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3.8

Based on 479 opinions finded in 2 websites

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Nº 136 in 217 in East Dorset

Nº 38 of 68 British in East Dorset

CUSTOMERS TALK ABOUT DISHES WITH..porkpuddinggarlicchickenpotatoesroaststeakbeautifulcheeseprawnsmustfishlambcookedsaladcream

comment_iconOpinions

I took my family for a meal on Sunday it was my wife Birthday as well as Mum’s day. We was welcomed and showed to the table. 4 had Sunday roast and 2 had ham egg and chips. The roast was great. I looked at the Ham egg and chips and asked how was it they said nice. But I could see they was just trying to just be nice. I thought it was just a some ham out of a supermarket for a sandwich. I asked for bill and payed it. When I got home looked at it again and their was £17 service charges on it I know it’s my fault for not checking it properly. But £17 is not right when it is a pub. Also no one come over to ask how the food was we had to ask for more drinks. I think they was more interested in the next sitting. What a shame as the roast was great. So watch out for the service charge!!

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Inspire09747066113 . 2024-03-15

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Sunday lunch with friends. Roast beef was nice, but 3 potatoes each, really, and not even whole, 3 halves. And as for the "service charge"! Youre a pub, not a restaurant, your gave us our food, didnt come back until we finished ( no checking to see if we were enjoying our meal, anymore drinks etc) and took our plates away. Not exactly a,welcoming experience.

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Zeb999 . 2024-03-05

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Every bodies meal was very nice. Great atmosphere for a catch up. Attentive service without being overbearing. Would highly recommend biking.

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Rob68W . 2024-02-13

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Lovely meal at lunchtime. Food was delicious and the service was excellent. Brightened up a miserable day outside! Thank you

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klalra . 2024-02-13

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Great food....a decent variety to choose from the menu - really tasty with good efficient service....would definitely go again

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Andrew R . 2024-02-12

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Having been to see the snowdrops at Kingston Lacey we drove and spotted the sign to the Anchor. Followed the signs and went in. Very warm welcome. Enjoyed very good sandwiches and the gluten free bread was exceptionally good. The service was professional and very friendly. The village is lovely to wander around especially the Norman Church. Will definitely be returning. .

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Jane G . 2024-02-12

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This pub has changed hands in recent years and is all the better for it. We have lunch here maybe half a dozen times a year, meeting friends or family, and the food is very good and the portions big enough for most people. Service is always great, good humoured but efficient and the beer seems well kept. On our most recent visit I had probably the best burger I've ever had in a pub, possibly anywhere, genuinely delicious, my wife had a halloumi salad as a main course and really loved it and my sister and brother in law both enjoyed their meals (he cleaned his plate), another burger and a halloumi burger. We felt the price was reasonable for the quality of food and although a service charge is included in the bill we didn't mind paying it as the service is friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area.

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trippedoutswanage . 2024-01-29

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A nice looking pub, but, the price of drinks/snacks is over the top. A pint of bitter, half a pint of cider and a small sausage roll came to £12.40.

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Tellitasitis63 . 2023-12-29

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Small portions. Bowls of extra veg and potatoes for the table would have been good. Usual Sunday lunch better value

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Alison P . 2023-12-23

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Booked for Sunday lunch, had 16hr slow cooked silver roast beef blade with a great selection of vegetables and home cooked Yorkshires, with exceptional home made horseradish . Great table service and a good selection of wines and unusual ales

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JOP49 . 2023-11-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

This is s very rare find and we are so glad we found this place. The food is the best around for miles and miles . Good value for the food you get . And the staff very welcoming and it felt warm and cosy. Hats off to chef the best burger we have ever had was so delicious. Definitely deserve more than 5 stars 🌟 . Also 2 dishs for £22 at this price how can you say no . Bargin and well worth the money and more . We Will be back very soon

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Michaela F . 2023-10-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Our first visit to the Anchor was made all the more enjoyable by the very friendly yet professional staff and the lovely ambience of the place. However, the menu choices were somewhat restricted with limited mains & sweets and only one special starter and one main. Two of our party chose the Thai main as it sounded good and had good reviews on Trip Advisor, however both of us were disappointed it didn’t taste of Thai! The pork was somewhat bland there was no taste of lemon or coriander. The pork was very tender though. There were two cold dishes served with it one was aubergine and a pickle which I didn’t feel went very well With the hot food. The sweets were good in particular the fresh fruit and less so the treacle tart. Only our opinion, but not as good as we Expected based upon the other reviews we read before visiting

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Zantog . 2023-09-02

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We visited this evening as a family group all a variety of ages & everyone cleared their plates. The pub was warm & welcoming , the food delicious & the service prompt and friendly. Highly recommend the pork shoulder & the beef if it’s on the specials board. We are already planning our next visit!

