The White Hart in East Dorset

I recently visited this lovely pub after it was taken over by the new owners, and I must say, it’s an absolute gem! (We now make it a regular visit once or twice a week) From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel so welcome—it's clear they genuinely care about their customers. Not only do they provide excellent service, but they’ve also gone above and beyond to make sure my 1-year-old daughter feels right at home. They prepare healthy snacks for her while we enjoy our meals, which is such a thoughtful touch. The food here is fantastic, with the summer ploughman’s being a real standout. It's fresh, flavorful, and perfectly put together. Whether you’re after a relaxing drink or a hearty meal, this pub offers both in abundance. It’s great to see a local spot where families can feel comfortable, enjoy great food, and leave with a smile. Highly recommend! Good luck David, James and team with you new adventure xx

Newly decorated by the new owners, sweet little Christmas touches. Couple or more leather sofas with scatter cushions, nice high back arm chairs, with a couple of wood burning fires. Unfortunately there were no matches in the premises, there were a total of six patrons including us, when the barmaid asked us all for some matches. Nobody carried any matches to help the barmaid light a fire in this little but very cold pub. Unfortunately the person who ordered ham egg and chips, had to have his lunch without an egg as the cooker needed a match to help the young lady to cook the egg! There was a pleasant surprise in the menu, with about five items for main at £10 and a similar number for pudding at £5 each, a lovely little menu, we only had drinks. Sadly due to the place being so cold, the lack of any lighting for the fires or the cooker, something that an eatery MUST have, we will not be revisiting this place in a hurry, despite it being so close for us.

I have been popping into this Freehouse pub regulary since the new managers took over at the beginning of the summer. The food and beers on offer are fantastic and the staff have always been friendly and efficient. I can highly recomend this pub. In particular the last couple of Fridays have been so much fun, with great music, lots of laughter and getting to know more and more people. Its so refreshing to be back in a Freehouse where the owners and staff can have the flexibility to adapt quickly to their customers needs , great for Ferndown. Its small and cozy but there are plans to expand which will just enhance a great venue. (also dog friendly, fab).

Great service lovely staff and lovely food definitely be back soon

We regularly visit the white hart on Fridays with my wife, young daughter and in-laws. David (the owner) is a great host and cannot do enough to ensure our time at the pub is enjoyable. He is great with our daughter and because mamma keeps her on a strict diet he has even made her food that is not on the menu. We love the food (especially the legendary ploughman’s and seasonal specials) and the atmosphere. We also tried a Sunday roast here recently and it was delicious. It’s a place that we are proud to call our local.

Wow what a gem, great food great beer great staff

No food being sold today. But a friendly atmosphere.

Booked a table to experience the 'Legendary Ploughmans'. However, was told by staff that 'They don't do Ploughman's on a Friday!' I double checked the website as I thought I had overlooked this strange clause. No, definitely says served Tuesday to Sunday. As I was querying this with a staff member at the bar, I was aggressively informed by a man standing to my rear, whom I assume is the owner, ' We don't have any salad!' I mentioned that I had been refused a ploughman's as, according to his colleague 'No ploughmans on Fridays.' Again, but more in my face, he re-iterated his non-sensical twaddle... 'We don't have any salad!' At this point, we paid for our drinks and left, as the other staff member profusely apologised. Is this how a new revamped business treats it's customers? A few sessions at hospitality school wouldn't go amiss! Your ploughman's are certainly legendary....but not for the reasons you claim and especially not on Fridays! Also £6.30 for a pint! ....went straight to The Horns Inn, £5.10 for a pint, great hospitality and available, tasty food. Avoid at all costs! You will now have had the opportunity to read the illiterate response from the owner. Owner... Please proof read before submitting, the grammar is appalling. If you bothered to read my review, you will see that the other staff were clearly apologetic, repeatedly saying 'I'm so sorry.' - probably embarrassed by your reaction. I felt very sorry for them and they certainly were not 'attacked' quite the contrary. I reiterated that it was not their fault. I don't need to see any CCTV, the pub had 4 other patrons, if that is what you call 'packed'. I was clearly told that you don't do Ploughman's on a Friday. It really doesn't matter how many items you advertise, if you are unable to supply them. This could have all been dealt with at the time but you chose to rudely respond and then make a quick exit into the kitchen. I'm not sure that contacting you would have solved anything, I spoke to you at the time and you had no wish then, or now, to attempt to resolve the issue. My husband was not embarrassed, just as stunned as I was by your attitude. For your records... I do like cheese! My name is not Emily. Nothing wrong with your pub, just the service. Lots of 5* reviews given by me as I praise where it's due. Businesses rely on good feedback, I am well aware of that. As you say, let's leave it at that.

