The Square and Compass Inn in Purbeck

Have been to this amazing pub when on holiday so many times, my favourite pub in the UK. Just finishing my craft cider after a lovely home made pasty, and sitting on the stone seats outside with husband and dogs. Bliss.

Proper pub! Great cider. We visited when they were holding a pumpkin festival so it was really busy. However the people waiting in the queues were patient and cheerful. The pumpkin curry and homepressed cider were well worth waiting for.

I don't come here expecting particularly fast service, or gourmet gastro pub food, I come here because it's a real old stone pub, with stone furniture set high up overlooking the English Channel with good beer and hearty pasties and pies. For this reason it's popular with many, so under the circumstances they're usually pretty busy - but also efficient and friendly under pressure, and rightly happy with what they offer. The vast majority of reviews on here are positive - the negative ones, I fear, miss the point entirely. A hatch in the wall pub is a thing of beauty - a rare site this side of 50 years ago. Dogs are made welcome too - but be considerate, there are chickens roaming around the back. I hope they never change their formula to appease those wanting a more corporate mass market feel that can be had almost anywhere else.

We always make sure we visit the S&C on our annual break in Swanage, & this time was no exception. We love old pubs, & this has to be one of the best - def one of the best-preserved olde worlde inns in Dorset. We love the tiny bar where customers patiently queue for their drinks & snacks - a good beer range, & perfect pub-grub as always to suit all tastes. There's a huge car park just a short walk up the hill which is very convenient (don't forget to check out the famous 'woodhenge' while you're there!), and we love tte oudoor seating on various benches & rocks outside, with that lovely view across the sea. We really enjoyed our visit - there's also regular live music here too, and a quirky little museum. Can't wait to return on our next visit to Swanage!

After a long walk the ideal watering hole, good ale and cider, pie and cockles, we visited daily or twice daily. A little gripe, why dog owners find it acceptable not to clean up their dogs mess, and I’m talking as a dog owner…

Sometimes a place so completely captures the zeitgeist that it is awarded Legend status is one’s memory. The Square and Compass was one of these places. A trip to Dorset had been meticulously planned after watching Bill Bailey’s Perfect Pub Walks on TV. This pub had indeed featured on the programme but it was another pub which had been central to our plans and the focus of our trip with its not so local to Dorset cuisine. That pub was massively disappointing…But I’m rarely a writer of poor reviews so I’ll move on. After a walk in the area we kind of stumbled on this pub and as it was on my list of pub possibilities and as it was nearby we thought we’d give it a go. The carpark in the little village of Worth Matravers can hold a good few cars and to my surprise (and very rare in England) was free but politely asked for donations to aid upkeep. Less than 30 seconds walk was the pub. It was a gorgeous spring evening and there was a sizeable crowd of customers seated outside. We found a bench in the side garden and then I headed off looking for the bar only to be dismayed when I realised the long queue at a serving hatch was the ‘bar’. There was a side ‘hatch’ with no queue where I was greeted by a polite and charming chap. I ordered a local ale for me (Tall Tales Ale) and Bohemia craft lager for my wife. The pasties had been recommended to me by a friend so we ordered a cheese and onion pasty and a steak pasty. Both the beers were great and the pasties lived up to their hype -large, filled to bursting with flavour and content. The views from the bench over the local countryside provide a lovely setting and the dog that appeared wasn’t too pushy in asking for a little try of the food. In true Zipadeedooda style a little Robin landed nearby and was rewarded with crumbs of pastry as the pasty was too good to keep to oneself. We made repeated visits to this pub trying g different ales over the next few days and each visit was lovely. The drinks, food, ambience are fantastic and despite the constant queue at the hatch the staff were without fail courteous and polite. I cannot speak highly enough of this pub

Boiling hot day, decided to pop over from Poole to The Square and Compass at Worth Matravers. Haven't been there for many years. Wonderful friendly, happy staff. PASTIES TO DIE FOR!! I have never tasted such amazing pasties. (choice of contents) Being a pig, I felt it would be rude not to try one of their sausage rolls, made by a local lady. Pork & herb or pork and chorizo. EXCELLENT! topped off by Dorset apple cake and honeycomb Purbeck ice cream. Sat outside under a 'brolly' with panting dog, (hose available to soak hot dogs!) and wonderful views. Can't recommend highly enough. They have music some nights as well google for full details. "I'll Be Back!"

