The Thimble Inn in West Dorset

A big 81st birthday lunch with family from Devon and Dorset … our third visit … lovely setting, buzzy atmosphere , faultless staff and great food… we all love The Thimble and will be back again … wish it was my local…

We attended the December Pie and Quiz Night and had a very enjoyable evening. As always, the food and atmosphere were superb with a range of home made pies to choose from. We all (4 of us) ordered differently and none of us were disappointed. The creamy mash and vegetables added to the dish topped off by rich and meaty gravy. Two of us had room for pudding which were equally delicious and beautifully presented. The following Christmas quiz was contested with good spirit and lots of fun. This pub is a true local gem with both excellent food and ambience, the icing on the cake (pardon the pun) are the owners and there staff who always make us feel so welcome and appreciated.

The Champagne breakfast was fabulous. Quality produce well presented. Friendly and very helpful staff. Christmas has started.

This is one of the best pubs in Dorset. There’s a fine selection of beer/ale/larger on draft. The atmosphere created by the bar man (Jamie) the landlady and staff is spot on. The landlord/chef produces tasty interesting food. As a bonus if you arrive in a camping car and book a table to dine they will let you spend the night in the car park. Thank you The Thimble.

The Thimble Inn is a hidden gem. Just had the most delicious Christmas menu lunch with friends. The food portions were generous, well cooked and beautifully presented. The staff are very good, knowledgeable and nothing is too much trouble. My only suggestion is that staff wear either a t shirt with logo and/ or name badge as it was not easy to know who was staff and who wasn’t.

A neighbour recommended this pub. We turned up without a booking, and despite being busy, they found us a table. Prompt service, great food, really nice ambiance. What more is there to say! What a great pub!

Thank you so much , the food and service was perfect! Having so many gluten free options amazing ( both gluten free) ! The staff were all amazing as was the food( thank you kitchen staff ) ! The only down side was I needed to have an afternoon nap and completely missed the film we were watching ! Thank you so much , we will be back xx

Visited today for lunch. It was absolutely delicious! Starters we chose were red pepper and tomato soup which is classic and tasty. The Brie and beetroot chutney tart with tomato salsa was a taste sensation. Mains were a slow braised lamb shank with creamy mash and green beans. The meat literally fell off the bone. The other one we tried was meatloaf wrapped in bacon with bubble and squeek and a mushroom and pancetta sauce. Amazing! The staff team are all so friendly and attentive, it's a real pleasure to eat there. Can't recommend it enough

After so many recommendations we made it and can say it was very good indeed. Very busy evening but very attentive and friendly staff and the choice of Suet steak and kidney pudding was excellent. So generously filled with plenty of both meats and a delicious gravy. The mash was however somewhat dry.

We went as a family to this really lovely pub. We were welcomed in with real warmth by a great young man from behind the bar and this made our visit very special for me as I am disabled. The menus came very quickly and the food was uniformly delicious. We had an interesting chat with the owner about the very popular quiz nights which they hold and she , like all the staff, could not have been more attentive. We will be back! Catherine from Sydling St. Nicholas

We made a reservation after a walk along Chesil Beach with our dog. It was just a twenty minute drive away. The host was very accommodating. We ate in their little garden as it was a sunny evening, although pets are also very welcome in the bar. We had the pie and veg (it comes with clotted cream mash) and a Caesar salad plus drinks. Food very tasty, proper anchovies in my salad and rich filling in the pie. Generous portions and reasonably-priced. It is worth noting there are lots of options on the menu for gluten-free needs. Vegetarians and vegans also extensive food choices. A great evening :)

A really charming place and well worth going. We were staying nearby at Allen Dorset in Lower Antsy and came here for supper. It's a gorgeous pub serving standard--ish pub food but which is a cut above the usual. Delicious meal, lovely service and wonderful Dorset beer. Have the pie!

Absolutely brilliant experience. First time here and was very impressed. Went with my wife and two dogs and was sat in the bar. My wife has some dietaries and the lady spoke with the chef and was able to accommodate us. We started with sausage roll (a must have) and the poached hens egg which were delicious. I had the burger pink which is hard to come by as no one else minces their own meat in-house so has to cremate it and my wife the fish cakes. Very easy to understand why booking is essential as they are just so good. Lovely staff, lovely food and lovely pub.