WOW what a fantastic hidden gem! As it was our first visit we were unsure what to expect. There was plenty of parking and seating outside on arrival. The friendly bar lady told us it had recently been refurbished and under new management. The decor was beautiful and had 2 log fires burning giving it a warm and welcoming feel. The staff, food and service was excellent. We had heard about the legendary ploughman’s which we wanted to try but unfortunately due to high demand they were waiting on a second delivery so we opted for the pie and stew which were both delicious! The only downside was an extremely rude woman sat on a nearby table who was causing a commotion about the ploughman’s being off the menu. The bar lady was extremely apologetic and was offering alternatives put the woman was not having any of it. She had no thought or consideration for other customer who were sat enjoying their meals. This went on for a good 10 minutes. She then got up and started shouting and waving her phone about at the staff in the bar area and proceeded to storm out with her husband looking extremely embarrassed in tow! We weren’t fortunate enough to try the ploughman’s but have booked to go again next week with friends and family. We also want to try the Sunday roast and were advised to book as they get very busy. Well Done White Hart you have done an incredible job, look forward to visiting you again soon.

Very few places to sit as there's only a few tables. Limited food menu.

It's early days for this recently reopened (Autumn 2024) pub, but it's showing great promise. Comfortable, cosy, well provided bar, and some great food deals, this "new" pub deserves to do well. Very handy for the nearby garden centre, and with parking of its own, I definitely be back here soon.

Lovely original pub , great atmosphere too

The new owners, have made a big difference to this pub. Good atmosphere, nice beers and friendly staff.

Three pints and a pizza to takeaway! Nice pub, pleasant bar staff and good atmosphere. I will return if I’m in the area again :)

Always liked the idea of having the White Hart as our local but the previous tenants were unusual to say the least and put paid to that! My husband and I decided to pop in last night out of curiosity, the new owners have tastefully revamped the place without losing the traditional pub feel and we received a warm welcome . The tapas menu is a great idea, needs a little tweaking but went well with the couple of drinks we had. Definitely worth a visit and the owners deserve to do well.

Visited recently for a few games of pool. Staff were very friendly. The ale selection was good. Thoroughly enjoyed the cheeseboards. Shall be returning more in future.

Had a fantastic evening out with friends. The staff were very welcoming and attentive.The food was yummy and excellent value for money. We finished with drinks outside listening to an amazing live singer! Our new favourite place for a night out in the Ferndown area!

My friends & I had a,fantastic morning, enjoying lovely tea, scones & cakes . Thank you David for making it a very special pre birthday Celebration. Can thoroughly recommend a visit, wonderful staff. Really great atmosphere. And incredibly comfy chairs.

Popped in for a quick drink and to see how the pub looked after its refurbishment. Very nice !!, The one member of staff we spoke to was very friendly and she was enthusiastic about the re opening.Will go back.

Great good pub food and beer selection.

Only visited here twice since moving to ferndown. Love this little gem. Well worth a visit. Sevice was great

What a find. Great Beer, great food and a friendly atmosphere. Carol's pies are simply phenomenal. Honest home cooked food. Not too many bells and whistles but you'll walk out with a huge smile on your face. Thoroughly recommend.

Super authentic restaurant in a historic building and traditional furnishings. The innkeeper is a warm and helpful lady. I only drank coffee. Yummy.

Proper pin, great people, food and atmosphere

Attended meeting buffet provided. Buffet was good and plentiful. Lovely old fashion pub will visit again.

Had lunch today, Mother had homemade Steak and Ale pie, I had the Steak and Kidney pudding, we both thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Service was very good, my shandy was nice and cold and Mother had a lovely cup of tea. We will be back. Thank you.

Its a step back in time, sticky handle to go in, worn and tired decor with a very uninviting "restaurant/cafe" area. Feels a bit grubby. Coke had a very pipe cleaner taste to it and the lager was pretty colourless. Worst tenner ever spent. Guy behind bar was friendly enough though. Ended up at the Pure drop. Lovely and clean.