Just a beautiful and quirky pub, fantastic pies! We also had the weather which made it so perfect. Quite a squeeze using the bar and ordering the drinks, but these seems to add to the loveliness of it along with the staff.

I was glad we went but it was all a bit chaotic. The entrance is too narrow and there was a long wait for the food which was chiefly a series of different pasties- and very tasty they were to when we eventually got them. Outside is also crowded and the whole beer garden needs an overhaul- it is bumpy rocky and a bit exposed to the elements and there are too few places to sit down. Also, I was surprised the premises use real glasses for outdoors- this is dangerous with so many children running around and places where the glasses could smash. I would have thought real glasses outside was in breach of the Premises License- if not, it ought to be. Great little pub though.

Excellent, traditional / historical village pub with large garden bar, wide selection of cider and beer. Small, but well stocked museum room. Exposed beams, low plaster ceilings, regular entertainment.

Following a visit to the royal marines memorial nearby we popped in to the S&C for some refreshments and we're mightily impressed. The range of pasties was good, the beer tasty and the views stunning. It is a quirky place with a serving hatch rather than a traditional bar but we were served by our friendly host and sat in the sun overlooking the ocean. If you are in the area you simply have to pay a visit, you won't regret it!

Find somewhere else. Limited food of pies or pastry alternatives and the two we tried were not good. Dark Limited seating . The only good point is the view.

Great, simple pub serving beer, wine and pasties…. Don’t go expecting a gastro experience but it’s a real gem taking you back in time!

Just the perfect pub after a stunning costal walk whether you want a log fire or sea view. Why serve anything else when the pasties are sooooo good, hot and filling accompanied by perfect ales.

Had a meltdown today lost my phone, got lost and exhausted my puppy. I made my way to the pub and was warmly welcomed. Used their telephone and the staff gave me kind words and a cup of tea. Will return for a glass of Mulled Cider really soon

There is a great choice of beers, lots of different beers and well kept. The pub has a large outdoor seating area. We came on a Sunday afternoon, the weather was very nice and there was live music. Not surprisingly, the pub was absolutely rammed. The way you order drinks is very inefficient. There is a small hatch inside the pub at the end of a long narrow corridor and only one or two people can be served at any time and, after ordering their drinks, they stand at the hatch waiting for them to be served. So a really long queue can form at busy times and the service can be quite slow. So if you're not in a hurry it's a good place to get a good beer.

We were recommended this pub before our holiday break in Dorset . It was a very rainy night on Halloween and we parked in the car park a few minutes from the pub , we made our donation of £2 for the up keep of the community car park . Our first visit was excellent. We were made very welcome by Nathan behind the bar and we loved every minute of our visit . The food was hot and delicious. The carrot and parsnip soup was exceptional so we ordered another ! We will be back in sunnier weather to sample the views and the large selection of cider and ales . Could this pub be duplicated in North Nottinghamshire please ? !

Amazing pasties with a wide range of beer and cider= a fabulous place for lunch. Not changed in years. Lets keep it that way. the damson cider was outstanding

Interesting old pub with unusual layout. The serving bar is a doorway and can get congested and a bit chaotic when I was there. Staff are friendly and helpful. I expect indoors is cosy in winter and, in the good weather it is nice to sit out in the spacious frontage. Small museum at the side of fossils collected by the owner and family. Free parking can be had at times in the adjoining road or else in the car park approaching the pub.

This must be one of the last British institutions to uphold a great simplicity. Great bear, the sausage rolls, chorizo is a must, great locals who engage you rather than look at you with an absence of distance. The views are fantastic. If you require a step back in time to appreciate how life should be, this is your best watering hole

A pub not to be missed, the cider is excellent, people sit and talk to each other and the steak pasty was great.