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111carriep . 2023-08-23

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Exceptional Sunday roast. Melt in the mouth beef, rich dark tasty gravy, crisp roasties. Enjoyed every moment with attentive staff, great atmosphere. Could not be more impressed.

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whisptwo . 2023-08-20

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Wife and I just had an outstanding veggie meal at the Anchor. We had the Parmigiana di Melanzani - baked aubergine in tomato with cheese, fries, salad and garlic bread and I went for the coriander, parsley and falafel burger. Easily the best veggie burger I have ever had, with beetroot chutney, hommous, salad (honey & mustard dressing?) and heavily peppered fries. As a meal it really came together. Then we had the melon and lime sorbet and I went for the fruit salad with watermelon, summer fruits and clotted cream with a sublime vanilla sauce. We will definitely be going back soon. Highly recommended.

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Brian P . 2023-08-04

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We had previously visited The Anchor at Shapwick for their excellent range of beers and wines, but we had not actually eaten there until last week. We went for Sunday lunch and were so impressed that we went back again on Wednesday night for dinner. The Sunday roast was the best we have had anywhere. The feather blade of beef was cooked to perfection, and the roast potatoes and vegetables were superb. The Yorkshire pudding was also delicious, and the portions were generous. We couldn't resist the desserts, which were both equally good. They were clearly homemade and extremely tasty. On Wednesday, we returned for dinner and had the Thai pork shoulder and salt and vinegar fish and chips. Both dishes were cooked to the same high standard as the Sunday roast. Once again the deserts were superb.The meal was coupled with an excellent selection of drinks, including local beers. The service was also perfect. We believe that The Anchor is the best pub restaurant in Dorset and a strong contender for our favourite nationally.The food is excellent, the drinks are great, and the service is impeccable. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a dining experience that is sure to please.

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Mike P . 2023-07-08

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Chips are fab! Lovely pub in lovely village. Love coming here. Menu choice great for a smallish place.

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KRC53 . 2023-06-22

MORE AT TripAdvisor

We visited here for Sunday lunch & the beef was amazing; extremely tender and flavoursome. Great to see a real piece of meat, as opposed to the catering slices so many pubs use. Would definitely recommend and will return.

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bevw2018 . 2023-06-18

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Nice pub with quick service. The beef burger was excellent. Would have been a 5 star review but the mushrooms in the Tempura Oyster Mushroom Burger were like leather.

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t j . 2023-05-25

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Lovely lunch here. The pub was busy but the service was quick and friendly. Beer was well kept. The food was excellent, lamb burger and fish and chips were very tasty and the puddings were brilliant. Have been here a few times now and will keep coming back.

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Goonerdavem . 2023-05-19

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Stopped of at The Anchor on our way home from Kingston Lacey Gardens (been meaning to pop in for years) wish we had done sooner as the owners were very friendly polite and attentive. The place still had that old English charm and the bay window seat in the sun was great. And the food was Yum yum yum :) :)

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Tonia J . 2023-05-09

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Family celebrations for a birthday. Very accommodating and the food was delicious! Good portion sizes and reasonable pricing. Would visit again.

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joshg06 . 2023-04-27

MORE AT TripAdvisor

What a fabulous pub! Light and bright interior, full of character and charm. Fantastic friendly service by all of the team members we met. And the food was absolutely delicious. There is an interesting and varied menu which makes it difficult to choose what to have, but everything that we chose was delicious and fresh and full of flavour. We’ll definitely be back and will bring friends with us. Thank you everyone at The Anchor for making a ‘let’s try this pub’ into a great lunchtime treat.

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AngelaP480 . 2023-04-04

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Not impressed with this place. First visit and would not go back. We chose from fixed price menu. Oriental beef salad starter got served to us in plastic bowls, not impressed with that. Fish and chips next, but they were fries not chips. Pork meal nearly all fat and vegetables as hard as rock. Topped off with a lukewarm not hot chocolate and then charged a 10% gratuity fee. Place looked grubby and toilets awful plus the are mixed sex toilets. All very disappointing.

