Main image copyright: THE PIG – on the beach
For many of us, one of the highlights of a great break is enjoying some delicious food and drink. After all, if you can’t treat yourself on holiday, when can you?
Dorset is famous for having some of the finest food and drink in the country. From the freshest of fish to some delightful local brews, there’s no shortage of delicacies to discover. This is in part thanks to Dorset’s mild climate and fertile soil, while allows for some fantastic local produce. And with miles of beautiful coastline, the seafood isn’t to be sniffed at either!
While those staying at our much-loved Langton House property will have everything required for self-catering, there’s plenty of reason to get out for a delicious bite or two! From beachside cafes to fine dining, we’ve picked five of our top eateries in the local area to whet your appetite.
The Blue Pool Tea Rooms: 20 minutes via A351
For those wishing to combine the magical Dorset scenery with the delights of a cream tea, then the Blue Pool Tea Rooms are a must. The tea rooms are located on the edge of a beautiful pool, formed from an old quarry, and are surrounded by leafy forest and walking trails – perfect for working up an appetite! The pool itself is famous for the changing colours of the waters. This is because the very fine clay particles suspended in the water diffract light in many different ways, changing the water from green, to turquoise, to blue.
The Tea Rooms were built in 1935 and many of the fittings and fixtures are still the originals. They serve a selection of hot light lunches and delicious coffee, although the hit is surely the Traditional Cream Teas with freshly baked scones. Visitors can sit outside on the terrace and enjoy their meal with a beautiful view of the pool or, if the day is cooler, sit beside the roaring fire in the treehouse.
Square & Compass: 5 minutes via B3069
Full of paintings and cosy, low-ceilinged rooms, the eccentric Square and Compass pub is a welcoming traditional pub in the pretty village of Worth Matravers. Having been looked after by the Newman family for over a century, it’s a staple in the village, with lovely sea views and a a free museum showcasing some local fossils and artefacts. There’s a feeling that not much has changed in this pub for decades – think flagstone floors, wooden benches and chickens roaming the garden!
The pub serves traditional, no-fuss pasties and pies throughout the day, all cooked in their own kitchen. If you’re looking for a real taste of Dorset, then this is it – and they’re the perfect fuel after a day of walking and adventures. There’s also a great collection cask ales and local ciders, as well as a home-pressed traditional cider made by the owner himself. If you need any more convincing, the Square and Compass is one of just ten pubs to appear in every edition of the Good Beer Guide since 1974!
Joe’s Café: 15 minutes via Washpond Ln
Joe’s Café has been called one of the Jurassic Coast’s best kept secrets. Nestled amongst the traditional beach huts on South Beach in Studland, this little café adds a great deal to the family friendly, safe and welcoming atmosphere at this part of the coast. Not to mention the views are unmatched!
Joe’s café is dedicated to delivering quality local, homemade, Fairtrade and organic goods. With a good selection of ice cream, homemade flapjacks and brownies and freshly made sandwiches and salads, their food is the perfect accompaniment to a happy day playing in the sand. They also make some delicious Jamaican patties, pasties and sausage rolls. If you want to miss the traffic and extend your stay at the beach, you can join them for an early evening meal – booking in advance is essential for this.
Coast Restaurant: 10 minutes via A351
With magnificent views across the bay, the Coast Restaurant is great for a special occasion or celebration. Part of the Grand Hotel, it offers exciting, innovative fine dining, often using fresh local produce. Dorset Apple Cake or traditional afternoon cream or High teas are also available, which can be enjoyed in their beautiful gardens during the Summer months.
THE PIG – on the beach: 14 minutes via Washpond Ln
If simple, delicious food tickles your fancy, then you’ll love THE PIG – on the beach. All their meals are created by their own kitchen gardeners, forager and chef. First the food is grown (or found), and then it is put together into a mouth-watering dish full of fresh, clean flavours. This means the menu can change regularly, depending on what can be found in the garden or surrounding areas. The owners of THE PIG – on the beach are dedicated to celebrating Dorset, and so work with 36 local suppliers, most of whom are located within 25 miles of the restaurant.
On pleasant days, you'll find plenty of people enjoying some flat breads on the terrace, cooked in the open air on the wood-fired oven. During cooler days or the winter months, the sea view conservatory restaurant still manages to bring the outside in, letting you appreciate the wonderful sea views and scenery throughout the year.
Langham Wine: 35 minutes via A35
We know we said we had five eateries for you, but what meal is complete without something special to wash it down? As the name suggests, Langham Wine Estate isn’t known for it’s food (although they have recently opened a café on site), but are famous for their terroir-driven sparkling wines, made using only grapes only grown in their own vineyard. Their wines have won a series of awards, including two Gold Medals in the Wine GB Awards.
You can take a tour around Langham Wine Estate throughout the year, many of which include a tasting in their tasting room, converted from a 19th Century milking parlour. To book, visit their website.
Of course, if you’re looking for somewhere to sleep off all that delicious food, Langton House is ideal. With 29 charming apartments and cottages, you can relax in complete comfort. And if you want to work up an appetite for your next meal, the on-site tennis court, bowling green and swimming pool should do just the job.
Learn more about Langton House here. To request a brochure and learn more about how you can enjoy a break here, please just get in touch.