We all had a very good meal,very tasty starters and main meals.The staff were very friendly.Will definitely go back again.A b

Simply amazing! We ate here on a Tuesday evening, the pub was heaving and had a great atmosphere. With our labrador in tow, we sat in the bar area and enjoyed fantastic service alongside very reasonably priced amazing food. We rolled out with very full bellys having had a great night. Thanks to all, we'll definitely be back, good pubs like the Thimble Inn are hard to come by.

Visited en route home from holiday, hadn’t booked so hoped for the best! It actually couldn’t have been better! Fantastic selection of local Palmers (brewed in Bridport) on draught so a real ale lover’s delight! The inn has a warm and friendly atmosphere, we were made very welcome and water was supplied for my dog who also had a lovely walk in the grounds. The food was delicious and if we are in the area again we will certainly be visiting.

We were meeting friends we hadnt seen for over 20 years and this place was one of their favourite places and we could see why it was. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The menu was made it hard to decide what to have but i chose fish and chips, when it arrived the portion was very generous. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and had no room for a dessert.The whole place had such a great atmosphere we would definitely recommend if you are in the area, but booking is probably a good idea as this little gem gets busy

Dropped in here as we spotted it on the way past. Was delighted to see such a lovely buidling stacked full of happy customers. We got a VERY warm welcome despite not having a booking and were served drinks and a snack very quickly. Looking forward to a revisit as the menu – and what we could see others others – looked great!

Nice atmosphere. Great food. Lovely service. Would recommend this pub and would certainly go back in the future.

My friend and I had a memorable meal at the Thimble Inn, with amazing food and service. We booked last minute after a wild swim and we’re blown away! Well done to all chefs and staff 🙏 we left very happy. Sue

We rang ahead to be told they were super busy but would give us a bar table for 2 . From the moment we walked in to super greeting and service to superlative food this was an absolute gem . Even the line and soda had fresh lime slices . . My companion said it was the best homemade pie she had had in ages . Fresh perfectly cooked vegetables and the cauliflower cheese was delicious . The sausage and mash had a slice of perfect crackling and was melt in the mouth . We were reluctant to give a review as it is such a find … but 😊

Absolutely top quality staff,food,drink & surroundings excellent Sunday roast place packed,service excellent,staff 5* a truly excellent enjoyable Sunday lunch if only I lived nearer but one thing is for sure when I come down to the Jurassic coast line this is my 1st stop👍😀🍽️🍔🥩🍺

Really gorgeous pub, proper old fashioned type but with great food. Not snooty yet the food is quite special! Glad its not too far away.

Fantastic, Great food good brilliant vegetarian menu. Goog value for money. Great stuff nice pub for dining. Definitely will be coming back with more people to show them all reddy recommended to others and thay have booked. The food and service was spot on some other pubs stood go pay them a visit to see how it is done.

Absolutely brilliant, this gastropub exudes old fashioned values, great service, tasty food and good value for money. The pub is well run giving guests a sense that their patronage is appreciated, booking is recommended.

Let down by large glass of wine costing £11.25. Food was lovely. Friendly staff and location and pub itself is beautiful.

Wonderful food, beautiful location, atmosphere was warm and friendly and service was top. Even though we had 2 dogs we were treated really well, even though we were in a special dog friendly area. We were made to feel really welcome.

Fantastic meal for a family celebration. Staff went above and beyond. Would 100% recommend. Food was beautiful, lovely pub decor, wonderful service. Could not fault.

Great pub and in a lovely setting. Despite having moved nearby a while ago it has taken us until now to visit and we wish we had done so sooner. We were greeted at the door by a member of staff which was a really nice start to the evening. The service throughout was good without being intrusive. I had the home made chicken, ham and leek pie which was in an amazingly light and tasty pastry. The chefs version of keylime pie was also extremely good.

A lovely sunny Saturday lunchtime, Piddlehinton, in the Piddle Valley. The Thimble is a restaurant we visit every so often and had always provided us with good food and service. Yesterday was excellent. My wife actually had something from "off menu" that she'd enjoyed before. (It would be unfair to say what she had). I had a Thimble Steak and Ale Pie, really succulent beef in a rich gravy served with creamy mash and some of the best vegetables I've had. We shared their Key Lime Pie, again, very good. Bonus for my wife, she was able to buy, thanks to the guy who served us, a carton of micro pea shoots from the kitchen. (haven't been able to find them this season) Well worth a drive into the Dorset countryside.

Waited over an hour for food this lunchtime. Quality was decent when it arrived but servuce left alot to be desired. Shame

Me and my partner come here every year for date night on a trip down to Dorset to see family in the area. It’s always lovely, great food and the staff are so welcoming! Delicious food and the pub is very beautiful with a new...