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cheetsy . 2023-04-02

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Beautiful pub with a warm welcome lovely menu and great customer service , even when busy. Tomato soup was fab! We will be back. Thanks

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Julie H . 2023-04-01

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Steak night was really lovely but never in my life has I’ve been challenged over paying a tip for a meal. After paying a large sum of money for a nice meal a £18 service charge was added to my bill with no explanation. Because...

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HM66 . 2023-03-09

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Discovered totally by accident but a MUST visit venue. A village owned pub (usually a disaster) the village have sensibly handed over to a very able landlord who has a top notch team..superb service excellent food. Dog and cyclist friendly

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markwL5853GS . 2023-02-15

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Lovely pub and the food was so nice. The portion sizes were huge, not too expensive and in a lovely location. It is also dog friendly, which was great!

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em2508 . 2023-01-28

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Generally speaking excellent all round, although whitebait too heavily crumbed fir my liking. Everything else including staff and service was great

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Mike N . 2023-01-20

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This place was an amazing find!! Great food, great atmosphere. Worth going out of the way for. We stumbled upon it after a visit to the Jurassic Coast and couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

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Carey D . 2023-01-01

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Loved the menu/specials with lots of great food to choose from. Lovely friendly staff with great service and atmoshere!. We were with friends and a dog celebrating a retirement. I can thoroughly recommend The Anchor Inn and certainly will be back in the near future.

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susaneholmes . 2022-11-27

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This is our favourite pub. Warm, cosy, bright, and helmed by the friendliest staff you could hope to find. The food is always delicious. The service is always excellent. And they couldn't be more welcoming to dogs, children, and muddy walkers alike. Set in a...

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hollien515 . 2022-11-14

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Best roast beef 🥩 I’ve ever eaten , fell apart cutting it . Nice roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding , a good selection of steamed vegetables and yummy 😋 gravy , can’t wait to visit again .

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catherinerV4127BN . 2022-10-23

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Stopped off with my wife for a breakfast on the way to somewhere else and it was lovely. We both had the truffled mushrooms on toast, and it was really tasty and came out promptly. Will definitely be back for dinner as their menu looked...

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swanager1975 . 2022-10-20

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The Anchor is a favourite of ours and having been almost reclusive for a couple of years, we decided it was time to enjoy our favourite place, we visited twice in 5 days and it was just as fabulous as always, great atmosphere, lovely staff...

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Mumbear15 . 2022-10-05

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It was a heatwave. We planned a trip here for a lunch before a wlak to the nearby Badbury Rings. The service was friendly and the food good. And it was cool inside - so we enjoyed the lunch, forgot the walk and went home!

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Roger E . 2022-07-15

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Popped in for a drink during a cycle trip. Tendered a £20 note for payment and was turned down. I was then told that they didn't take them anymore. They are legal tender until September this year. When challenged, I was told that it was...

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leesY4052IO . 2022-06-12

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I visited the pub in passing. I live only a few miles away and was with my friend, out for a walk round Badbury Rings on a summery day. It is a beautiful spot at Shapwick with lots of traditional houses and a quiet road....

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audreyferndown . 2022-06-03

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We live not far from Shapwick so have visited a number of times over the last couple of years and it’s always been exemplary. However we visited today for a birthday lunch and it was like everything had changed. Our waitress barely spoke and didn’t...

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tomwC7715UN . 2022-06-02

MORE AT TripAdvisor

On the basis of the excellent lunch my wife and I enjoyed I will definitely be returning. Not the usual standard pub menu but offering several more unusual dishes.

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Mike N . 2022-05-09

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We managed to get a booking here last minute due to a cancellation and so glad we did. The service was amazing, everyone was super friendly and couldn’t do enough for you. The roast beef was delicious, one of the best pub roasts I’ve ever...

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Jodie1231 . 2022-05-02

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Stopped for a bite of lunch after a dog walk, food and service excellent. Reasonable prices despite the hike we’ve all had to sustain in the cost of living. Dogs made welcome as well as the owners! Support our pubs keep them from closing!

