The 35 best spots for lobster in Dorset

Great views. Attentive staff. Good food. Fair to expensive on pricing. My 3rd visit over the years. Place and decor is now looking tired. Very sticky tables. Easily resolved with some linen table cloths. Smoke from kitchen irritated my partner's eyes. Unlikely to return.

We held our wedding reception at the Oyster and Fish House on 27/04/24 and we cannot thank everyone in the team enough for helping to make our wedding day so special. The service from the moment we booked was great, Jo and Nic were very responsive to any of our questions and helped to plan and prep our day by meeting with us several times beforehand to ensure everything was planned the way we had imagined. In addition we had a meeting with Mark Hix where he helped to design a bespoke menu. Thank you so much Mark, the menu was incredible! On the wedding morning the staff were incredibly helpful and set the tables and decorations up for us. Everything was laid out perfectly on arrival and all the guests were greeted warmly with champagne and gorgeous canapes. The staff were fantastic and brilliant hosts, chatting with all our guests and ensuring everyone's glasses were topped up as needed. We also want to thank the chefs, the food was exceptional, plentiful and beautifully presented. We could not finish it all despite our best efforts! It really was a day to remember, and our wedding felt unique and special to us. We had 38 guests in total, the size of the restaurant was perfect for providing an intimate setting. The beautiful view of the coast and Cobb is also a bonus. Before our wedding we had eaten at the Oyster and Fish House several times, and on each occasion the food and service were faultless, we will definitely be back. We would like to say thank you again to everyone at the Oyster and Fish House! Hannah and Ben

A fantastic meal. The seafood was extremely fresh and everything was made with great care and attention to detail. It’s the first time we’ve had cockles popcorn and it was delicious - especially with vinegar drizzled on top. The mussels were divine and the prawn burger was very filling and packed with prawn. The scrumpy (fried oyster) was very well made - considering how wet oysters can get, it was impressive that they came out so crispy. The team was attentive and the place has a lovely view. Very glad we found this place during our visit and managed to book a table.

Absolutely lovely evening with a fantastic view over Lyme Regis and the port. The food, although we only went for starter and oysters, was absolutely delicious and fresh as they come. The staff were, attentive, friendly and just amazing. Yes, as a few others have commented it is a pricier than usual restaurant but it’s worth it for a special evening.

The setting and building is absolutely gorgeous, but the servers and food make this spot a must. Freya was accommodating to our large party with 2 toddlers and made us feel like we were eating at a friends home. Her welcoming spirit and overall passion for the menu made for the best experience. I was so satisfied with the miso fruto , hake, monkfish pie and the soda bread is to die for . Will definitely be back!

Great staff, food was great. Reason for only 3 stars is that they gave us not the nicest table in the house as there were a couple of larger tables which made a lot of noise and we sat right next to it. So no option anymore to dine in peace or talk to each other. They should consider this better in the future or let guests know in advance. We managed to get a table outside, but also there was a larger table. Put in middle of 3x tables with couples. Maybe logistically organise this better so all have a good time.

A fantastic seafood restaurant perched on the hillside overlooking the Cob in Lyme Regis. We had a wonderful meal soaking in the relaxed atmosphere, while watching holiday makers enjoying the last of the sun down on the beach. Amazingly fresh crab, so large my dining partner had to help me finish it. I would recommend the popcorn cockles and the two different types of oysters, both delicious, and distinctly different. The service was excellent, and the staff very knowledgeable about the dishes on offer. Our waitress did a wonderful job persuading us to try both types of oysters, a decision we did not regret. We finished the evening with a walk down to the harbour, to find a pub for a drink before heading home. People were still on the beach at 9pm as the weather was so hot. A word of caution if you're not staying in Lyme Regis. There are only a few taxis available in the town, having arrived by bus from our base, we were looking at a long walk home along unlit country lanes. Luckily one the chefs at the Cob arms heard our predicament and as he lived in the village were we were based kindly offered us a lift home when his girlfriend picked him up at the end of his shift. An immense stroke of luck to end a fantastic evening out. Highly recommended and we are planning to try the London branch at some point.

Came for a joint birthday dinner for my mum and husband, the wine was nice and the hive lager really tasty! We got a mix of dishes including some specials, had a slight issue with my dish but they were very receptive and polite and sorted it out right away! Brilliant service and all the dishes were delicious. Atmosphere is really nice by the sea, would be nice if the ‘window’ panels on the tent were less cloudy to be able to see the sea when the tent is down but is a small point. Quaint with simple seating but food and service are the star

Stunning views and delicious fresh food. Service was fast and friendly despite our dithering over what to have. We had the seafood platter and the kitchen were kind enough to swap out the cold Lobster and prawns to the hot version (highly recommended if you like garlic sauce). The food is also great value for money. You get a satisfying portion size. We also had a crab sandwich which came with salad and vegetable crisps which was also fresh and tasty.

Visited this Cafe today after coming a cross it whilst walking Our Dog! Was quite busy but got a table straight away, table was off to the side which suited us as Our Dog Kiwi is a little nervous. Water Bowls are dotted around the Patio just for the Dogs! We ordered a Crab Sandwich with coleslaw and a deep fried Squid in a lime sauce with side salad, both were delicious, so much Crab Meat in the Sandwich and lots of deep fried squid! Definately recommend this Place, can imagine it is busy in High season! Reasonably priced for what We got!

Fantastic location and even better food. Our meals and all the others we saw looked amazing, the staff are brilliant too. Good sized portions and fair pricing.

I really loved my first impromptu visit here 7 years ago. We decided to re-visit for my birthday as a family meal. From what I recall at our original visit, things have changed and expanded a bit since Covid etc and it’s good to see there are takeaway options and an outside terrace option. We spent over £300 on a meal for 2 adults and 2 teenage children which included drinks and desserts. I did feel this was excessive even though we ordered some amazing seafood dishes. If I could improve the experience it would be to have more options on the dinner menu as there weren’t that many and it seemed all were very pricey. I think a lot more attention is needed to address allergies and food intolerances and staff training needs to be more robust here. I have an intolerance to some fruits due to an inflamed bladder lining so I explained to the waitress I can’t do lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange. I also said I am sick if I eat mussels but I’m good with all other seafood and all other fruit. She told me they don’t serve mussels in their dishes. Later, they double checked if the single raspberry placed in my cocktail was ok. It was. However, they didn’t pay any attention or give any warning to the large wedges of lemon served on a seafood platter we’d ordered and I was quite shocked to also find mussels among the platter. I didn’t bother saying anything at the time as I just avoided the areas near the lemon wedges and my husband ate the mussels and I chose other parts of the platter. My intolerances are not that serious and I do it to avoid pain and any sickness. However, some people have serious adversities and I was just surprised this happened. I think I expect somewhere that charges over £300 for dinner to look after me for 100% of the experience. If I had brought this up I think it might have spoiled my birthday dinner out but how would they have backtracked from doing this if I had? Overall, it was a lovely meal and we enjoyed the atmosphere and experience thoroughly.

We had a fantastic breakfast here on the last day of our trip to Dorset. Our Airbnb host had recommended and we weren’t disappointed. It was a blustery cloudy day so we sat inside, we arrived 20 mins before breakfast stopped serving but ourselves and our 2 dogs were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. Not knowing what would be available we ordered our breakfast and it was delicious. My only complaint is the lack of an alternative to butter for my toast. I have a severe allergy to dairy but was told by the waiting staff that they have no alternative. A bit backward in this day and age. Next time I’ll bring my own!

Lovely café with a nice view of the beach. The service was great and very friendly. The food was presented beautifully and tasted superb. The level of food I would expect from a restaurant.

