King's Arms

Portesham sits on the coastal road between Weymouth and West Bay, close enough to the Jurassic Coast to feel it and far enough inland to still be proper Dorset countryside. The village has history behind it - a charter of 1024, when King Canute granted Porteshamme land to one of his ministers - and this traditional country pub trades on that same sense of place, describing itself simply as the spot where coast meets country. There is a garden with a stream running through it, and a claim to being the finest in the county.

The kitchen sources as locally as possible from Dorset farms and growers, and everything is cooked to order, served at the table without ceremony. To drink, there are cask ales, craft lagers and a wine list offered by 175ml glass, 250ml glass or bottle. Weekly events run alongside monthly ones. Three en-suite rooms in a converted stable block, AA four star rated, come with smart TVs, Cowshed toiletries and 24 hour access - worth booking if you are walking the coast.