We've been here on numerous occasions, during summer holidays, over the years. The pub is still very quirky and full of character. It also stocks a good supply of real ales and ciders too, along with light bites. One of the main attractions for us has always been the delicious Cornish pasties and cheese and vegetables pie. They always used to be made with melt in the mouth pastry and very tasty fillings. This time round my husband and I shared one of the butternut squash pasties and a Cornish one. Unfortunately the recipe/supplier must have changed. Both pasties had tough pastry and the fillings were rather dry - most disappointing, especially after a long walk. The atmosphere of the pub was still friendly and welcoming but, unless we hear that the food has improved, we won't be returning for a meal in the future.

We regularly visit the Square and Compass which we have for many years. It is a wonderful place to visit whatever the season and there is always a huge choice of beer and cider. There are great music nights to add to the charm of the place! I recommend this pub very highly!

Camping in the area and heard this place was the bees knees and so pleased we made the effort to go. They only serve pasties & pies on paper plates but we loved the "basic" nature of this and our steak pasties and cheese & vegetable pie were absolutely full with tasty filling wrapped in gorgeous pastry! This with a great cider selection and stunning views sat at quirky stone tables makes this beautiful pub worth the trip! (Note that parking is just around the corner in the village car park on the hill. £2 fee into a slot in a wall, no machine & no ticket issued, we didn't have £2 so donated the approx. 90p change we had in the car! Not sure if the £2 is a suggested donation but as there seemed to be no proof of payment we went with that and no fine was issued! This is certainly not a negative on the pub, just an FYI for visitors who are used to Ringo & CCTV parking life!) 😀

One of my favourite pubs in this country. I have been coming here for over 40 years and it really hasn’t changed much at all (a good thing). What they do, they do very well - locally brewed beer & cider, pasties and pies, all served up by friendly, helpful staff. Quaint bars and snug areas inside and perfectly stunning views outside. It’s a lovely spot to sit, enjoy a great pint and relax

this place is a great example of doing one thing and doing it right. They only serve pies (including pasties) and they do them very well. Oh, and the beers is good too.

Rubbish one serving hatche for the plebs ( tourists) another for the locals. Touists cueing up for trays full of beer and pasties and crisps Locals laughing at plebs in cue while they get served instantly with one pint. Been here several times before and it was never like this happened twice in 3 days. Will not recomend to anyone else again and i will not return. When the locals are laughing at people queing it is not very nice.kingsArms in langton is far more friendlier. Treated far nicer

Fabulous place with museums and great views. Loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Great pies and cider

Totally unique pub in the most beautiful part of the world. How many other pubs have their own museum? Take a seat outside at one of the tables and benches carved from local stone with amazing views of the area and just soak up y atmosphere. Expect to queue for the tiny bar and don't expect fancy food, just pasties (very average) on a paper plate and salad (tasty) in a box. Parking is up the hill 5 minutes away. Great walks.

The lovely man in a hat gave me an umbrella in my cider and complimented my waistcoat. Delicious homemade cider and sexy decor.

Great food, great atmosphere. Good selection of local drinks, Pub hasn’t changed for years. We last visit it in 1979. Great walks in area

Walked all the way from Swanage and back for a very disappointing steak pasty and cheese and vegetable pie. The pasty lacked steak and the pie lacked cheese. Not a patch on when we were last here. Different supplier?

Mmmmmmmmm been here a million times and keep returning as it’s just a real English pub …but I have to walk to winspit first and on my return stop for a pie and a pint ….😊😊😊😊

We have been here several times when we've been down on Holiday it's very quaint and lovley in the Summer Months

We come here about three times a year. Today we were disappointed with our experience. Don’t know if this once great pub has changed hands, but it is not the same. The card machine had not been charged over night, leading to long queues. My...

It was such a privilege to have watched Debbie and Ashley of Rag Mama Rag last weekend performing live 🎶 🎤 💛 but the venue was filled with silly drunks including the owner and we won’t be going back no more no more no more...

Best pub in the world, with its home brewed cider. Lovely local made pasties, roaring fire ln the winter and great non spoilt pub features.

Been coming here for years . Just one of the best pubs in the entire country. Great beer , great environment.....you can't fake this .

Very friendly pub. The weather was warm (for January) and it was lovely sitting outside looking at the view. The pasties were delicious.

This is a no frills pub with excellent real ale and a fairly limited food menu - soup; steak pasties; cheese pies; etc. It's real family run pub. There's a log fire inside and fantastic views down to the sea outside. There's a small museum...

