.. But had to walk passed steptoes yard to the grassed area (of which was nice) after our first drink we returned to the bar for another as it was actually well kept With the same Three people in the bar locals i assume This pub should be making a fortune as the tatty sign said last pub till Bestival It is also the only pub along a main carrage way to wareham/ lulworth. And Wool in the other dirrection We might pop back one day hope the visual concept improves 10 out of 10 for the cellar managment

It is an absolutely terrible pub. We booked the table for the evening dinner; came in, ordered the drinks and sat down to have a look what we would have for dinner. When it came to placing the order we were informed that there was no steak or any burgers from the menu (beef or chicken). As we weren’t aware of this my husband ordered ribs and I needed to look at the menu again to choose whatever was left (very small menu). When I came back to the bar within 5 minutes I was told that the kitchen is closed now and I couldn’t order more food. At this point it was about 8.20 PM. So we just sat there waiting for food which was horrible when it came – I’m not sure if they had a chef as it didn’t look as done by the professional. I will be adding pictures. I didn’t eat and we shared my husband’s meal. We just couldn’t believe how bad the service was. Over all I would avoid this pub as there are many great restaurants and pubs in the area. We went to Black Bear Inn in town ad it was amazing – great food, garden outside so we could bring dogs and we loved it.

We had been meaning to visit for ages, and so we now have. Fabulous back garden excellent beer, very friendly service.