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dawnhR3104AE . 2022-04-30

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Visited with friends from Salisbury whilst on holiday from Devon. The menu was pricey and the food was average. I felt it was unimaginative for the price levels. I went for a special pork dish which would usually be described as glamorous Sunday roast. Charged...

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beastofdartmoor . 2022-03-31

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we were planning a big walk and found this pub on line so called to book, on a sunday they do two sittings.we booked for four of us and a the last minute a friend joined us and called ahead and they fitted them in...

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eatdrinkstay . 2022-03-07

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Good interesting food from a kitchen that cares.delicious.thoroughly recommend, Real food well interpreted. good find .

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poppybasil123 . 2022-02-26

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Nice looking pub inside. The barman could be a little more chatty and friendly especially as it was quiet. Felt like he was doing the bare minimum also he reserved a table by the window which clearly wasn’t being used during our time their yet...

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Roam815256 . 2022-02-12

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I today had/ordered Pork and Chorizo loaf + fresh local vegetables. i was unimpressed with meal that arrived for £15.50. Two slices of the thinnest cut meat loaf possible 3" x 2" x 1/8 " . Some limp cabbage, and some smashed up new potatoes...

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Captainbligh53 . 2022-01-28

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We have just had an AMAZING meal at The Anchor! There is something for all tastes from traditional British to a specials board full of flavour-bombs and dynamic ideas. The best fish dish I’ve had in years and a total revelation of the uses for...

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Hixtravels . 2021-12-24

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My friend and I called in for lunch before our walk. We were spoilt for choice with the menu, everything looked great. Excellent selection of sandwiches and main meals. We both decided on fish and chips. Very fresh fish excellently cooked, just delicious. Home made...

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Kate L . 2021-10-31

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A great pub which serves the most amazing locally sourced food - real top notch. A nice selection of beers served by the very friendly staff. The pub's location is perfect to sit outside on a sunny day - just a few tractors passing by...

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417rogerk . 2021-10-17

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Initially just just popped in for a drink but ended up staying for lunch. Good selection of beers on and the food was absolutely delicious. There was a really good choice of food with so many nice options and lots of varied specials on offer....

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Y44JUrachels . 2021-09-27

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Incredible food - each dish everyone had was absolutely delicious! The staff were helpful and welcoming and the food is such great value. Our meals were presented and tasted like dishes that would be at home in a fancy restaurant but for a much more...

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83hannahp . 2021-08-20

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We have eaten here several times and it has always been good but yesterday when they were very busy our lunch off the specials board was memorable. We both loved our smoked trout salad. I usually choose off the specials board and have never been...

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Carol B . 2021-08-05

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I telephoned 3 weeks in advance to book a table for 4. When we arrived a very rude man said there was no booking and I must have phoned another pub because they never made mistakes and were not taking bookings for Thursdays because they...

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oldclothears . 2021-07-22

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We happened to see a sign whilst on a day out to the nearby Kingston Lacy property, so decided to call in on our way home, and wow, what a find we had amazing Cream Tea’s and couple of cheeky drinks. Landlord was very accommodating...

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glenryck . 2021-05-31

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What can I say… BEAUTIFUL FOOD 👌👌 staff great, everything great and the roast beef 🥩 was like I’ve never had it came as a steak size portion and melted in the mouth!!! The veg / gravy EVERYTHING PERFECT 👍 WELL DONE TEAM glad to...

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Ben L . 2021-05-23

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Great lunch with friends at this friendly pub and a great spot for cyclists and walkers. They offer coffees and breakfast in the morning and cream teas later in the day. Well worth a visit.

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Senescence . 2021-05-20

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We had a very enjoyable meal and the food and service were very good. All tasted home cooked and the portions were generous. Quaint village setting in countryside. Worth a detour but book if you can.

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sjs1205 . 2020-10-26

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Visited late September for a family meal. Venue well organised to be Covid-safe. Really good service, with a couple of lovely pints of bitter to go with a delicious meal. I had the specials of a prawn starter and sirloin steak main - both really...

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hunterrf . 2020-10-04

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Visited a few times whilst staying locally, drank the highly potent 7.2% cider and had a superb breakfast another. Food was excellent and all local produce, the location was ideal, lots of cyclists and a great place to just people watch and take in the...

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StephenAP999 . 2020-09-18

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Starter of prawns was very good and looked forward to the steak burger made from aged beef steak (possibly that was the problem?!) The presentation was off putting, it was dry overcooked and tough with a thin piece of what looked like leather on it,however,...