Honestly, 3rd year in a row we have been here and it never disappoints. Once again we were lucky enough to get the table for 2 next to the pass, so we saw everyone else’s dishes as well as our own. Crab and sardine starters were superb, my wife’s stuffed sole was great, my lobster came in a bowl of the most delicious liquid I have ever tasted. It’s great to find a seafood restaurant that just does seafood, and there are always multiple things that temp on a changing menu. You will need to book ahead (we took a guess when we would be sailing in to Portland and adjusted our trip to make sure we could be here). If you love seafood you will love this place. And every single person we interacted with here were professional, enthusiastic and friendly.

My wife and stepsons took me out for my birthday dinner. Fantastic food, great service and absolutely perfect ambience. Lovely rustic chic and brilliant food. The only disappointment was my wife's bellini. Tasted great but presentation was a bit off. Food still gets 5 stars because it was absolutely phenomenal. We came all the way from Southampton just off this meal and we were not let down at all.

Been coming here for over 20 years, since it was Abbotsbury Oysters, love the food, the oysters, the atmosphere and great service too. Friendly atmosphere, I recommend booking to guarantee a table. Plenty of seating areas to chose from and some are also dog friendly. The menu is full of choice which makes decisions difficult!

Never disappoints! Hits the spot every time! Outstanding choice, value, food, location, service and atmosphere. Food is incredible. This is a very very special place. You can feel it as soon as you walk in. There is no other restaurant like it. My absolute favourite in the whole of the UK.

Fantastic varied menu, incredible wine list, beautiful setting and amazing staff. The food was sensational and every member of staff was so friendly, attentive and professional. Highly recommend this lovely place.

This place is amazing, the atmosphere the staff the restaurant deco & the food is fantastic. Recommend to book & go, if walk in then no chance of getting a table. Good quality sea food is served here. All we ate was delicious & really very good. We ate oysters, Lobster & the spicy Japanese Crab

We went for lunch unplanned at the last minute and were totally blown away by how perfect and fresh every single dish was. The staff are all genuinely lovely people as well. A very rare 10 out of 10 dining experience. My wife and both spoke about how delicious the food was all the way home and would highly recommend this restaurant. We had the spicy crab, soul fish, scallops with wild garlic butter and some delicious oysters. Followed by a trio of desserts. Every dish was fantastic! All the other dishes coming from the kitchen looked equally as delicious.

1st time visit. It's a lovely restaurant in a stunning location with a captive customer base but for the price you should not be serving what looked and tasted like previously frozen chips alongside your fish. Wasn't keen on the flat scone which was a bit dry, some little improvements here and there and you will nail it!

The food was good but the service was amazing. If you want something sharp or tangy, do ask for their English mustard. My Asian pallet appreciated it so much 🤭

The cream tea was good with a delicious scone. I believe however that the menu is too expensive for cheap cafe food and one of the waitresses was quite rude.

Really rather pleasant place to visit. Super friendly staff. Small gift shop to visit as well. We had a window table for two, overlooking the sea where we had our breakfasts. Coffee wasn’t so great but the food tasty to be honest!

Very expensive for what you get. I ordered the stacker burger (£15) and received a very basic and dry beef burger. When you call it the stacker burger you expect more than a very basic burger with nothing on it besides some fried onions. The chips were basic frozen soggy variety. Maybe the other options are better, but what I got was well below all standards.

This cafe is next to the lighthouse and worthy of a stop because it is right next to the sea cliff. We tried to get inside but it was full, so we resided ourselves to the benches outside. The service was quick, the coffees ok and the crab sandwich excellent.

Beautiful haddock, chips and peas. The batter was melt-in-the-mouth, and the chips were done perfectly. Vegan and meat dishes (burgers, lasagne, etc) are also available. The waitress was pleasant and knowledgeable. She remembered a full order of food and drinks without needing to write it down, which was a nice touch. In short a stunning eatery in a must-visit location. Would recommend to anyone. Will definately go back soon. BE WARNED!! You must phone up to book, as every table was full, and there was an ever increasing queue of people turning up on an ad-hoc basis. Lunch slots are 12pm or 12:30 only as a rule, and to get a chance of a table by the window, you must choose the 12:00 slot. Bravo! 5 stars all round!!👍😋

Best place to have fish and chips in Weymouth! Waited to go to Bennett’s before posting review to figure out the local debate on which one is better - Marlboro for me!! Top quality fish and chips, had the large cod - delicious and hearty!! Polite and efficient service and has a clean toilet. Going there again!!

You know it has to be good, if the police eat here! Pleasant and friendly service. A bit pricier than some fish and chips places but Large portions and worth the price. Recommend the scampi and chips. You can add gravy or curry sauce.

Really very good foah and chips. Actually incredibly impressed. The fish was moist and flavourful. The batter was thin, crunchy and tasty. Chips are done perfectly. The Hallumi was huge and so stringy and amazing. The pea fritter is odd, its literally just mushy peas covered in breadcrumbs and I definitely wouldn't recommend. Over all this place is a gem and I'd highly recommend.

This is THE fish and chips shop in Weymouth. We highly recommend the curry sauce, as it may be the best we've ever had. The portions are generous and staff are friendly.

Amazing fish and chips. We both ordered the same meal, a large cod and chips, and it was the best we've ever had! Curry sauce was great too. Our drinks were lemonade and lime, really nice. The meal came to £46 with the 2x Large cod and chips, curry sauce and 2x lemonade and lime drinks. We got there just after 7pm on a Friday and the queue for takeaway service was out the door and approx. 20 people waiting, but if you want to sit-in you can just bypass the queue and walk straight in through the single door and ask to be seated. Overall fantastic meal and service was quick, not the cheapest but definitely the best fish and chips we've ever tried. Neither of us managed to eat everything on our plate, there was so much!

Came here before and was so happy to return again! The food was beautiful as always! I was abit disappointed that I couldn't have the chicken and mushroom pie as they ran out but instead I had the chicken chunks which was absolutely beautiful! My partner had the large cod which looked delicious! The service was friendly and fast. Everything you want in a little chippy diner! You can eat in or take away! But be quick as the queue is often out the door and rightfully so!

Huge portions of well cooked food - I had regular cod, kids chips and mushy peas and couldn't finish it. Very reasonably priced too!. Well worth a visit.

We enjoyed our dinner at The Jetty. Service was friendly and attentive, and the dishes we had were tasty, perfectly cooked and nicely presented. That said, while the food was nice, it felt like something was missing - a bit of oomph or a wow factor to really elevate the experience. It’s hard to pinpoint, but we were hoping for a little more, especially after reading so many glowing reviews. The atmosphere was quite loud, which made it harder to fully relax and enjoy the evening. It was a Saturday night, so perhaps the noise level was just down to timing, but it did detract from the overall experience for us. All in all, it was a pleasant meal with good service and plenty of choice, but it didn’t quite live up to the high expectations we had going in.

A party event to celebrate wedding anniversary, food ordered prior to the day, lovely location and service attentive and keen to give a great service . Food was good but looking for great 😀 soufflé Starter really great , steak was good but veg delivered to late - so wasn’t as warm as it should be , sweet was routine so could be better .

We went for lunch on a Tuesday in June. The weather was beautiful and so was our meal. This is a stylish restaurant in a great position with fantastic views looking out over Mudeford bay. We had been before on trips to the area and the food and service has always been great and this time was no exception. The menus (3) have something for everyone and the food is carefully prepared in their semi-open kitchen. Service is friendly, attentive and professional at all times. There is a good selection of wines, both by the glass and the bottle. Pricing is not cheap, but for the quality of food, it's not expensive. If you enjoy really good food (particularly seafood) in super surroundings, then do give this a try. But do book!

For us this is a special occasion place. So Friday night we booked for our wedding anniversary and my birthday it was a beautiful evening with views across Christchurch Harbour, the food and service lived up to its usual high standards.