Staying in a cottage nearby and wanted a good spot for lunch The Thimble was just the place! Vegetarian starters and mains for both of us were superb. Staff were friendly and the pub an attractive old building with plenty of outside areas too. Would...

Absolutely flawless! Amazing food and wonderful friendly staff. Could not rate this too high. Will definitely comeback!

Had not been here for lunch before but will come here again. The food was well cooked and presented and above all tasty! The staff were cheerful and courteous. Tables in our corner a little bit close together but did not detract from the overall...

Great recommendation from TA Had Roast Pork and Beef both excellent and separate vegetables and gravy made it. Lovely Dorset Gold Excellent for dogs. Have booked again. Staff really good

I only occasionally write a review but felt in this situation the need to put pen to paper. Firstly the good points. This pub is in a beautiful village setting and is spacious with many dining tables both inside and out, so when visiting gives...

We eat here regularly and have never had a bad meal which is really important nowadays with money being tighter for everyone. You need to make sure where you're spending your money is worth it. The food is delicious with really good quality ingredients and...

Just perfect, a variety of dishes on the menu, including a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. Had lunch in the garden as the sun was shining, but inside looked lovely. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable about the food on the menu and prompt with serving. Our homity...

It's a little out of the way but we'll worth a trip into the Dorset countryside. Friendly staff, nice to eat inside and out and good selection of food to suit all tastes. Would definitely recommend but booking is recommended.

Beautiful property. Staying in Dorchester and had dinner here. One of the best meals I’ve had for a very long time and great value for money . Dog friendly. Would highly recommend

Wasn’t enough seats or tables Or cutlery for table. Then we were told the menu was nearly completely unusable. Oven didn’t work

Country pub exactly how it should be. Service and welcome exceptional. Food perfect. Thankyou. We will definitely come back again

The Thimble is truly a gem , the landlady and bar staff are friendly and welcoming, the food is outstanding, I’ve eaten there countless times and the food is always exceptional, nothing is to much trouble , Michael and his team create outstanding cuisine ,...

We went for a significant birthday, ordering Crab linguine and chicken schnitzel and triple fried chips. We visited last week, both having gammon + blue vinney cheese, which was absolutely fab. Today, the crab linguini was tasteless, leaving us wondering whether it was tinned or...

Craved a ploughman’s and that is what we got. Perfection on a plate. Service spot on and made to feel welcome,nice selection of beers(not that I had any as driving) we live in Dorchester so must not forget the local surrounding village pubs Will we...

We booked dinner and very graciously the pub allows stop-overs in campervans (if you phone in advance). The food was excellent, worth the money and very tasty. Selection of beers was good and I was quite happy to sample what they had! The pub got...

Despite having a blip in the kitchen which resulted in a reduced menu, the food and customer service was perfect and we couldn’t believe how reasonable the bill was. We will back to experience the full menu. Thank you

We booked a table for 9 to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary. Prior to the event I had spoken to the manager about our specific requirements, and on arriving found that they had all been met. The staff were friendly, attentive and provided excellent customer...

On the basis of great reviews (and piccys), we drove a fair distance (~30 mins) for dinner on a Thursday at this chocolate-box pub. We were amazed to find the car park full - no issue we parked in a nearby lay-by - and the...

This was almost an accidental find. Where we were going didn’t respond. Everything about this place is warm and friendly, from booking on the phone to the service. The food was AMAZING. The wine /cocktail menu is great. The bar is buzzing and cosy. There...

We love this pub. Been many many times and the food is superb. Only a short distance from where we live nearby so very convenient. The couple who run this place are excellent hosts. The chef is really talented and the staff are all welcoming...

A wonderful, friendly pub in a stunning location. Good and service very high standard. Would love to return in the future!

We went for Sunday lunch and all I can say is wow! All home made food by the Chef (owner) and his team. Superb quality ingredients and top class dishes on the extensive menu. The Sunday roast was excellent and really generous portions with a...

I took a couple of friends for a Sunday roast to celebrate a friend's birthday. We had the most delicious port, beef and nut roast between us with a truly amazing selection of vegetables. Quite the best meal we have had in a long time....

Six of us met for lunch at The Thimble and we were blown away by the friendly and smiling staff. A full menu with a good selection including rare sirloin of beef and chicken and leek pie. The Cauliflower cheese was excellent and plenty of...