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patriciasU2338LN . 2020-08-26

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As soon as we were ‘allowed out’ a visit to The Anchor was a must. We’ve been twice in the past couple of weeks and it was great to be back. On both occasions we sat outside, and enjoyed superb food, great wine (beer &...

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UkHappycouple . 2020-08-15

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Fantastic place for dinner, drink varieties slightly limited but the food was amazing, will definitely be back.

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662jackih . 2020-02-26

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I was very disappointed with the meal my family and I had recently at The Anchor, we had previously eaten here a few weeks before and overall everyone enjoyed their meals, however this time the majority definitely didn’t...... the felafel as a started was very...

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Y7999FVjanec . 2019-12-30

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Have wanted to go to The Anchor for a while as so many friends had recommended it so was treated to dinner here for my birthday. Received a warm welcome and ambience was cosy, warm and friendly. The menu is not huge but concentrates on...

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Teashopfan . 2019-12-20

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...and even worse customer service. I took my mum there for a treat, but unfortunately the food was inedible and when we complained, the staff were flat rude and said we obviously didn't read the menu correctly. I had cauliflower cheese, but it had truffle...

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980leilanie . 2019-12-04

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Mid-week, very quiet at lunchtime so the pub felt very cold all through the dining areas except in the small area by the fire. I ate my entire meal with my coat on. Not particularly welcoming. We sat at the end of the pub but...

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sibby . 2019-11-30

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Good gastro pub but dishes can be a bit hit and miss. Portions are also very large so come hungry. Wifes beef stew was excellent. My special Venison Ragu had far too much lemon flavour that overpowered everything else. Puddings are very good. Well kept...

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Siggyboy . 2019-11-01

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Visiting with friends for the first time we were welcomed on arrival and this included our dog! The lunch menu was varied but we selected from the specials board and the food that was served was of the highest quality. A very good experience which...

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pshome . 2019-10-22

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If you want a treat this Autumn , then visit this charming country Pub ! There is a pleasant , friendly atmosphere. Dogs are welcome !Best of all is the reliable standard of the cooking .

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Crabber2015 . 2019-10-19

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I came in here on my own, as my wife was entertaining her chums at home, and I didn't want to be the honorary girl. Given the opportunity to choose somewhere on my own patch, I researched familiar places as thoroughly as I would when travelling, and my first choice was the Anchor.It was an early winter night midweek, but the minute I walked in the door the warmth was apparent. Not the fire - the welcome. Sometimes solo diners feel a bit 'obvious', but I was drawn into this place by the cheery efforts to please.The Aubergine dish an earlier reviewer had rubbished was excellent, the flesh was firm enough, but the skin was crisp (how is that done?) and I found the dressing very agreeable. As for the New Forest Venison steak off the specials board, it was cooked perfectly, and its sauce was an appropriate, tasty accompaniment. A delicious pud, and a couple of glasses of reasonable house wine, and I was well content.On leaving I felt the same sense friendliness that characterised my whole evening.I'm encouraging my wife to invite her friends for dinner again - off to the Anchor for me.

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chuns . 2019-10-11

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We visited for lunch on a Thursday. We pre booked a table and arrived on time to a very quiet pub/restaurant. We last visited the Anchor for a Sunday lunch in the Spring and were very impressed. Hence our return visit.The menu is not vast but more than adequate for ‘pub grub’. However there were some ‘specials’ on the board and we decided that they would probably suit us better. My wife had the aubergine starter but at £7.50 it was very poor value for money. Three very small slices of aubergine with a goats cheese sauce poured over. The sauce did not look very appetising but was quite tasty (although a little too salty for healthy eating). There was a sprinkle of baby basil greenery on top! With aubergines being in season at the moment the portion should have been much bigger, or served on a smaller plate and of course should be cheaper! £7.50 is unjustifiable for this tiny offering. A bigger green garnish would have helped to make the dish look better too. I did not have a starter. For her main course my wife chose the plaice, which at nearly £20 was again rather expensive for the size of the fish. This came with crispy potatoes and a salad. She said the fish was nicely cooked and the crispy potatoes were also good but the salad was rather mundane. She wasn’t very keen on the poppy seed on the salad, as the texture made the leaves seem gritty! I had the roast shoulder of pork. Well the pork itself was lovely albeit the small piece of crackling was rubbery, not crunchy. It was served in a bowl-shaped dish, with the pork sitting atop a pile of vegetable hash. This consisted I think of potatoes, carrots (lots), courgette etc. The problem was that this time the portion of hash was far too large and it was quite salty. I have a big appetite but I could not finish the hash. I would have preferred the pork on a plate with some recognisable vegetables alongside. So it seems to me that this is pub grub at restaurant prices. Apart from that I think the chef needs to put away the Maldon salt pot and let the customers decide how much salt they would like.The meal in total, a starter and two mains with one soft drink and two coffees plus a fiver tip, cost nearly £50. So will we go back? No not at these prices as it is just not value for money. A shame really as the service was good and the staff all very nice. Incidentally I did make these comments to the staff before we left the restaurant.