Food as it should be is how I describe this restaurant. A simply wonderful dining experience and well worth the visit. It’s not the cheapest place around but well worth the price. We will be back. Today I had the cheese soufflé followed by a fillet steak. I know who goes to a fish restaurant and orders a steak. Well tonight I did and have no regrets.

Everything about it is great and it might just be my taste buds as I'm getting older but the food seemed a bit bland and it's very expensive. Id love to know who's bright idea it was to put trees in front of the sea view windows as well but maybe there's a good reason for it apart from spoiling the view. Service was 1st class and they do make you feel special and welcome but I feel too poor to be comfortable eating there really 😔

Absolutely splendid from start to finish. Service was brilliant - shout out to Tani, who made us feel welcome and to the waitress that arranged to have the menu items adapted to our halal sensibilities. The food itself came out like works of art and they were scrumptious - I didn't expect any less. I wanted to have desert but was stuffed after the mains and starters. The skate from the fish platter wasn't to my taste - but this was on me as it is as it is. The delightful visit was finished off with a thoughtful and lovely complimentary happy birthday dessert taster. Definitely would visit again. Highly recommended.

The food was very good and beautifully presented. The location of the restaurant is also excellent, with lovely views of the sea. We arrived around 5pm and asked to sit upstairs, but unfortunately we were told that section wasn’t open due to limited bookings. However, we did notice that there were still some guests seated on the upstairs balcony at that time. We ended up sitting outside downstairs, where you can still enjoy the sea view. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience, though it would have been nicer to sit upstairs.

Delicious food. Quite expensive but that said there are burgers and fish and chips for £20 odd which looking at location and quality of food is worth it. If you want something else a little more special then price goes up and wine costs all add up! But beautiful food lovely location and worth the money!

Really good food, there was a musician on in the front of the restaurant that we couldn't quite hear, but it was good in the background. Food was amazing, the only thing that let it down was the prawn cocktail that was a bit bland. But the Monkfish more than made up for it on flavour!

Great location, lovely looking restaurant. Staff were great. Had monkfish 1st visit which was amazing a bit pricey but your paying for the view aswell i think. Had the dressed crab the next day and which looked great, but i was really disappointed with it. It was dry and bland and quite a small crab, looked like most of the white meat was used elsewhere. This was well overpriced at over £30, I have had loads better off a local fish van for £8. This has put me off going back and will be trying other restaurants around the area.

We came here after a few friends had recommended it. A very good choice indeed. Our party of 5 included or 10 year old, my wife and her parents, so a wee age range. We all thoroughly enjoyed the food, which was absolutely superb. From the lobster, to the crab, to the steak that I had (I'm not a fan of seafood). All of it was cooked to perfection and served well presented. The staff were great, attentive and friendly without being overbearing. It was lovely watching their interactions with some customers who were clearly regular. The restaurant was clean, well laid out and the atmosphere felt right, which is a fairly subjective thing. There was some live music in the bar area, fortunately it wasn't too loud in the restaurant space as sleepless or can be quite distracting having to talk over someone trying to entertain you?

Visited for lunch, food was absolutely gorgeous. Don't be fooled by the standard battered fish and chips on the menu, best I've ever eaten! Monfish main was beautiful, highly recommend. Octopus and prawn starters were delicious and the foccacia with seaweed butter is 100% worth ordering. Beautiful food with fantastic views.

Fantastic food, stunning location, excellent service. Prices a bit on the high side but justified by the overall quality of the venue. Dog-friendly walk-in terrace on the ground floor no, paying carpark adjacent, gorgeous views of the Isle of Wight and Christchurch Bay on a sunny day.

Two years on and still my favourite place to dine, there’s so many reasons I’m always here weekly. Firstly the staff are amazing, friendly, professional & always been greeted with a smile and the food consistently tastes really good. I’ve tried a lot and they’re always adding new stuff to the menu too (the chef & his teams are the best locally). A special thanks to Abby & Kaitlin for taking the time to understand my new allergies today due to medication and double checking ingredients for me. Also a big thank you Pedro & Roberto for having me as a local customer.

This was a very positive experience. Location, drinks and serving staff made you feel like it was the place to be! An old guy troubled us at our table and we had difficulty shifting him, but a young member of staff gently moved him on. He was polite about it, so we reflected his actions in the tip!

Just perfect!!!! Location, staff, food excellent!!! Highly recommended!!! Thank you Lara and your team for making us very welcome even though we came late. We will definitely be coming back.! Thank you so much!!

I can't give it five stars because I did not eat there. Fair selection of drinks and excellent, friendly service. The beachfront location is a wow! We could have sat there all day. Lovely vibe about the place and I should imagine that it transforms into a lovely evening hangout.

Just popped in for a drink and watch the world go by and have a small lunch. We were seated straight away. Had a small pizza style garlic bread and a pint of cider. The outside is dog friendly too.

Can’t go wrong with beach front property , or so I thought. Kitchen staff look professional and produce good , if not spectacular food. But front of house look lost and untrained, “Hi guys” & random student clothing. Maybe that is for the surfer / student vibe; but it doesn’t match the prices. No greeter when you enter, tired looking menus. Overall good, but could do better.

Great restaurant by the front. Lovely breakfast looking out over the sea in the sun. Not to busy as it had been raining earlier. Staff were really good, we felt very welcome.

Beautiful sandy beach. Perfect spot for sunbathing, reading, people watching and walking. I stayed in Sandbanks and was lucky there was a footpath leading straight onto the beach. I walked the promenade to Bournemouth. Roughly an hour and half's leisurely walk. Maybe less, I get distracted, and there's a lot to see along the way. And of course, ice cream opportunities! The only down side was the curious dogs. It's a dog friendly beach so no leash required. Luckily I'm not afraid of them but it was a tad annoying! All in all, one of the best beaches in the UK.

Outstanding, beautiful beach. Fine yellow sand, almost white. Water is clear and on a sunny day you can see to the bottom at the waters edge. There's life guards and there's even a cash machine next to the beach if needed. It's wonderful, a jewel of a beach. A little bit of Miami beach along the coastline of Poole, Dorset without the 10hr flight.

Sandbanks Beach is now my favourite beach in England. The sand is soft, white, and truly beautiful. There’s plenty of space to relax, so it never feels too crowded. The beach is long and much wider than others I’ve visited around the country, which makes it perfect for a peaceful day out. There’s also convenient parking and a lifeguarded area for added safety. I loved taking long walks along the shore, it’s calm, scenic, and just what I needed to unwind.

One of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in England ,definitely worth a visit! The sand is golden, wonderfully soft, and very fine-grained, so it never hurts your feet. The sea is crystal clear, bright blue, and perfectly clean. Especially in August, there are plenty of sunny, bright days. The beach is long and wide, yet it doesn’t get as crowded as other beaches. Both the sand and the water are spotless. There’s a National Trust car park ,lucky for members! At the entrance, there’s a mobile café where you can get drinks and snacks. In short, it’s the perfect summer holiday beach. I highly recommend it, and I’d like to thank everyone who works to keep this place so beautiful.

This is one of my favourite beaches. The sand is really light, there is a ice cream/coffee hut and a food hut, toilets and lifeguards. There are little beach huts to rent also. Bbqs are allowed but it is a well maintained space so there are plenty of bins. There is a gentle shelf here so it doesn't get too deep too quick. Mostly there is a minimal current so safe for kids. Lots of parking but it does fill up. Its flat and easily accessible so no long trek for little ones and those that struggle a bit with mobility. Great for water sports as there is a harbour near by with lots of space for boarding etc. Poole harbour itself is awesome to explore.

Cozy place to go to the beach with or without company. Very good restaurant close by and the sandy beach is just lovely. Lifeguards is just next to you in the beach, makes you feel much safer.