What a treasure, nothing much has changed here since smugglers frequented the Inn. It is a lovely tavern with low ceilings warm atmosphere, log fires and even its own Museum! Great for kids young and old with lots of Jurassic coast exhibits. It is small...

Great beer, great food and arguably one of the best pubs in at least England and possibly the UK, therefore the world. Please never change.

Visited after a long walk. Rewarded and very happy with their range of beers. Real ales,real ciders aplenty. Authentic interesting building.Bit of a chaotic queue to get served.Staff busy gossiping. Locals seemed to push in ……and get served! Not so good. Great location. A great...

Came to the restaurant after 3pm .They had stopped serving, but we explained were on holiday from the States and soon after James was so accommodating as well as the Chefs Andy & Simon, Cloe, & the server Jennifer that they served us early when...

A really lovely 'old world' pub serving real ales and the nicest pasties. The elevated and exposed beer garden has a high view of the English Channel. Sitting outside in the sea breeze gives a feeling of being up in the sky. Lovely stone furniture...

As others have said, a really quirky pub with a magic formula. We stopped here for lunch and the cheese and veg pie and steak pasty were superb. The bar staff were upbeat and welcoming and more than happy to provide samples of cider to...

What a gem we found whilst out on our bikes.....ok we knew it was there and planned our route to allow for a beverage and food ;-) Beer was excellent, pasties awesome and the bar staff friendly and helpful... What more can you want for...

I doubt that my review is needed but will add my praise. I NEVER eat pies but this is the only thing on the menu and wanted to try this legend of a pub. Just superb. Pastry was exquisite with lots of filling. Together with...

had a pasty and Kiss me Kate cider made at the premises...The Purbeck icecream made a delicious dessert.

We've been coming here for 40 years and it is what it is . Great beer, great atmosphere ,great location. There is no magic formula to a fabulous pub , no box ticking , it's either bloody brilliant or it's not ...and this IS .

Everything good that's been said before, amazing location, quirky serving hatches, good selection of drinks. There was a queue before the pub had even opened but it moved along quickly. Sadly we didn't have food as we had eaten a substantial breakfast but the pasties...

I was on a very long circular walk and was so pleased to finally arrive here! I was rather shocked at the limited menu, but the cheese and veg pie was delicious and very warm despite the paper plate. I was offered a sample of...

I’d never been here before. My friends brought me today for a pint and some food. The cheese and veg pie was spectacular. The pasties were lush too. As for the ale - very well kept. Looking forward to coming here again. The views were...

A great traditional pub. Great range of local beers and ciders. Simple menu, one meat and one vegetarian option. Cosy rooms, quirky museum and outdoor seating with distant view of the sea. Fantastic. Popular with locals and tourists.

Recently frequented this pub with a group of friends. Unaware there was a band/duet playing. The pub was very busy which I get if there is live music on. At the interval of the (mediocre at best) duet we were told to Lee our chatter...

Came here halfway through a walk from kimmeridge to swanage and pleased with service and quality of food and drink. Quirky place where you queue up to be served from two hatches inside the pub but staff are friendly and helpful. Would recommend steak pasty...

Very quirky little pub. Random that you are given your food on a paper plate especially when the food is hot. Ale was great and we were tickled by the fire exit sign that was above a window which would for an average size person...

I first came her in the 70s....50 years have passed and this still a gem......Billy winspit....only those of a certain age will know who I am referring to.....I used to have a beer with him This place is the business how I wish many other...

For me, this is one of the best pubs in the country. I don’t normally drink cider but it’s all I’d drink in this pub because it’s so difficult anywhere else to find such superb still, dry ciders. Beers are good too. Pasties are very...

Started at NT Speyway car park and did 5 mile circular walk stopping off at Dino prints at Keates quarry and on to worth Mactavers for pasty cider and apple cake. Pub well known by all walkers and interesting fossil collections there too. Then back...

We stayed near by & walked to this pub every evening for a pint & half of Eves Idea cider. Absolutely lovely, medium & smooth & having one of their pasties. I liked the steak pasty & the cheese pie, the other food that was...