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Winco47 . 2019-09-06

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A lovely cosy pub nestled in an old country village. Plenty of dining area and a nice selection of beers. We went for a quick lunch to try out the place for a future meeting. The menu was very good and offered a good choice with Vegetarians and vegans well catered for. They have a specials board too. The service was quick, efficient and friendly and the food well prepared, well presented and was lovely. If fault I have, it seemed to me that the pricing of some items was a bit expensive for pub food even if it was well done. I would like to see the cost of an evening meal for four with wine where I suspect the total could be a bit hefty. That said, lovely people, well worth a visit.

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TJA950 . 2019-08-20

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Excellent food and ambience. Booked an area for my mother’s lunchtime wake. They were very professional and looked after us very well.

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323jill . 2019-08-14

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Really nice pub meal in a community run pub deep in the heart of Dorset. Extensive menu for all comers. Parking is a bit tight and booking is a must as it's very popular. The Fish was excellent. Would recommend it

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JGManuel . 2019-08-11

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Another excellent lunch with family. Superb fish & chips and brilliant range of other meals. Friendly staff, lovely village x

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KRC53 . 2019-08-05

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Slightly strange Sunday lunch menu. I opted for the hake which was on specials menu without prawns and it came with new potatoes plus salad. My mum had the same but with prawns her salad had some tough leaves in it. My dad asked for the steak burger without the bun but got the bun anyway, the burger was dry but the chips were lovely. I didn't have a pudding but mum had the panna cotta which looked very pretty and dad just had a lemon sorbet. Friendly service. Not sure I would return

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emmaf190 . 2019-08-04

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A very pretty location. Friendly welcome by all the staff. An excellent roast beef. Loved the el dente vegetables. Dessert board had one of my favourites treacle tart Looking forward to another visit

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969valeriej . 2019-07-31

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Out looking for a country pub and came across this little gem. An excellent menu and absolutely amazing food. Sitting outside was lovely but looking inside for a repeat visit did not disappoint. We will definitely return next time we’re in the area.

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Izadora . 2019-07-29

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Really friendly staff,warmly welcomed. Delicious lunch...we had the special - swordfish burritos...yum!! Huge portion. Great menu. We will be back. Highly recommend.

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Frillymilly60 . 2019-07-27

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In all the years we’ve been sending guests to Kingston Lacy for the Gardens, Pamphill for the Bluebells and Badbury Rings for the views, we had not known that this beautiful little pub was the perfect ‘partner’ and all the better it’s VILLAGE OWNED AND RUN ☀️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Refreshing local beers, outstanding ‘gastro’ food and friendly professional service!

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BindonBottom . 2019-07-06

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We were lucky that despite being a sunny evening and no booking, The Anchor had a table. Warm welcome and speedy service, we were brought a bottle of viognier chilled to perfection.

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agricolaw . 2019-07-03

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The Anchor is not only run for the people by the people - it is owned by about twenty local people who put their hands in their pockets to save it and upgrade it a few years back. The result is a really traditional, pretty, happy pub run by enthusiastic and lovely staff. And the food is quite excellent, the helpings very generous. (The loos are clean and smell nice too!). We had a lovely lunch with some old friends - and we will be back!

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simonsarum . 2019-06-27

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Situated in the pretty village of Shapwick the Anchor is very popular and has some interesting meals. The service is good and fast and it is a busy place to visit, but the people running the pub are interested to make you comfortable and enjoy the place. Also there are some wonderful walks around the pub across the fields to the River Stour and also a very old church with a lot of history near the pub.