Dog friendly and very clean beach, toilets and parking is right there. Recommend bringing your own food and drink as only one place to eat right on the beach. Great day out with dogs

Pricey but lovely for a treat. I had lovely veg lasagne with v good chips, salad. Of particular note was the treacle tart with a generous amount of clotted cream which was very yummy indeed!

The food was amazing!! The mussels were so delicious, the chips were the best, and the food was extremely tasty!! Would definitely come again.👌🏼👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

It is well placed close to the Cobb and has lots of seating. Quite a good atmosphere during the day. Three of us eat there all having the same, two thought the fish and chips were ok, one was disappointed. Not much of an exaggeration to say that one of the fish portions was more batter than fish. The chips were not the best we have eaten. For the price we expected better but I guess you are paying for the location. However, the staff were really helpful and friendly.

Absolutely amazing! I didn’t expect much from a sea side inn but we were blown away! Especially having eaten somewhere quite posh the day before which didn’t live up to its reviews- we couldn’t believe the skill of the chef! Never tasted anything like it! We had the catch of the day- gurnard which was so beautifully presented and exquisite flavours with leek and bacon fricasse and pea croquette with shoe string fries- wow! The chocolate pudding was delicious too! So lovely to be by the sea with that atmosphere! morris dancing outside, dog welcome and fast service. Couldn’t speak more highly of the place. Will definitely recommend to friends and return some day! Thanks for a lovely evening! Stunning local art on the walls too!

Great service great food had chicken Kiev wife had fish pie best meals of our week in Lyme Regis.

Really delicious lunch. Perfect table, as suited the special request that I made on booking. Lovely atmosphere. The only issue that I found was that after we were seated and were given the Menu’s, we were left for 20minutes without any service at all. During those 20minutes - 2 tables were served their desserts and we saw no-one at the area of the restaurant until 20minutes had passed and I summonsed a waitress to serve us with some drinks and our choice of meal - just incase we had to wait another 20mins before they returned. This was redeemed by the beautiful lunch. But ruined the initial impression of our visit.

Enjoyed the superb food served up by the kitchen today. Amazing quality and taste, Sadly let down by a poor performance by the front of house team. Not a smile between them and almost felt we were an inconvenience. Hopefully the kitchen get to share the tip and maybe brought a glimmer of a smile to the front of house team. The food was hot and delicious - just what we needed.

Amazing seafood and spectacular location. Portions are generous and the service first class. Even waiter service for our doggy. Prices are steep but you get what you pay for and the quality of food and cooking could not be faulted. However, the only comment which I mean constructively is that the wonderful seafood just needs some good plain sides. I felt the rather fussy sides were competing with the main dish and we would have liked a choice of simple sides to go with the fish.

The Shell Bay Restaurant is now one of my favourites in Dorset! We went there for my birthday yesterday and I cannot fault it. The menu is extensive, but in no way overwhelming. We opted for a selection of nibbles, rather than two starters, and I am glad we did, as it gives you the opportunity to sample a wider range. All the food was outrageously tasty and beautifully presented. The service was utterly impeccable - one of our waiters has worked there for 11 years! - and the views/location are definitely some of the best in the UK. Dogs are very welcome, and all the staff made such a fuss of our two little Pugs. Would I go back? The biggest YES ever! This restaurant scores a perfect 10/10 from me in every respect. Simply stunning!

Booked here for a birthday meal for a dear friend. Have wanted to go there for a while and we weren't disappointed. Great to see an open kitchen. The staff were young but very efficient and friendly, and didn't rush. All our starters and main meals arrived to our table on hot plates and the servings were plentiful. The location is amazing, looking towards Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. Would highly recommend, booking advisable.

Celebrating with my partner and what a place to have found! The staff were wonderful and very helpful with recommendations and lovely to just have a chat with Our dinner was fantastic! Would highly recommend the scallops and chicken butter. The sunset was just the picture perfect to add to the whole experience Reasonable priced and sensational Would highly recommend to anyone and cant wait to visit again!

If you’re a well-travelled food lover, this restaurant is unlikely to impress. Aside from the stunning views over Poole Harbour, both the setting and the food felt underwhelming. The atmosphere lacked warmth, character, and flavour. On arrival, there was no welcoming greeting—just a blunt “have you booked?” To make matters worse, the restaurant allows pets inside. Watching dogs drool on tables while being fed by their owners is far from acceptable, and we certainly did not appreciate having to look at a dog’s backside for the duration of our meal. Guests should at least be asked if they’re comfortable sitting near pets, especially given that allergies are common. As someone with a dog allergy, I was shocked to be seated between two dogs with no consideration. If restaurants ask about food allergies, why not pet allergies too? When we raised a concern about the skate wings—which were left unfinished because they didn’t seem properly cooked—the waitress merely replied, “hopefully dessert will be better,” which hardly inspires confidence. At nearly £200 for two, the experience felt disappointing and overpriced. Even the oysters, though nicely presented, were so small they resembled cockles rather than the delicacy you’d expect. Overall, the restaurant feels overrated and overpriced, and I would not recommend it. There are plenty of restaurants in and around Swanage offering far more flavoursome food, better value, and a much more enjoyable dining experience. 👎👎👎👎👎

Wow – Stunning Food with a View This fabulous fish restaurant has stunning view across the water to Brownsea Island. However, be aware that there is no parking at the site, but, there is a 200 metre walk from a National Trust car park that charges £5 for non-members. There is an excellent choice of fresh fish that is cooked on a grill. We had the langoustine and anchovies as starters then both elected to go for the grilled palace as main course. Great, friendly service, the restaurant is pricey, but good value for money. We went there for lunch, but have to have to go back for dinner to catch the sunset over Poole Harbour.

Always a great experience. Fantastic service. Beautiful views and amazing sunsets. Fresh fish cooked to perfection.

Three of us and two dogs spent a wonderful couple of hours in the gardens. It was a beautiful day, sun was shining and the gardens were magnificent. The range of planting was lovely and the hydrangea's were in full glorious bloom, with so many shades of white, pink and blue. We made our way up to the viewing platform and enjoyed half an hour just sitting and taking in the views. I would definitely go again, I could have happily spent another couple of hours, it was so tranquil. My only regret is that we should’ve taken a picnic and enjoy the calm atmosphere for a while longer. Enjoyed an obligatory cake and coffee at the end of the session at the cafe.

We did not know what to expect, but these gardens are amazing. Beautiful planting, impressive and enormous mature trees all set to the backdrop of the waves hitting Chesil Beach. This was so relaxing and the autumn colours glorious. The Dorset Apple Cake with Cornish cream a perfect ending.

Nice place. Lots of mature tropical plants and unusual trees to surround yourself and get lost in or follow the guided pathway and soak up the serenity! Make sure you take the short steep climb up to the viewpoint over Chesil beach and see the coast - it's quite unique! Cafe is good with friendly staff and outdoor/indoor seating but outdoors you are enveloped in the lush greenery!

I had a lovely relaxing time in the garden and walked up to the viewpoint where there were brilliant views. It's steep but worth it. There was a lot to see even in mid September and if it had been drier I would have sat longer to enjoy it all.

We enjoyed are visit, the plants, trees and ferns are beautiful, the views stunning, some of the garden was roped off for a wedding, so didn’t see the rope bridge! We couldn’t enjoy are coffee in the sun, because of the wasps! However It’s worth a visit if you are in the area.

Really great place to visit, the gardens are beautiful and well laid out. There are plenty of other routes you can take to explore a bit more. Maps are well placed throughout and lots of benches to sit and rest. The cafe was well priced and the coffee was amazing! The staff were friendly and the place was clean. Ended up buying some plants on the way out and they were cheap and there were loads to choose from.