My family of 10 were visiting the area for my mum’s 70th birthday and I wanted to find a relaxed pub for dinner. I chose The Thimble Inn based on the numerous fantastic reviews and am so glad I did. The atmosphere was relaxed and...

Pleasant atmosphere, friendly front of house . Welcoming dog friendly. We just had a drink but food looked reasonable and good selection. Beer garden was lovely too.

Booked a table for 12 as a surprise for my octogenarian mum and it was FANTASTIC. Emma-Jayne and Jilly who served us were so attentive and happy to help.Although it was very busy they made us feel relaxed and looked after. It's in a wonderful...

Sunday roast not up-to its usual standard, potatoes not crispy, cauliflower cheese very disappointing. Never had a pudding before and will never have again. Apple pie and custard tasted like it came out of the microwave, soggy , very disappointed.

Went in twice over the weekend of the 21st/22nd April, found the pub very inviting and the staff very attentive, the landlady even recognised us on the second visit. Food was amazing, very good value and the table service was first class (always topped us...

My favourite pub in Dorset! Always wonderful food, delicious wine and friendly service. I especially love the sea bass dishes. The menu changes every season which is great, and there are always lots of gluten free options available. There is a dedicated GF fryer used...

Great evening meal - interesting menu, beautifully presented, good portions. Friendly staff. We parked our campervan at the bottom of the car park.

We went in for Sunday lunch. Booked earlier that morning so wasn’t expecting them to have any tables free. They had one bar table with high chairs, we didn’t expect the seats to be comfortable and the pub even though it was packed to be...

What a delightful place, warm welcome, staff friendly attentive . Food absolutely wonderful For my wife to have a good vegetarian choice was a delight and her food was delicious ,amazing. Just a wonderful place to eat and enjoy the atmosphere . We will be...

On a trip to Weymouth we rang ahead on our journey and stopped at the Thimble Inn for lunch and wow - the reviews weren’t wrong! The pub itself is so cosy and welcoming with a great atmosphere, the food was absolutely incredible - we...

Met up with friends for lunch. Lovely old thatched Pub just 10 minutes from Dorchester. Very friendly service, good food and buzzy atmosphere. Can recommend the steak pie. £125 = 4 mains + desserts + 4 drinks. Dog friendly. Would recommend.

We booked The Thimble Inn for our 40th Wedding Anniversary lunch on the 9th April for 28 people and it was fantastic! We had eaten here on several occasions and the Sunday lunch is to die for! We hadn't booked for such a large party...

Thought I would post a review for this great little find. It takes a lot to impress me nowadays getting on a bit and being a vegetarian for 30 odd years. We researched the area we were visiting for the day and was impressed by...

An amazing Sunday roast, so many extra vegetables, all perfectly cooked. Tasty meat and wonderful puddings, all for good value for money. The staff are so lovely as well!!!

we had the MOST amazing Sunday dinner. It was simply the best ever. 3 of us had the beef and 1 had pork. every Sunday dinner has a star if the show but this dinner was so good everything was the star. The beef was...

We had a really lovely evening here; friendly staff, quick service and great food. A really friendly atmosphere and we were regularly asked how things were and if we needed anything. The menu was great and was the first pub we have been to that...

Excellent Sunday roast, lovely tender pork and amazing crispy Kale. Service was very good, the place was packed yet the staff were fantastic. Highly recommend a visit.

Great customer service from the start, lovely welcome, friendly staff who were great at explaining the specials and the beers available. Food was amazing, roast pork was cooked to perfection, the vegetables were delicious and the crispy kale was too good! Fantastic experience all tound,...

We first went here on Christmas eve for a family meal last year and had a very tasty meal. Went back on my Hubby's birthday yesterday 12/3/23 and can honestly say we had the best roast, ever. So Tasty and lots of it. It was...

We telephoned in the morning to ask if they serve lunch and told them we were walking from our holiday cottage to hopefully have lunch at The Thimble Inn. Though they were very busy they happily agreed to fit us in and we explained there...

Booked for lunch having googled pubs in the area and so glad we did. Food was excellent and there was a separate vegetarian menu and children’s menu. We were given a warm welcome and friendly efficient service. Would highly recommend.

Fabulous lunch with my wife and son to celebrate my 60th. Food and service was very good. We will call in again when next in the area. Thanks for today.

We were lucky enough to eat here twice during our weekend away. I couldn’t agree more with the other reviews. Staff are lovely! The service was fast and efficient. Our glasses were never empty. Really enjoyed the food. Especially the Sunday roast! The meat was...

