Half Moon Inn

Thatched, traditional and sat in the village of Melplash on the road between Beaminster and Bridport, this is the sort of Dorset country pub that people drive out for rather than stumble into. The welcome is warm, the food carries an AA Rosette, and the sourcing is local. It works equally well for a family gathering, a quiet dinner for two or something bigger with a date attached.

The bar leans properly local: four from Palmers Brewery just down the road in Bridport, including Copper Ale at 3.7% and Dorset Gold at 4.5%, plus Dorset Orchards Gold and Orchard Haze on cider, Guinness, Moretti and Carlsberg. Fine wines too. Closed Monday and Tuesday; food runs Wednesday to Saturday, 12 to 2.15 and 6 to 8, with Sunday lunch served until 2.30. Book.