5. This is a pub , old school, pint and a pastie, no capuchinos just a choice of pastie! Meat , veg or gluten free…….(?) Long may it stay like this!

Living in Dorset we visit the Square quite frequently, Our grown up children live all over the world and all of them insist that we go to the Square if they are down to visit us. It is difficult to articulate what is so special....

This was my 2nd visit, my first since covid and I cannot help but feel that the S&C is one of the finest pubs in the UK, but with caveats, though the caveats are about the expectations of the customers, not what the pub does...

A brief visit this evening 23 January and on entering the atmosphere hit me like a mallet- roaring log fire and friemdly atmosphere, if that atmosphere could be bottled it would be the foundation for a multi million £ export business but in reality it...

Never been made to feel so unwelcome in a pub. Good luck keeping the business going if that's how you welcome customers.

You won't find a cosier pub! The fire roars, the real ale is well kept, and the staff are genuinely welcoming and ready to make real conversation. I could live there to be honest...

We found a long lost quarry, amazing worth the hike down. Back to The Pub. Wow, Queued for five minutes as we decided to sit outside. A pint and a half of Red Devon Cider between us and two brilliant pasties! The chap who served...

Everyone knows the S&C and its idiosyncrasies. Most people love it as a characterful old no-nonsense pub with great beer and a hyper-simplified food offering - basically pasty or pie... It really is fabulous. The only downside is a side-effect of one of the trad...

Unique out of the way Pub high up on the Purbeck Hills. Beautiful views overlooking the hills and sea. Very popular with walkers, steer clear at weekends! Very little seating indoors so be prepared to wrap up and sit outside to enjoy the views. Only...

I love the square and compass for its simplicity, drinks (cider, ales, wine etc) +\- a pasty. Beautiful surroundings to enjoy them!

This was recommended as a must! And it is ! Lovely views, great outdoor space and truly unique! Good choice of local ales direct from the barrel! No pumps in sight! Service us via 2 hatches but service was good. A queue did form as...

Does simple food, steak, cheese n veg or vegan pasty and apple cake. All v reasonable at £4 ish. And good ales. Noticed a big beer garden round the back now too. Bit of a queue at times, but worth the wait.

Anyone visiting the Swanage area should have lunch at the Square and Compass. It is unique. Very popular, very unusual. A limited offering, but what it does it does very well.

Great choice of local beers and ciders, accompanied by hot pasties. Large outdoor seating area in which to enjoy both and admire the views. Perfect for walkers.

Pies. Ales. Cider. Views. Dogs. Chickens. Want something else or something more, go to a sad Wetherspoons. This place makes most of its ale and cider locally, the pies are local also. A museum of local history and heritage is also worth checking out each...

This is just what you need after a big hike around the area to Dancing Ledge and back. We somehow managed to take a very hilly route up and down the valleys and were absolutely wrecked by the time we got back to the pub....

Unique little pub, good range of beers including Draught Guinness and local Ciders. The food options are limited but the pasties everyone was eating, including me, were fabulous. Cracking venue after a mornings walking along the coastal path highly recommended

Popped in on our way to Swanage. A two minute wait to order our drinks and pasties. On the day of our visit, the choices were steak, cheese, vegan or lamb. Blimey, they were great. So nice to see people enjoying themselves at this great...

We visited this pub after a family walk to Dancing Ledge. They only serve pasties for food but they were substantial and delicious. I had a still cider which made a perfect accompaniment. It’s a great old fashioned pub and well worth a visit.

Ignore negative reviews, yes the drinks may take a little longer but what’s the rush? Enjoy the dog on the roof, the chickens, the views, the fresh air - there’s no worries here. Pasties are fantastic and loving the additions of vegan pasties too! We’ve...

We visited this highly rated pub on July 3rd, having just paid for local car park, to be told that we couldn’t order beers and pasties as they were full. There were empty tables in view but guy in charge said that we would have...

Stopped here for a drink and sat outside in the sunshine on the stone slabs. Quite busy, After you have sanitised and done the QRCode your given a menu and number. A member of staff calls out your number and takes your order. It was...

Absolutely perfect pub. Ignore any negative gripes, because they are clearly from negative people. Perfect sea view, extremely friendly & efficient staff & a lovely pint & homemade pasty.

