The Talbot Hotel Pub in North Dorset

Nice typical English pub, We enjoyed dinner and a beer and were served by an very kind waitress. The fiid was very English and good. it was not an authentic cozy old atmospheric pub, but well for just tonight.

The pub changed hands in November last year so all reviews prior to this date relate to the previous owners. We booked for Sunday lunch and were immediately disappointed that only roast pork and chicken were on the menu. Service was basic - and the food when it arrived was disappointing. The portion size was for a child as you can see from the picture - a postage stamp sized piece of crackling and one piece of broccoli (although additional crackling was provided when requested). The stuffing ball was tiny, burnt and was clearly out of a packet and the roast potatoes were charred. We couldn’t wait to leave and will certainly not be returning.

A rustic old world pub, very clean, great staff and fabulous breakfast. A little worn in places but definitely didn’t impact my stay, great selection of drinks at the bar and although didn’t dine other than breakfast the menu was good and reasonably priced.

We run an Airbnb locally so thought we should see whats what so that we can recommend to our guests or not! We were given a table in the bay window which was great as I usually get given tables by the loos! However the windowsill had some strange chunks of wood covered in fungus on them along with a peace Lilly that was thirsty and a random bottle of vinegar as well as another random piece of wood. It was all rather odd. The menu was on the blackboard. Other half chickened out of the mussels because the place was pretty un busy and we were concerned re turnover of shellfish etc. We both opted for the leek and potato soup. This was nice but not wow. There was bread with it but no butter. He had a burger for main which he said was great and I had chilli and rice. The meat in the chilli had an odd texture almost as if they had cooked a burger, broken it up into pieces and added it to a chilli sauce. That said it had good flavours and was pleasant. We didn’t have pudding. Atmosphere was non existent. Decor is nice. They are trying and I know it’s hard, but they need to think about the things that people notice when they are waiting for food including less than clean cutlery and very strange items on a windowsill! Staff very young but polite and ok. No sign of a publican. They are right opposite a public school, the only pub in the village, and on a main road through the village and on the route to and from the coast so I think they need to sharpen up a bit! As it stands at the moment I won’t be suggesting my guests visit The Talbot.

Just popped in for a quick bite and a pint, normally just past this place without a thought and it was a great atmosphere and good selection of bottled beer the food was also a good standard well done guys

Really tasty, very generous sandwiches with a delicious portion of coleslaw on the side. Charming, swift and efficient service (17 of us in a walking group ordering and paying individually which has caused complications in other establishments).

Myself and my partner stayed one night was a very friendly warm cosy atmosphere. the staff were very friendly and helpful. The room had a lovely balcony and had everything you needed, it was very clean the breakfast you had enough options to pick from. nothing was to difficult for them. they also booked us a taxi before hand to save us the trouble once down their. definitely will stay again such a beautiful part of the country.

Located between Shaftesbury and Blandford the Talbot is an excellent place to stay if you want to explore the beautiful Dorset countryside. We were met with a very warm welcome from the staff and had a lovely cosy bed. The breakfast was delicious!

When we visited the pub they were clearly having a terrible night. There was one other table in the restaurant and they were sending back 3 of their main courses for a second time when we arrived. It didn’t bode well. Unfortunately our group of 4 could not eat the starters we ordered. The whitebait were soggy, slimy and wet, almost as though they’d been microwaved. The chicken wings were not heated thoroughly enough, they were warm in some places but stone cold near the bone. The staff we really pleasant and very accommodating when we pointed the issues out. We really had no confidence that our main meals were going to be any better so we decided to pay for our drinks and leave. I nipped to the ladies before leaving and found the restroom in total darkness….and not a sheet of toilet paper to be found. I’m in all, a very tired looking and badly run place!

If this place was in Blandford I would have been in it, but it isn't; so I haven't. I wouldn't fancy staggering home from here, it's miles from Blandford.

No heating, shower was cold even after complaining every day. Land lady is rude and obnoxious and would rather sit at bar drinking than sort anything out. This is the 2nd time I’ve written this review as the first one has mysteriously disappeared. Was made to feel that our business was not good enough despite spending 2 weeks at the property as was working in the area. Apparently they are looking at updating the hotel which is a welcome sight but I believe they should start with the management!

We were staying locally and fancied a change for our evening meal so being dog friendly we gave his place a try nd boy was it worth it The staff and owners made a fuss of our dogs and served us some great food Next time we are down that way we will use this as a place to stay My wife left her scarf at the pub and they are kindly forwarded it back home

The chicken burger with cheddar was really tasty. Friendly staff and a few lovely dogs to pat too. We were told there would be a wait for our food, but we were happy to relax in the beer garden while we waited for the yummy food.

