It might boast flagstone floors, antique tables and wooden beams, alongside night time candles and open fires, and conspire to look like it's always been here, but this rendition of a 17th-century inn with rooms is actually the latest baby in a growing portfolio from the brilliant trio behind the Beckford Arms.
It's the most civilized of settings, with a rakish but sylish ambience, and a shot in the arm for locals who can’t believe their luck and townies from London or Bristol.
The bar, complete with sofas and a scattering of tables, offers pints of Otter alongside Bloody Maries, Fever Tree G&Ts and nicely mixed cocktails. The short wine list is a thing of beauty and prices encourage indulgence. Food is straighforward, sumptuous and works a treat, exhibiting particular excellence in the treatment of steak, duck or fish of the day. There's a tasty fish platter or charcuterie, as well as pub classics like a juicy burger or fish & chips.
Two gardens – both the French-inspired knot garden and the English wild garden with its hammocks, love seats and Basque Pelota wall – are fab. Plenty of excellent walking right from right outside the front door helps make an outing here a whole day event while the Jurassic Coast is a short excursion away.