This has been a family favourite for many years. There are so many paths and plants to explore it's easy to get lost in time and wonder whatever the season. We arrived at lunchtime and ate sandwiches and cake in the cafe before exploring the gardens. The cafe was busy and well organised but seating was in limited supply and we had to be quick to grab a table as soon as someone left. The presence of a pheasant sandwich was a surprise so I had to try it and it was nicer than a BLT I usually have. Exploring the meandering paths is so peaceful and you never know what you'll find around the next corner, whether it's bright flowers, ornamental trees, bridges or statues. The walk up to the viewpoint on the cliff top is steep, but the views across chesil beach and the surrounding area are amazing and well worth the effort.

Absolutely brilliant day out for all ages. The location is stunning, and on arrival you are greeted by a cafe and play park with a small river running by. There are multiple picnic opportunities around the site if you prefer to bring a picnic. A scenic wander beyond the gift shop brings you alongside the go cart race track (no charge, first come first served) and a willow maze. Amble on further to a large picnic area and wild flower meadow. You'll need to refuel as there is so much more to see yet. Some lovely displays, including a human sized nest, a medicinal herb garden and some artefacts to view. Keep walking and you will discover nesting swans barely an arms length from the path and even more stunning walks. I ran out of time at this point so I will be back. We had a very happy day at the Swannery and came home refreshed and relaxed. A slice of paradise set just outside the idyllic village of Abbotsbury. 🥰

What a fantastic place! The Swannery is located a few minutes walk from the car park but once you’re here it’s a lovely piece of nature. There’s a trail you can follow to see all the places where the swans are and also other birds like ducks. It’s a nice walk and also an interesting one watching the birds and learning more about them. We only stayed for around an hour because I wanted to use the bathrooms and there’s only one at the car park unfortunately. Or else I would have loved to stay a bit longer. If you love animals and specifically birds, you’ll love this place.

You likely will never see so many swans in one place in all your life away from here. We would definitely recommend coming for 12pm or 4pm before the mass feeding. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and we only got hissed at once (but a swan, not the staff!) You can also get value for money with a ‘passport’ ticket for both the Abbotsbury swannery and the Abbotsbury subtropical gardens.

Perfect spot to enjoy tranquility with nature and August is perfect time. All you need to go there and all sets on their own. Nice breakfast coffee shop and welfare facilities. Nice gift shop v cute swan 🦢 gifts as memory. Really enjoy the place and definitely worth it, surrounded swannry have many place to go by walk. Easy to spend whole day. Staff v friendly. Nature is so wonderful 🦢🥰if you notice their response.

A beautiful autumn day , a real place to relax watching nature at its best. The swans were so relaxed, not at all bothered as you walked past them. A real joy. ( if you want to loose yourself , try the swan maze )

After years spent living in Dorset and never getting to Abbotsbury, we finally got there, and it did not disappoint. Seeing so many swans and recently hatched cygnets was lovely. Very much recommend going to one of the daily feeding times, very informative and nice to give a hand feeding the birds. All in all lovely day out!

Absolutely outstanding. This is a must‑visit for anyone who loves swans. Abbotsbury Swannery is the world’s only managed nesting colony of mute swans, with about 600 (!) birds drawn to the ideal conditions of „The Fleet“ lagoon beside Chesil Beach. The team are welcoming, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to the swans’ welfare and habitat. I had the chance to work alongside them for 2 days — feeding the swans, assisting during ringing, and helping with routine chores (such as hand‑gathering washed‑up eelgrass for the cygnets’ feed) — and their professionalism and care were evident throughout. Having come all the way from Germany, the journey was completely worth it, and this unique place is easy to recommend to anyone visiting the area. A memorable, peaceful experience in a beautiful, historic setting. Tip: aim for the daily feeding sessions at 12:00 or 16:00 — you can help feed the swans, which is a special highlight.

Super little restaurant serving lots of local fare. Good value considering pubs are asking the same amount these days. Served with care and food very well presented. I had linguine gambas (which were massive), preceded by a deliciously fresh salmon pate. Good selection of wines by the glass or bottle and an espresso coffee for £2! Deffo coming here again.

Had a really nice meal here on Friday night. Food was very nice. Starters we opted for Prawns which were cooked in a curry based sauce, very smooth and rich. The white hake catch of the day was cooked to perfection. Highly recommend this dish. The staff were also helpful and kind and explained all dishes and desserts in detail

I think the Olive Tree in Bridport is probably the best restaurant I’ve ever dined in. I’ve dined there several times over the last few years and have always enjoyed the food. It’s consistently of a very high quality and always extremely tasty. My most recent visit was the first time I have experienced the lunchtime Spectacular which I found an absolute delight and would highly recommend. There is always a crowd of at least eight of us that dine together and the service has always been first class and very professionally managed so never any dishes arriving late or cool. My daughter is vegan and gluten free and has always been very well catered for. I have tried various options on the menu over the years and have always been very happy with my dining experience. The prices are very reasonable for the standard of cuisine served at the Olive Tree and I would highly recommend it if you fancy a tasty treat extravaganza.

Our recent dinner at the Olive Tree in Bridport was really very good indeed. A pleasant room with attentive service. A tempting menu. Both our starters reached the 'try some of mine' level of taste. The catch of the day was beautifully cooked fresh fish with simply but beautifully cooked local vegetables. The cheese board was so good we took some home to continue the next day. Prices were extremely reasonable.

We had our Wedding Reception at the Olive Tree last night. We had a fabulous time with amazing food and service. Nothing was too much trouble with special attention to detail. Perfect on so many levels. Many thanks to Simon and his team. Philip and Pauline

Easy 5 stars. For the quality of the food and the portion sizes, it is very reasonably priced. I think I had half a trawlers worth of mussels in my pasta. The waitresses were also great.

This is a great place for seafood. The pizzas are nice too - they have a pizza oven. I recommend the catch of the day. It comes with a nice butter sauce and a nice selection of steamed veg, slightly different than usual, which was quite lovely. If you like mussels, the seafood spectacular is the one to go for. I also enjoyed the fish soup. Attentive service and nice atmosphere. It’s nice either for lunch or dinner. I’ve found, if I just walk in, I won’t be guaranteed a table because it’s quite popular. Best to call ahead and book.

I went to just the restaurant and despite all the awards that are shown on the wall it wasn't great. The staff were incredibly friendly, it's just the food that let them down. The red lettuce thing I had with my burger was covered in oil, the pickle had the strangest mint taste to it (but that's probably just personal choice) and the edges of the burger were burnt to a crisp. The veg my partner had was very nice, crunchy and buttery We were told that the menu was changing tomorrow so I appreciate we might of gotten the bits they were trying to get rid of ready for the next day. I am however willing to try out their new menu

Took my mum down to Lyme Regis as it's her favourite local seaside . Stopped at the Cobb for lunch with no great expectations but hey it was very nice , friendly staff we had scampi and chips and Hake and chips both nicely served up at our table food looked good and tasted even better well above seaside pub fare the white wine a Marlborough was also good served at the right temperature in a decent glass, and finally to top it off the coffee was also good. The only reason I gave it 4 stars not 5 is the complete lack of views from inside the pub , I believe you can see out of two of the window on the sea side. Good job worth a visit

I spent a week in lyme Regis for my 50th last week and visited the Cobb, twice for food and my last night for a drink... I cant praise the staff enough, especially lisa. Lisa I thank you very much, helpful,bubbly and a good sense of humour, I'm sad I missed you my last night. As for the food, it was amazing, the mashed potato especially. I will be telling all my family to visit The Cobb if they are ever near, I will come back again on my next holiday Thank you all

The only positive when visiting this pub was the lovely staff. When we arrived there were numerous dirty tables . The table was cleared it wasn’t wiped . Food is obviously frozen. The vegetables were hardly cooked and drenched in strong garlic butter . The fish cakes were not as described. If we were so hungry we would have sent it back. We isn’t our 1st time to this pub but truly disappointed at how run down it has become.