Positives: -Good food with generous portions -Some friendly staff -Clean -Apologised after a long wait for our food Negatives: -Extremely poor table service due to incredibly long wait time, e.g. 40 minutes for 2 desserts -Soundtrack of 3 songs on repeat (no exaggeration!) -No toilet roll Overall, it wasn't quite the meal we envisaged for a family celebration! It's likely that we were unlucky and at other times it would be a great place for a group meal. The chef came out to apologise to us at the end of the night, however at this point we all just wanted to go home. More staff would improve the experience as this was clearly an issue of not having enough people on shift to meet the demand.

Stopped here for some food on the way home from a day out. Chose this pub as its dog friendly. Although there was nothing negative about the service from the bar , we were very disappointed about the really long wait for our food which was 50 minutes from ordering. The food when it did finally arrive was ok but certainly not the best and a bit sloppy. The menus could do with an update as they appeared very tatty and did not have any £ signs next to the choices so we were a bit confused as to if these numbers were the prices or what? I wont be coming back here as I think first impressions are very important and because of such a long wait, it has put me off.

We have now twice walked over from a neibouring village to The Talbot and have enjoyed an evening meal. The bar tender and chef are always friendly and attentive. The food is fresh and plentiful. We enjoyed fish and chips tonight and the fish was beautiful. We ate every scrap. It’s a bonus that our dog is allowed in too.

Stayed for the night whilst visiting relatives. The pub was recommended otherwise might have driven straight by as needs a little refreshing on the outside. However , arrived to find it doesn’t open till five so the two of us plus a party of four went into the village for a coffee- have to say that it is one of the prettiest villages in England. Once in the pub all was fine- rooms nicely decorated , spotlessly clean and excellent breakfast both choice and quality and exceptionally friendly staff. Brilliant value for money.

Stopped here for impromptu lunch after walk with kids and dog. The best roast in a pub I’ve had for a long time. Lovely food properly cooked. No bells and whistles just honest grub using local produce. Daughter had the homemade vegetarian burger which was great. Will definitely stop again if passing. Well done Talbot Hotel.

Highly recommend this wonderful pub. Absolutely delicious Sunday lunch. Dog made to feel very welcome and extra request for roast potatoes no problem. Will definitely visit again when in the area.

We booked for just one nights stay which was just perfect. The staff were absolutely fantastic, friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The food was fantastic and good value for money. The chef and the staff were very attentive. The room was really comfortable and we both had a really good nights sleep.

We had an impromptu stop for Sunday lunch today and we're certainly not disappointed. Friendly welcome as soon as we walked in. Warm and cosy atmosphere real log fire. Excellent roast beef Sunday lunch beautifully cooked and presented delicious fresh vegetables and a full gravy boat placed on the table. A meal you didn't want to end as every mouthful was delicious. Unfortunate we didn't have time to enjoy a desert but we will certainly be returning and taking friends with us.

Excellent pub with really friendly and helpful staff. I turned up just a bit late for the kitchen to be open but they sorted me out a sandwich, which I was very much in need of! Felt nice and welcoming in there I will be back for a meal again, only this time I'll be there at the right time!

Booked at the last moment so I think was cheaper than normal but even at the standard price I would recommend it. We had a suite, so seperate room for our daughter and seperate bathroom and a great breakfast next day. Regulars in pub freindly too. Would go again.

We stopped in the talbot on our way home (westbury wilts) from Weymouth with our son who is 12 for some food and we are so glad we did!!! When we walked in we were greeted lovely and made to feel very welcome, the menu has a good choice of food on, I have certain special requirements with my food and the lady that took our order re read it all back to us to make sure she had it all down correctly there was no rush, then the chef come out from the kitchen and again went through my special requirements which we thought was very nice indeed!!! The food is all cooked from fresh and was absolutely delicious,we thoroughly enjoyed our meal so a big thank you to all of the team at the talbot and for making us feel so welcome, we highly recommend anyone to stop here and especially order the steaks.

I went last Friday to meet a couple of friends for dinner. Website and reviews seemed to indicate they didn't do food but thankfully they do and it was excellent. I had the fish and chips. Huge portion and delicious. Staff were very friendly. Reviews on here are misleading as there has recently been a change of ownership. The landlord could not have been more welcoming and the pub and terrace were full of happy relaxed customers. We all had a great evening and I'd definitely recommend this to anyone. Ignore earlier reviews - this is the reincarnation!

Good value for money and good breakfast but despite turning the radiator off the room was very hot on a cold spring night. In the end I had the window open but very noisy as it faces the road. The pub seems to be dog friendly which will be a bonus for some but there was a tapping dog in the neighbouring bedroom, barking until midnight

Ok for a pint but no food. Staff seem accommodating and there is a nice fire. Not amazing. Opens at 5pm. That’s about it really.

We picked this place on the basis of previous positive reviews, but having stayed there we find it almost impossible to recognise the place. The hotel we stayed at was shabby and unwelcoming. By 8.30 on Saturday evening there were only 5 people in the bar, so presumably most locals feel the same.