We went to this pub today which has lovely views and friendly staff but we were very disappointed with the slow service. We do understand that due to covid it is difficult to serve quickly but the ticketing system meant a wait of about half...

Good beer, attentive staff, and the best pasties ever. I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven! Keep your OS map handy though to swipe at the ravenous chickens if your sitting in the garden, there’ll have your pasty in the blink of an eye!...

Huge outdoor area to enjoy a pint and the fantastic views. Extremely attentive friendly staff and the efforts put in to make it feel like an enjoyable experience during these trying times is wonderful. It’s not lost any of the experience I would have enjoyed...

Weather was quite chilly, despite sitting there for what felt like ages, took too long serving no blankets or heaters whilst outside. Left without even having a drink.

This is a great place to have lunch at the end of one of the many beautiful walks on this part of the coast. It is in a super location. Given the COVID restrictions, they did a good job providing a fast, efficient and friendly...

Completed a coastal walk and stopped here for a pint. Sat outside in the sun and had a great view. Beer ( Moonlight) was great, service was very good and pub was very well organised. Would go there again.

My Wife & I have been going since 1982, originally with our 3 Children - We were on Holiday in Studland for a week and went 3 times - I had lots of Sit Down Cider & Sue had their Devon Red both Tip Top - Their Pasties are a work of art, usually followed by the excellent Apple Sponge & Ice Cream - It's so encouraging to see a Pub keep it so simple whilst absolutely Nailing It! We live in West Wickham in Kent and all our favorite Pubs have gone very badly backwards - Please give the Pub a try if your close by as it's totally unique - Mike & Sue

The best pub, which the family love going to whenever we are in the Isle of Purbeck. Lovely location, friendly staff, good beer, excellent meat pasty/veg pie. Simple but spot on.

What a fantastic place to end a windy walk on Purbeck. Great selection of traditional cider and perry. Cheese and veg pies were delicious. COVID measures were spot on- some of the best we’ve experienced in pubs. Thanks to all the staff for making us feel comfortable.

If you go in Autumn (or I suspect winter) you feel transported back to the ye olde days. We stopped off for respite, a pie and a pint on a blustery and rainy October day day. Pure magic.

This is a classic pub, no frills just good beer ( made by them in Swanage) And some excellent homemade cider. In our opinion the cheese pasties were better than the meat!! Great views and so many walks from here. Not sure they had enough staff to cope with the new covid system, ie get a number from the bar then wait for someone to come and take your order ( outside) . We rumbled this and ordered 2 drinks at a time, but watched a couple of groups get up and leave , after an hour of waiting . However, this won’t be forever . Don’t let this deter you , The Square and Compass should be on anyone’s itinerary .

I had lunch at the Square and Compass after a nice coastal walk. The location is superb with a garden with a sea view charmingly furnished with a range of different styles of stone benches and tables. They only served outside and were taking Covid measures very seriously. They ensured everyone was either scanning the QR code with the NHS app or giving details in a book. After this check-in, you get a number and they call out to come and take your order from your seat. There was a bit of a wait as it was busy but they were overall well organised. They are only serving a limited range of pasties and pies. I had a beef pasty, which sadly didn't taste of anything (I wonder if the chef forgot to add salt and pepper). I also had a tub of Purbeck ice cream, which was delicious and partially made up for the poor pasty.

Visited the Square and Compass on Sunday after reading all the reviews, we ordered a beer, cider and two steak pies. The drinks were great but the pies - ugh! They were awful, lukewarm and tastlesss. I wish I had ordered the cheese pasty. We waited for half an hour for the pub to open full of anticipation of a great snack before continuing on our walk but wasn't to be. The staff are friendly and views are worth sitting and having a drink for but would avoid the steak pies!

Location fantastic, staff fantastic,beer fantastic, working with covid distancing got it sorted, The square is a gem, Well done

Nice pub, sensibly only allowing punters to drink outside. Well organised, pretty place, good pint and great pasties!

We had a long walk along the coastal path from the Castle and were rewarded with local cider and delicious pasties and by far our favourite the Spiced Lamb Sausage roll! A very popular pub and deservedly so!