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Pippa354 . 2019-06-12

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After visiting Badbury Rings and seeing the Mill Lane bridge over the River Stour by the N.T. White Mill we drove the short distance to The Anchor. It had reasonable parking and facilities. On going to the bar we were welcomed by "mine host", we were given a table and our drinks that we ordered were brought to us. The New Forest venison burger was very tasty.

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Roger F . 2019-05-31

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My fiancé and I along with various other friends and family have eaten at the Anchor at least 15 times now and every time has been fabulous. We have never had a duff meal. The portions are generous and the quality of the food is unrivalled in Dorset. If you are looking for somewhere relaxed & friendly to eat lunch or dinner don’t hesitate but call & book a table, you won’t be disappointed.

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chloe25519 . 2019-05-28

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Stumbled across this pub whilst on our way to The White Mill (NT) @ Sturminster Marshall. Really warm greeting. Ordered 2 ploughman’s. Delicious. Good food, good beer, good friendly and efficient service. We even got an inside table as it got cloudy outside. This was despite the pub being very busy. Fully recommend this Countryside pub. Give it a go.

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Manohar50 . 2019-05-27

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Wednesday lunch time. Friendly welcome - we hadn’t booked and several tables had been reserved but we were comfortably accommodated. Good menu, well prepared and presented food. Pleasant ambience. All we had wanted. We’d gladly return if we are in the area again.

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WallopsCouple . 2019-05-09

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Stumbled upon this pub after visiting the bluebells a day Kingston Lacy. The service was excellent and the food was really tasty. Thank you 😊

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MissPeacock1 . 2019-04-21

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One of my longest friends was visiting North Dorset. Living in Weymouth we were not only looking for a pub between us but one that was ‘dog friendly’ too.

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Glen_Castelino . 2019-04-19

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Went here today for a pub lunch and we were not disappointed. We all had an open sandwich of the most amazing pulled beef on seeded thick bread with salad and great crispy chips all for £7.95 which we thought was not bad value as plenty on the plate. We say outside as gorgeous day but interior was lovely. Would definitely go back again and would also recommend.

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852wendyb . 2019-04-18

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We went to The Anchor to raise money for a local charity. I spotted some fermented Korean-style vegetables as part of a starter. Delicious and perfectly balanced. Followed by fries Moule with donated mussels from Shetland which were perfect and the best chips which any of us had ever had.

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MarkF389 . 2019-04-08

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The Anchor is tucked away, yet close to some of Dorset great attractions. They do a cracking Sunday roast and I can think of few better places for a sneaky pint when out cycling.

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Vdubatthepub . 2019-04-01

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Very nice pub the landlord was very accommodating and friendly.

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. 2019-03-29

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Friends recommendation, quiet pub, traditional feel, great selection of ales, warm friendly welcome, ordered food, quick service, food very good, excellent value for money, would definitely suggest that it’s worth a visit.

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. 2019-03-26

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Ganz wie man sich England vorstellt, kleines Dorf mit schiefen Dächern, enge Straßen und viel grün. Sehr gemütliches Restaurant mit viel Liebe zum Detail, freundlicher Service und eine tolle Karte mit nicht zu viel Auswahl aber genau richtig um sich schnell zu entscheiden. Mein Lamm Burger war leider recht trocken und nicht so originell aber das 16 Stunden gekochte Roastbeef war ein Traum und sollte jeder probiert haben. Allein schon wegen der Landschaft sollte man nach einem Spaziergang oder dem Besuch des nahen Anwesens „Kingston Lacy“ dort einkehren.

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. 2019-03-18

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We visited on a Friday evening, and the staff were welcoming, really friendly, attentive and accommodating. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, whilst the interior still speaks quality with beautiful seating and a real fire right in the middle.

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. 2019-03-17

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Great food and service at a good price in this out of the way place that is worth seeking out. Lovely atmosphere and very dog friendly.

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. 2019-03-09

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We had fish and chips, fish was very pale and some of the chips still rather firm. It was all edible so did not comment. Waiting staff fine. Highlight was crusty rolls with butter.

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. 2019-03-09

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Love this place in the summer sitting outside with the dogs under the table a nice glass of wine and good food in front of you just sitting watching the world drive by is my ideal of heaven

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. 2019-03-02

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