Stayed for one night whilst attending a wedding nearby. The manager, Brett, was friendly, chatty and even offered to drive us to the venue, which we took him up on as taxis in the area were hard to come by, we discovered.

The hotel is on the main road and not in the village of Iwerne Minster itself.As SatNav not working we had to ring the hotel to find its location! The building was refurbished about 6 months ago and its' style is very much in the current trend of "shabby chic". A mixture of new and old. The room was extremely spacious, with a retro feel about it. Gplan 70's style furniture. Reminded me of my childhood! All the rooms had names. I think ours was the primrose room. It was at the front of the building. View wasn't that inspiring...overlooking the bus stop! Luckily the road is not too busy so, the traffic didn't disturb us in the morning. Rate included a very substantial cooked breakfast. The downside though was they don't do any other meals. Or at least not at the moment. We ended up having sandwiches and crisps from the Tesco service station. We ate them in the lunge area with a pint of lager. What class! We would have stayed longer in the lounge but it was lacking ambience, with only one other couple and no music. We retired to our room and watched the TV. There was music in the lounge for breakfast, although maybe a bit lively for the morning...rock. We could have done with that the previous night. I did mention it to the manager, who seemed a bit surprised there had been no music. I think the member of staff seemed a bit flustered and perhaps just forgot that music might add a bit of atmosphere in the very quiet pub.The only other negative was that the water in the bathroom was just a bit too hot for comfort. Apparently the heating and water system is still awaiting an upgrade.

We stayed in the twin room for one night and were greeted by friendly staff and had a roast dinner waiting for each of us. The service was friendly and fun, and we were made to feel very welcome.

Stopped for a quick lunch. Coffee was fine but the food ?? Mother had a ham sandwich which had huge chunks of tough chewy ham, totally unsuitable for a sandwich. She couldn't eat it. Plus no mustard as ordered. And no water as requested. I sent my "toasted" sandwich back to be actually toasted and not just warmed flabby white bread and was presented with what's in the attached picture which was soft, mushy, greasy, and like it had been sat on.... really, in this day and age not to be able to produce a decent sandwich ??? And the green stuff on the plate were a few dead absolutely dry leaves. Absolutely dire !

Recently re opened, we visited for a quick lunch recently but it was a bit disappointing. Food was basic lunchy fare but not great - panini was flat, and cheese inside was rubbery 'like it had been hanging around for a while' Two jacket spuds, very dry. Just opened and had filling plonked on; baked beans on one, chilli on the other. Really needed a little butter, even just offered as an option. Chilli was also dry so didn't help, and meat was quite gristly, ugh. They need to get the basics right if the Talbot is going to be a successful pub.

We visited this pub for a late lunch today and received a warm welcome and although a small menu we could not fault the food we received. The fish cakes were delicious and the carrot cake moist. My husband fancied a breakfast (not on the lunch menu) but after checking with the kitchen a beautifully presented tasty breakfast arrived and not all overpriced. This is a pub recently purchased by new owners it was very clean and inviting with the fire alight. Keep up the good work and we will be back.

Came here for lunch with some friends. Having recently been taken over by the company that runs the Cricketers in Shroton we had hoped for much better, although I struggle to understand why they would want another pub so close-by because obviously one of them will always be the poor relation. The menu is uninspiring and disappointing to say the least. I haven't been to the Cricketers for a while but I've heard good things so I'm assuming that this is not the same chef. The bread that came with the ploughmans was still frozen. The ham with the ham egg and chips was a burnt slither of gammon which was sent back for actual ham and the eggs were covered in black pepper which wasn't great. The scrambled egg that was a replacement for fried eggs on one of the childrens portion was very salty but otherwise bland and slightly burnt. The chips that came with the children's portions were very salty although they were very good chips. The service was good. 5 adults and three kids, the bill came to £90 which is very cheap but the most expensive dish on the menu is less than a tenner so you would struggle to spend much. I don't understand what they are trying to achieve here. It seems like they are only serving food at lunch time so I don't know what the hotel guests will make of having to drive to the Cricketers for dinner! I hope they can revive this once brilliant pub but I wonder if these are the right people to do it. I guess we'll find out sooner or later.

Have been before so it was another positive experience for a lunch, warm welcome from Erika and the team.

Popped in this evening. Very well kept Tanglefoot kept the winter chill at bay. Great scratchings too. Overall friendly and well kept local.

Booked a table for my fathers 80th birthday and cannot fault anything. The staff were very helpful and friendly, the food was delicious and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Talbot has a friendly and warm atmosphere and I have no hesitation in recommending this fine establishment. Well done Erika and staff!

We visited here 9th October after reserving a table. We arrived on time to be greeted by unfriendly locals glaring at incomers & hogging the bar, so to order drinks & to say 'hello, we're here' took nearly 10 mins as there was only about 18 inches of available space at the bar for a queue of people like us to wait.