Excellent food. Really tasty. Service was good and staff were friendly and accommodating. Would recommend and will go back when we are next in the area.

Pub on the seafront with excellent selection of beers. Food was great and the staff were lovely. Great place to have a chill and a beer in the sun after the beach. Only thing that would improve it is if they had WiFi, hardly a deal breaker!

Called in for lunch as it was first place near the car park...very pleasant staff and service was prompt.....ham egg and chips was nice as was friend's sausages and mash.....only downpoint was they only have one alcohol free beer and that was bottles only !!!

We are regulars and we always love it here. Great seafront location, fantastic menu, good cocktails, friendly staff. Reliably delicious. Would recommend you book in advance but some walk-ins available, you might need to queue in summer months during holidays.

Great food and a great atmosphere. We had a lovely meal for six tonight and the menu was full of fab options. I had some calamari for starters and a burger for mains. The chips were delicious and the portions very generous - I almost wished they offered half sizes! We were sat in one of the back booths but still had an amazing view of the sea, made better by the sliding windows being left open. We could watch the eclipse from the warmth inside! Definitely recommend as there’s something for everyone on the menu and it has a great vibe inside.

When we walked in we got a seat very fast (5ppl) and it looked very busy. Staff are fabulous. The food looked great and let me tell you it was absolutely delicious. This is the type of place I highly recommend for family friends and social gatherings. Even meetings. This place has inside and outside. Space is between tables is great. NOTE: they don't have WiFi The price is a bit dear... however I have no regrets. I'll happily come again and recommend for anyone! Will post a tik tok review later on

Called in for breakfast, seated straight away outside with gorgeous views! Breakfast superb, menu diverse and staring at croissants for £3 to full breakfasts. Coffee also 👌

If you want to eat very tasty and enjoy the atmosphere around. We recommend visiting this establishment. Excellent service, delicious food and in addition a beautiful view of the La-mansh and mountains.

Fantastic food paired with a wonderful atmosphere. We enjoyed a delightful meal for six, and the menu was packed with tempting options. I started with calamari and followed it with a burger for mains. The chips were excellent, and the portions were generous — I almost wished half sizes were available! We were seated in a back booth but still had a stunning view of the sea, made even better with the sliding windows open. Watching the eclipse from the comfort of the warm interior was a real treat. Highly recommend this spot — the menu has something for everyone, and the vibe inside is really inviting.

Great gluten free fish and chips. Best beer battered GF I have found. Abit pricey at £20 for beer battered however £9 for normal. Great location on the sea front with beautiful views if able to sit outside. GF nachos were nice too, busy location during nice weather as expected.

We sadly had a poor experience here. We were offered a table outside which does have the perk of wonderful views but after being seated it was some time before we were given menus, oddly some time after the people behind us in the queue finally got their table and attended to first. We finally got to order. We could see it was getting busy inside but after no one had checked in with us for over half an hour I finally got our servers attention and asked if the food was going to be much longer. That's when we learnt there had been a problem which they were sorting and we were offered a free drink. But nearly 20 minutes later I was again trying to get someone's attention as my partner had noticed parties who had sat down some time later inside had not only got their food but were finishing. Our food then came out. Again we were left unchecked so I went in to pay and asked why there had been a delay - that's when I was told their handset (on which they place the order) hadn't 'sent' our and the next table orders to the kitchen which is probably why they left before we had even got our dishes. Such a shame we weren't check in on or kept an eye on and simply updated us when the problem was identified. Food and drink wise, the sausages and lentil were lovely. The fish under seasoned and overcooked. The Kombucha, tarty but too lively. A lot of the bottle overflowed and again back to service, I asked for a cloth but none came or any effort made to wipe.

We had an absolutely fantastic time at their foraged mushroom feast. There were 7 courses total and the forager Nick and head chef would speak to us about the Mushrooms and the cooking. It was very interesting, food was delicious. We really enjoyed the social aspect of banquet dining as well, it was nice to speak to new people you were sat with. Enjoyed looking around the grounds and the lift in the jeep back up the hill was appreciated!

Loved this place, views are stunning and was the perfect day for breakfast. Viewpoint area is great to take pics. Good food and service with a smile.

A real ray of sunshine orange otherwise dreary wet day in East Devon. This is the genuine result of the HFW dream of local, fresh & sustainable food. Cooked & served excellently by the friendly team who must surely have some of the best jobs in hospitality. Silky beetroot hummus with this morning's sourdough, wonderful Courgettes, beautiful pork loin & confit belly finishing with a stunning blackcurrant leaf panacotta, rhubarb & berry compote. The café looked busy but we were booked on the exclusive Long Table Lunch event - exactly as it describes. Met 28 other interesting people chatting over the relaxed 3-hour lunch. Kitchen was open and conversation with staff encouraged. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

We visited the cafe today and it was absolutely perfect. Food was amazing and the staff were excellent. We also wandered down to the kitchen garden and it was incredible to know that what we had just eaten came from there. I really couldn’t be anymore impressed. Just the right balance of being a cared for working kitchen garden, making provision for wildlife and not being manicured for the sake of aesthetics. The highlight was meeting your beautiful ginger cat. It was an absolute treat to visit today and I can’t wait to come back soon. Thank you to all. One very happy customer! The chickens also looked very well cared for. So lovely to see.

Kedgeree with pearl barley isn't a kedgeree! The texture is wrong as you cannot chew the rather too wet and slippery grains, in their version of this famous dish. There isn't enough smoked haddock in it but there is unwelcoming chewy green cabbage/Nero in it. The poached egg, instead of boiled, is perfectly cooked though. A meager amount doesn't justify the price. All in all, very disappointing. I wish they serve a full English breakfast!

We stayed in the Gardener’s Cottage and ate at the Chef’s Table experience. It is an excellent opportunity to taste new dishes prepared to a very high standard by experts. The ingredients are locally sourced and so fresh that we saw the picking some of them on the day. At seven courses it is filling so don’t fill up on the sourdough bread. Some of the paired drinks had ‘unique’ flavours and I wouldn’t buy it if I was choosing for myself. Well worth the cost.

We enjoyed a superb evening at Sea Beats. The fish was exceptionally fresh and well-prepared, complemented by attentive and friendly service. The wine list offered excellent choices at very fair prices. Overall, an outstanding dining experience — we look forward to returning.

Ate here for my birthday on Wednesday (13th), and the food was fantastic!. Everything from starters to deserts was amazing. I had the lobster for main and being a seafood lover can happily say it was the best lobster I’ve EVER had, done to perfection. Staff were lovely and the setting was great………absolutely can’t wait to go back!!! 😊

What a great find! We have been visiting Weymouth for years and never noticed the restaurant before . It's a small, cozy venue with about 8 tables inside and 6 or so under cover outside. Booked the day before via the website booking form. Adam (I believe owner and chef) was very quick to respond confirming the booking (5.30pm) We arrived a few minutes early but were immediately welcomed and seated by Henry. Menu is fish based but with options for those that don't want fish. Good selection of wines and beers. We had the mackerel pate starter followed by sea bass fillet with samphire and potatoes and whole sea bream with roasted veg and potatoes. They were happy to swap the veg/potatoes options. All the food was cooked prepared and delivered perfectly. I believe Rich was cooking and Ava was assisting Henry in front of house. Thank you to you all! Well worth the visit, great food, great value and great service. Thank you! Sample menu is on the website.

Fantastic food, great service & nice outdoor seating. Menu adaptations were dealt with easily & our server was very patient with our young child. Shame we’re on holiday in the area otherwise this would be a firm favourite to revisit.