Paul the landlord was really good company. He was engaging and helpful around a few topics we spoke about. Great ales, lovely atmosphere, friendly locals, food was tiptop. If you're looking for a typical old pub feel, you'll get it here, & I'd support it asap, these are sadly, a dying breed! #saveyourlocalpub ❤️ (thanks Paul)!

A very traditional pub serving traditional straightforward food and prices reflected this.

My second visit . The food was the same good quality and value for money as the last time. Highly recommend.

Great food and service. They have mini puddings which makes everything perfect at the end if a meal.

Nice proper pub no loud music and noise and very good food,will go back without fail.Still as good as ever and great food.

Fabulous food, great service and lovely atmosphere. I can recommend the Steak and Stilton Baguette, cauliflower cheese, loaded fries and, of course, the pie. Thank you for a lovely lunch.

We love this traditional friendly pub. Great ale and brilliant pies!!

Delicious home made food together with a very friendly chef who comes out to ask if you enjoyed your meal. A traditional english pub complete with woodburner

Great Pie and variety of food on the menu. Very friendly family run pub. Traditional English pub with wood fires and dog friendly too. Absolutely visit again in the near future with the family.

Lovely pub. Best pub. Flies like the landlord are very friendly

Lovely traditional pub, great food.

Fantastic. No TV. Just a good old pub with a log burner. The food was home made. And wonderful. The price was spot on. Was so nice to pop in a pub and not get ripped off. We paid £16 for pie and chip's 3 miles away. And it was pants. Paid £10.50 for a home made pie and chips here. And it was lush. We have been past this pub over and over again without popping in. Glad we just did.

Excellent ambience, good food. Landlord is very friendly.

I have to be honest. We were disappointed by the lunch time portion size. More to the point... my mother was disgusted to receive only a third of a piece of fish (the tail end) for her fish and chip meal. It was explained to us that the lunchtime menu is smaller than the main evening meal. I can't fathom that idea. We came out for our meal for the day... I thought the light bites were on the other side (panini's and such). Our young waitress was amazing however and dealt with my mother very well!

** WARNING ** The opening times displayed by google are incorrect.

Great place to eat if you want good pub grub . No fancy food just good old fashioned pub grub .

Good food and beer, all with a friendly welcome!

Cute little pub with lovely home made tasting food. Wanted to find a small little pub as they are always better and glad we chose here!

What a experience real pub real food lady behind bar was perfect so welcoming and chatty i met coral what a lovely lady proper lady proper generation i had pie and desert both amazing had a beer too which was perfect couldn't fault it thank you very much i will be back for that chicken and smoke bacon pie i believe ha ha

Lovely, traditional pub. Home cooked food at really good prices. Will definitely be visiting again.

Its a lovely old pub what can i say its not expensive does good home food and friendly so support your local

Full of character. Sociable locals. Feels like a pub looks like a pub sounds like a pub. It is a pub. Enjoy

Great pub grub in a traditional pub. Lovely cold cider on tap, pie was awesome and highly recommended. Hard to fault as the price was great compared to other local pubs

First experience for me at the White Hart and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a proper old fashioned pub. Good beer and simple good food which is affordable. It's not trying to be posh like lots of other pubs. I will definitely go again. I should add that the chap behind the bar was very friendly also.

Friendly. Lunchtime visit whilst waiting for the next bus. Good menu choices but we only had time for a sandwich which was very well presented and ample. Had to take a doggie bag to finish off later 😁😁

Good food, helpful staff and I came away with a good book from their library. Very few real pubs left, so it's always a pleasure, even with the slightly grumpy landlord.

Beautiful little pub please people support your local pubs they dying out not many left.

A true british pub with good, honest and delicious food in a cozy atmosphere. Will definitely return!

The last of the "real" pubs in the area. Roaring fire, good food and beer and a warm welcome. What's not to like.

What a friendly pub! So glad we popped in, will definitely call again and will have food as looked amazing. Took me back in time! loved the atmosphere and character of the pub and the staff were warm, very welcoming and friendly. Please, please don't change ...