We had a two night stay in the Talbot. Great start as we were upgraded to a larger room on arrival. The staff are all fantastic and the breakfast was excellent. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly and tea and toast was topped up on asking. I would recommend the Talbot for any couple who want a quiet and quality short stay

Stopped here for lunch after visiting a charity dog show round the corner, food was fantastic, I was informed that they had ran out of an ingredient on my meal but was offered an alternative so could keep the same dish, which I declined and changed my mind to the risotto which set my taste buds alive, well done to the chef, I have never tasted such a delicious risotto. All four of my party said the food was great, and got to try the Dorset Blue Vinny ice cream, not to my liking but 2 out of 4 liked it from my group. Lovely décor and good background music. Will def be stopping here again for food.

Set in a leafy, lovely little village half way between Shaftesbury (of Hovis ad fame) and Blandford Forum (of Badgers Best) this is the ideal stop off for a weary traveler or group of travelers. Expect a warm welcome, great good, nice decor and a lovely little sun trap garden at the rear. Erika and her team are lovely and good fun. A lovely time was had by all.

Off chance called in as usual pub full and we want ed food we got a very warm, personal welcome sand table. Dog. Was also made welcome. Beautiful decor. Food was nice. A good pub, not trying to be a gastropub.

A lovely Sunday Lunch, in a beautiful pub, with a fabulous landlady and team of staff. VERY impressed at the children's menu (It is the same as the adults just smaller portions!) Will most certainly be going again.

Had a meal here with extended family (7 in total). Great choice on the menu with a variety of interesting dishes (including vegetarian options). The food was very tasty, well cooked and served with a friendly smile. The wine list is also good value with options to suit all pockets (there's also the good range of local beers if wine's not to your taste).

Nothing to dislike everything to like. from the choice of food to the pleasant staff and landlady. Cosy warm and very welcoming especially with an open log fire burning.

Had supper here recently and really enjoyed it. The staff are friendly and helpful and the food is really good. Went mid-week, still quite a few people in but nothing was too much trouble for staff and the atmosphere was relaxed and warm.

This is the 2nd time I've had a meal here and both times the food has been very good. We both had herb crusted hake which was lovely. My only disappoint was the cheese board this time though excellent choice of cheeses didn't have the Stilton ice cream. Which was delicious and different. I would definitely eat here again.

We have been to the Talbot several times over the years; it is located on the A350 and is only a short drive from the Steam Fair.

They were very busy, but food was fab and timely. Obviously a wewll loved pub locally too...........

The owners quickly accommodated our change in reservation time by half an hour (due to arriving at our B&B; late) despite the fact that it was clearly a very busy Saturday evening. The bar and restaurant were buzzing with a lovely atmosphere of locals and visitors. Great menu - a few old favourites for the traditional pub food lover - fish and chips etc. but also a selection of other interesting specials with a more gastro-pub feel. We both ordered from the specials board. I had the pine nut and tarragon risotto - possibly because it sounded bizarre! It was super delicious and I'm now seeking out the recipe to do it at home. The wine list was really clever - all bottles the same reasonable price - with a selection of about 5-6 of each colour. Even though we were full from the main we managed to squeeze in a dessert! There were a few popular things that were off the menu by the time we came around to ordering, but enough to keep most sweet tooths happy.

Blandford Hash House Harriers ran from here and we ate their excellent grub afterwards. Lovely food and staff

We recently had a meal here. My husband had the Scampi and chips and I had the Chicken Caesar Salad, for dessert I had the best cheesecake I have ever eaten. It was to die for and you need to order this if you visit the pub for food. The pub has new ownership and the landlady seems very nice and friendly, walking around the bar and eating area and speaking to customers. I thought this was a nice touch. It had a nice atmosphere as it was busy had a buzz about it. There was even a celebrity there!!!! The decor is nice and we would definitely recommend this pub as prices were reasonable and plenty to choose from the menu.

We stopped here for lunch whilst in the area.The food was good and the beer,although very expensive (£3.60 for a pint of Badger?yikes!) was also good.Very friendly and helpful service and they allowed dogs in.We would definitely return if we were in the area again.

We are quite local and we stayed the weekend of the 1st march as there was a band playing and heard it was a good "do" at The Talbot. The room was a four poster room which was very nice. The nice touches of the homemade short bread and the beautifully made four poster bed was a great touch. The room was spotless with beautiful fluffy towels and a lovely crisp white bath robe provided. We ate down stairs and the food was good no complaints at all. well done to a very friendly welcoming bunch at The Talbot

After the Follas debacle, the Talbot closed for a while and reopened a couple of weeks ago, as The Talbot, under the eye of Erica, who, so local gossip has it, was flooded out of her own pub.