Attended sea beats tonight, booked by my fiance for my birthday! WOW!!! we eat out a few times a month at all different restaurants but this one is THE BEST!! We had scallops for starters, which were cooked to perfection 👌 and sea bass for main!!! This has to be the best meal me and my fiance have had in a very VERY long time!! Food was beautifully cooked by rich (brilliant chef) and top marks to Harry, the server that couldn't accommodate us more if he tried. Brilliant team guys!! Shows in what you deliver 🙂

Absolutely loved the food, the staff are great, so glad we got a table.

We came for lunch, lovely setting, clean, great atmosphere, nice to be on the seafront, authentic seafood restaurant- dishes cooked to perfection, delicious huge fresh oysters, and the chowder was fantastic, gorgeous bottle of wine too. Waiter Harry was brilliant, friendly and attentive, highly recommend, we will definitely be back

Swanage has the most beautiful and elegant pier. Views from it are breathtaking in all directions, especially when standing on the top tier. It is one of the few piers which are licenced as a wedding venue so it is possible to get married in this amazing place, We did!

Swanage pier is a fantastic place to stroll whilst eating your ice-cream, catch a boat trip somewhere and while away the hours. It is extremely well maintained by volunteers and if you are a diver, it is the place to be. Dive trips out with one of the local dive centres or a bible under the pier, either way you can have a great time in or under the sea. Swanage itself is a beautiful little town, lovely shops, lots of places to eat and some lovely walks. Highly recommend a trip here for families, couples, friends and adventure seekers

A stunning Victorian pier with a museum,gift shop, and cafe. It was run by lovely and very knowledgeable volunteers who were very helpful and friendly. The pier costs £2 per adult to access, but I think it's a small price to pay for the beauty and nostalgia of the whole experience. You have the opportunity to go on a boat trip or hire a boat, which we decided on the latter and loved it. Prices were quite reasonable too and well worth it.

Very beautiful place to visit, clean streets, friendly locals. Went there to scuba dive under pier!! I definitely will be going back for more fresh fish and chips😋.

Good cafe restaurant and lively pier on several levels. Charge unless you visit cafe

Decent pier but £2.20 per person to walk along a pier just feels silly. Not worth it at all.

Fantastic place. Love everything about it. Will be back.

We had the sharing board roast dinner. I am not exaggerating when i say the food was exceptional. It was all cooked to perfection. Dessert was delicious also. The service was top notch. This pub is close to making me want to move here! Would definitely recommend.

The food was delicious: so good. So, can get quite busy. So, table booking highly suggested. Highly recommend the shoulder of lamb, although we also had the fish and chips and burger and was great

We ate at the restaurant last night and had yet another remarkable experience. We are lucky enough to have eaten in some of the countries best restaurants. The food that they serve here is equal too and often exceeds the best restaurants in the country. It was certainly the very best food we have eaten this year. The skills and precision of the dishes are world class. I started with the mussels in a curry sauce on a bed of leeks. OMG it was a match made in heaven. The velvety smooth curry was a perfect match for the sweet plump mussels. I thought it could not get any better then I tasted my husbands burrata topped with red chichory, walnuts and pine nuts. This was absolutely exquisite. Our main courses were to continue the joy of this place ….. fillet steak cooked perfectly in a rich jus, and pork belly on a bed of mashed celeriac. Beyond perfection. Service is always warm, sincere and generous. We cannot recommend the White Horse highly enough. Thank you team.

Fantastic food here! Sunday roast sharing platters are amazing and now they do a similar thing midweek. Midweek a la Carte menu is fabulous too, really good quality food. Pub itself is also lovely and the staff are great too.

From the warm and genuine greeting when we walked through the door to the stunning food, The Whitehorse is a gem of a pub. The staff were incredibly welcoming and provided my husband and I with exceptional service. The food was nothing short of outstanding. My husband’s scotch egg was cooked to perfection and my butternut squash was full of flavour. The fish and chips were joyous, who can fault a triple cooked chip? My risotto was full of fresh seasonal veg and tasted amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and would highly recommend to anyone passing.

You have to come and try it ! We had the best meal here and dare we say the best we ever had! We had the sharing boards which were delicious, each part of the dish was incredible, great portions, quality food and great service as well. Super dog friendly.

As I said to them after eating it, this place could be burning down and I'd still sit and finish my plate. We went for the sharing platter and it was a solid 10/10. Beef perfectly cooked, chicken was juicy and the pork was so tender you could spread it with a fork. I'm proper stuck up about roast potatoes and mash and these were both perfect too. Hispi cabbage and carrots were amazing and apparently the gravy is cooked for 4 days which explains why that's so good as well. Next time we're down in Somerset it won't be a question of where to book.

Beautiful nature trails. We had dogs with us so only did the dog friendly trails and didn't see much wildlife. There are other trails that are not dog friendly which you may see more wildlife on. They have a nice cafe and a board to tell you what wildlife has been spotted in the last few days.

Lovely RSBP with great easy walks to follow. Good trails with beautiful views over Poole harbour. We spotted deer and lots of different birds. Good parking and super friendly, helpful staff. For members admission and parking is free, otherwise it's £5 entrance and £5 parking. Lovely cafe, shop and toilets.

I highly recommend RSPB Arne. We did the guided lagoon walk at the weekend and enjoyed that so much. A Dartford Warbler, Egrets, Curlews and so much more. A gorgeous nature reserve, so wild and so well managed. The staff and volunteers really care and are very knowledgeable. We'll be back with our dog to do the dog-friendly trails.

Really lovely walk around Arne. 1st visit, will come back. Really useful advise from lady on arrival about which trail to take. Cafe and toilets lovely too.. Only difficulty was parking, tight spaces and not much availability to turn around to get out again.

RSPB Arne is an absolutely beautiful area of Dorset county .. stunning views, plenty of birds and wildlife - gorgeous areas to just sit and ponder and perhaps have a picnic! There is a cafe just as you enter, selling coffee, ice-cream, cakes and more .. Highly recommend a visit!

Amazing place with numerous walks available. Very peaceful with well maintained pathways. A cars on track to the house was driving too quickly for the location, others were respectful.

Nice quiet walks, stunning scenery seen plenty of birds, a pig and a stag. Well worth the money, will be back.

Very disappointed I paid £18 for a small cod large chips curry sauce and chicken nuggets. The chips where small and don’t even taste great either , I don’t normally do reviews but feel it’s best to let people know I really can’t believe that is a large portion of chips !

Great cafe/bar with friendly staff and good cakes.

We stopped for coffee and cake today and it was very nice. The owners/staff were very friendly and the cake was the nicest and possibly cheapest we've come across during our holiday. It's definitely worth a visit.

Nice beachfront cafe, food was good, service was good. Great location on the front. Sells alcohol so you can enjoy a drink looking out to sea.

So sorry to say, the restaurant staff had very little customer care skills, we appreciate it was a busy Thursday, but very little if no connection was given to us, After waiting for approximately 15 minutes to be served no member of staff even acknowledged us. We left the restaurant disappointed. So sad! As locals we have had meals here in the past and enjoyed them.

The food was good, but not great. The service was not quite up to date, sometimes didn't even notice us, even when we called them they told us to wait. Ate my meal with nothing to drink. The Ambiente was not bad, but then it never is so close to the beach. Not cheap, but then not expensive either. A few more service interested co-workers would do the place good. Take-Away shop is good though.

Me and my girlfriend went there last night. Paid £22.60 for large cod with large chips and sausage and chips. I'm writing this from my bed, profousley throwing up from salmonella poisoning. Hers was fine, but mine has really knocked me for six. I usually i don't leave reviews. But this could kill someone next time, so I feel it needs to be said and possibly resolved. 👍

Had a excellent evening at Catch. The whole team put on an amazing service. Menu was carefully thought through and it really showed in the presentation and execution of the dishes. Our favourite of the night was the lobster with sundried tomatoes. The water sauce was delicate yet packed full of flavour. Crab butter was also delicious. We thought it was the perfect amount of food for the dinner set course. Would definitely come back.