Tried to get into the pub at 9pm on a Saturday night - doors locked with a handful of locals in there. Very disappointing experience 👎👎

Out of the three places to drink in Longham this has the best quality beer. The brewer is Badger. I enjoyed two Tangle Foot, a very good Guinness and a Champion (see photos) Seems to be quite popular with the locals, which is unsurprising due to the quality of the ale. Not a large interior, but there's a nice fireplace and a book selling corner. There is a beer garden, but I didn't use it on this visit.

Awful attitude by the woman behind the bar. We were the onoy customers in there and her attitude stank. Never again.

Great local Pub with freshly prepared food & well kept Beer

We often drop by the White Hart for food and drinks and it's always a really great experience. The food is home cooked to order, the landlord is always friendly and up for a chat and just an overall pleasure to visit.

Nice atmosphere food was good for a road side pub, pints were tasty also was all very good value. Would visit again.

Excellent pub great food great service. A traditional pub with loads of character.

Good tasty traditional food. Carol's pies are delicious! The interior of the pub feels very traditional and a bit scruffy. You could calk it character. But with good beer and great food does it matter?

The food was nice but the landlord is very unhelpful. There are flies everywhere and the place smells like it needs a good clean. I wouldn't visit here again.

Great traditional pub, wonderful home cooked food, really friendly landlord and landlady, the best in local pub requirements, full of local characters.

real homemade quality food, good value and tasty. plus friendly staff

Cozy, friendly and traditional is my take on this pub. I like it. What more is there to say.

Great local pub with friendly patrons and staff. Cracking food that is prepared fresh and has a changing menu.

Just a lovely local pub. Good beer. Warm and friendly staff and customers. A lovely place to while away an hour or two.

Great pub and best meal I've had in ages. Proper food not microwave rubbish. Apple & raspberry crumble accompanied by custard that will take you back to childhood. Amazing will be back asap.

What can I say. Great pub and atmosphere. Ham cooked on site was wonderful. Salted caramel pudding to die for. Top notch. Will be back again. Definitely 5 stars!!

A delightful village pub. Good beer, and comprehensive food selection. Car park at the rear of the pub. Great hospitality, will be back.

23rd August. Guy who answered the phone is that type of bloke who makes you want to be sober.

Went for a private party. Lovely atmosphere, lovely buffet laid laid on. Friendly staff.

Fantastic place to visit. Proper pub, proper food👌. The owner even fixed our car! Which was leaking fuel everywhere, and we'd have been in for a complete and utter camping nightmare. Thanks for the life saving kindness and the food and drink. Definitely coming back next year

Really lovely home cooked food, friendly staff. A proper Dorset pub

Always go there when I visit the Smith family good lovely atmosphere friendly staff real good home cooked food and Carols pies are cracking

Lovely home made food good portions good aptmoshere

Awesome home cooked food excellent beers great price, lovely friendly people highly recommended

Easter egg run to poole hospital with the renegade scooter club

Very good traditional pub these places SHOULD be saved

Basic pub, almost a step back in time, food was simple but tasty.

Stopped to use the toilets and had a latte afterwards, the latte was very good and very cheap. The decor was alright for an old establishment.

Lovely little pub. Great food too!

Always good food and a nice atmosphere.

excellent food good beers and helpful staff highly recommend

would be fine to visit as a pub, but dont eat here. i am not a chef, but could do better myself. pie was nice, but veg had been boiled too long and tasted watery.

Freshly cooked food, brought son here for his birthday and they brought him out a freshly made cake, friendly people and staff, great little pub

Lovely village pub, complete with a traditional boiler fire, next to Haskins, well worth a visit!

We have never been disappointed with the food at the white Hart. Lovely local friendly little pub.

Food straight from the freezer - menu sounds good but oversells what's presented. Probably okay for locals just there for a few jars. Badger beers not too bad.

Friendly pub with a nice 'local' feel to it, food is nice too.

Popped in for lunch but what others were having didn't look too appetising so didn't order. Pub classics order and real ales available.

It's obviously a winner with the locals who book ahead. Really good staff, but I found my £13 burger and chips a bit lacking for that price. There was also a bit of a fly problem in the back dining room which was distracting.

Friendly landlord nice location good food

A friendly pub, home cooked menu, small beer garden, no play area.

OK if you are not too fussy about bad language

A great locals pub with superb home cooked very reasonably priced Traditional English pub food served at lunchtime and evenings. Well kept Real Ale from Hall and Woodhouse.