A Wednesday lunchtime and it is obviously a very popular venue. 6 miles outside Dorchester and in a small village you wouldn't expect to find a busy pub on a mid-week lunchtime. We received a very warm welcome and were seated immediately, although the staff...

Our favourite Thai restaurant in Dorchester was closed on a Wednesday lunchtime, so I looked through Tripadvisor and top of the list was the Thimble Inn, 6 miles away. I called (1.15pm) and was assured that a table would be waiting for us. We received...

Fantastic Sunday roast. Plenty of perfect, lean beef and wonderfully cooked vegetables, magnificent desserts. Very friendly and helpful service. Great beer. And when the bill came, I instictively said they'd made a mistake. It seemed too low -although it was correct. Not often that happens,...

Oh My Goodness. What a find. A beautiful pub in a beautiful location. We we greeted with a warm welcome on arrival, shown to our table in the lovely restaurant & drinks orders quickly taken. We chose The Thimble specifically for the extensive & innovative...

After half a dozen visits of lunch, dinner and Sunday roast I feel qualified to say that the food is consistently marvellous. The Owners seem to have hand picked and trained their staff to give a wonderful customer experience, friendly and efficient without being pushy....

5 of us went for lunch today. All enjoyed every dish we had. These included starters of mackerel fillet on sourdough, fishcake and soup. Main, crispy duck salad, chicken and leek pies, f burger.te Desserts, creme brulee and date pudding. Also, double espressos, which were...

Outstanding service, a friendly welcome, a roaring fire, very well kept beer , the best pies we have had for years… The Thimble Inn on a bright cold day in January warmed our hearts and put itself at the very top of our favourite pubs...

We came here in the summer and had a drink and snack in the garden which we really enjoyed and vowed to return and have a meal inside. Having enjoyed a busy Christmas we thought it a good time to return for a quiet lunch....

Visited for the Christmas menu and it was an absolute joy from start to finish! Fantastic welcome and service throughout from all of the staff plus our menu choices were first class, which in a packed restaurant isn’t always easy! We’ll done and long may...

Left a message on the off chance of a booking for Sunday lunch and got a call back saying they had a cancellation and a table was available st 2.30. We took it, the place was packed with people celebrating christmas etc. We had a...

Met for Christmas Lunch with 50 colleagues/friends today, tables beautifully arranged, excellent food and service, a great afternoon, thanks Emma-Jane, Michal & all your staff

Dorchester is roughly equidistant from us and the in-laws so I was looking for a place that they would like so we could meet for lunch/Christmas present swap. The Thimble looked like it would fit the bill. It did just that. Fantastic and friendly service,...

We booked ahead (recommended) for Dinner x 4 with Friends for 02/12/22 on a cold misty Dorset Evening. The Thimble Inn was busy, but warm and very welcoming. We were allocated a cosy corner table and a friendly Staff member took our Drinks order and...

Visit was a celebration of two birthdays. We all had the Sunday roast which was wonderful with a really good choice of vegetables.All served by friendly and efficient staff. We loved the atmosphere of the pub very warm and welcoming nothing was to much trouble...

We arranged my fathers 80th birthday dinner party here as we had eaten a couple of times over the summer months and found the food to be lovely. I always worry when there is a large number of people to cater for that the service...

This is how a pub should be. Welcoming, friendly, great beers incredible food excellent service. We are lucky enough to live near this exceptional pub, they never disappoint. The themed nights or just a dinner out with friends is worth every penny.

Really lovely pub, busy Sunday lunchtime so as expected quite noisy as very busy. Food was all really well cooked and tasted great. Only issue was no fish except battered cod on menu but that's just a personal preference when eating out. Staff really efficient...

Booked a table for two Plus our little dog and a campervan stop over in their car park. We arrived early, so gave the dog a runabout in their large floodlit beer garden.(I bet that's lovely in the summer we thought) Then found a space...

Delicious food, knowledgeable staff. Very welcoming. Found us a good table where dog had enough room and not be in the way.

A real gem of a pub. Great traditional decor, with some lovely quirks. Staff were efficient, friendly and great with our dog and kids. The food was the best by far that we’ve had in the area. If you’re looking for a family and kid-friendly...

We have just enjoyed a lovely birthday celebration lunch. The staff were so friendly, great atmosphere and delicious food. We had booked as there was eight of us but glad we did as the pub was packed-always a good sign especially for a Weds. We...