How this has not got a Michelin star yet is beyond me. This means it is incredible value for money at the moment. The fish could not be fresher and the dishes were fantastic. Highlight was the cuttlefish but even the beetroot relish accompanying the extra cheese course was amazing. Special mention to the wine pairing as well; the quality of the 2 wines, English Sparkling Rose, Tokaij and English apple brandy were great value for money and will be looking to buy some for myself. Go as much as you can.

First time visiting the catch last night and the food, wine, service and ambience was outstanding. Me and my partner both said it was up there with one of the best meals we have ever had. We will definitely be back next time we are in Weymouth

Cannot fault the experience. We celebrated our engagement here, and the staff interactions made the entire night. Well, I lie. The food did! Especially the delicious puddings. We were both made to feel so welcome, and comfortable by everyone we interacted with. The simple and elegant congratulations card was such a nice touch too. We intend to put it in a small frame in the house. Thank you very much. We will be back.

Sone of the best seafood we have ever had - located above a fish mongers on the quay at Weymouth so right by the harbour for landing fish. Local ingredients ised, excellent wine pairings, can't wait to go back.

A delicious meal in a relaxed restaurant with helpful and friendly service. We booked for a tasting menu lunch, but it was more of a 3 course meal. There were extra courses available but they cost extra. I doubt I'd have fitted in any more as the main dish was a good size. I'd definitely go back again. Its not cheap but it's excellent quality food.

Absolutely Brilliant. Such a wonderful evening. A treasure trove of interesting dishes featuring fresh local fish, seafood and produce with some lovely local wines also included in their very good wine list. The staff are charming, helpful and knowledgeable. One of the best meals my wife and I have ever had. It's not cheap but worth every penny.

This place was honestly stunning. We were sat on the only big table in the place, so already felt special, but the service was sublime - extremely attentive, but at the same time relaxed and fun. As the food came out, we were talked through the dishes and different ingredients (as a lot of them were foraged by the staff), so unlike any restaurant I've ever been to, you got to interact directly with the chefs, which was great, especially as they were all so nice. The food itself was utterly delicious and had loads of new and unusual (in a good way) flavours. Nothing was not an absolute delight to eat. We were also there for hours, but at no point made to feel rushed. We will definitely come back here. Amazing restaurant.

We dined at Robyn Wylde in December 2021 (just got round to writing the review!) and had the most wonderfully amazing meal. The tasting menu is exceptional, using locally sourced produce and all cooked to perfection. We went for the wine pairing too, which was also great. Fantastic service from all the team, all very knowledgeable regarding the food and wines being served. Harriet interacted with every diner at the end of the meal, which is lovely to see. Thank you all for one of the most memorable meal experiences I have had! I look forward to returning.

Incredible food, outstanding service and an amazing 4 hour dining experience unlike any other! Delicious flavours and textures cleverly created to deliver an exquisite and unique tasting menu. Thank you to Harriet and her team for an exceptional evening.

Such an amazing experience, such a gem! Good honest food. Very delicious and touching all your senses! Definitely recommend. Not cheap but for sure worth while! We have taken the wine pairing once, but in all honesty could not keep up with it (too much), so will not do it again, but was very nice in combination with the dishes.

Seasonally, locally sourced ingredients that have been expertly cooked and presented. We had a fantastic meal at Robin Wylde and enjoyed the novelty they bring to cuisine and the area. Be sure to ask about their homemade kombuchas and where they source their ingredients (all local to to area). Expert Tip: request one of the tables against the wall, as there’s no switching once you’ve been assigned a place.

Sublime tasting menu celebrating the agricultural gifts of the region. Perfect rhythm and evolution of flavours. Wine pairing was just right and surprisingly pleasant given the dominance of local English wines. The beetroot soup was particularly sublime, as was the starting sourdough bread with mussel butter. My favourite was the kale and crab salad. Would love to revisit

Absolutely fantastic restaurant - not one to miss if you are visiting, one of my favourite meals ever

Good breakfast... great service.. phoned in the order and was ready when we arrived .. can also sit out on a sunny day .. also very reasonably priced

Best English breakfast ever!!! Absolutely recommended 👌

I am currently visiting my sister and was looking for somewhere to have some lunch. I am very pleased the Bay Leaf cafe was just around the corner. Wonderful coffee and food at a really reasonable price and friendly staff. If I was local, I would be a very regular customer! Thank you

We come in every weekend for a proper cook up! Everything was hot, tasty, and just what you want from a good breakfast. The staff are lovely too, really friendly and welcoming. Great little spot if you’re in Poole and fancy a solid breakfast 😊🍳🥓☕

Absolutely love coming here! Whenever my partner and I feel like going out for lunch, we always opt for Bay Leaf Cafe! This is such a gem on a busy main road. The people are lovely, and the food never fails to disappoint! My partner is a particular fan of the belly buster and eggs benedict, whereas I prefer the paninis and omelette (which is huge and better than others that I've tried at different establishments!) The coffee is amazing, and the milkshakes are impressive! We continue to come here and continue to love it ♥️

Wonderful & fast service, quality food, clean & homely & very reasonably priced for the portions! Will definitely be back.

Cannot recommend highly enough. Everything you want from a proper caf. Breakfast is excellent and cooked properly (no snotty eggs). Staff are the best in the area. Can't do enough and genuinely friendly.

Absolutely fantastic experience at Gee Whites in Swanage! From the moment we arrived, the service was top-notch; friendly, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. We started with some refreshing drinks: a perfectly poured pint of Corona for me, a crisp half Corona with blackcurrant and a lovely pineapple juice for my wife. All were exactly what we needed. For food, I thoroughly enjoyed the classic fish, chips, and peas. The fish was incredibly fresh and flaky, the chips were golden and crispy, and the peas were just right. My wife was equally delighted with her loaded fries, piled high with delicious cheese, chicken and bacon, a real treat! The food was tasty and the drinks were spot on. Gee Whites truly delivered a wonderful dining experience!

We had such a wonderful experience this evening! My family and I were really impressed with the service. We asked for a half-and-half pizza (to keep our fussy little ones happy!), and the staff and chef were more than happy to accommodate. When the weather turned, a member of staff kindly suggested moving us to a covered area. Several team members helped move all our things, and they even set us up next to a heater, which made it so warm and cozy. The food was absolutely delicious, and it was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday 🙂 We always enjoy eating and drinking here whenever we visit Swanage, and we’ll definitely keep coming back!

Two years ago this place was a 5, we still love it but feel like it's not as good as it use to be. A lot less choice on the menu and prices very high on food and drink. Majority of the staff are great, really friendly and chatty but the odd one really let's the place down. I was served by a very miserable young lady at one point. Such a perfect location next to the pier looking out at the sea and a lovely atmosphere to sit and eat.

Callum and the team are very welcoming and friendly. The seafood is very good - I had the prawn skewers which were delicious. Great atmosphere with attentive staff, worth a visit!

Probably about 10 years since my last visit to Swanage so a bit disappointed that Gee Whites no longer has that Mediterranean beach café look. Nevertheless the food is still good and the location outstanding. Also great to have tuna on the menu.

Great food and plenty of it. Hot. Fresh. Tasty. A bit pricey, but worth it.

Tyler! What a charming and helpful member of staff. A complete keeper. The pizza was good, beautiful spot, and nice environment. Look after your staff guys. Jane & Paul ❤️❤️

From the outside, the hotel could really use a lick of paint. It didn’t look much like the pictures online, which was disappointing at first. However, once you step inside, things improve. The lobby has a modern-meets-vintage style with greys, crystals, glass, and silver accents. Quite a nice entryway overall. The dining area brings in rich reds, giving off a vintage old-century vibe. The pool itself was underwhelming, and the poolside area felt tired the chairs in particular looked dated and not very inviting. Staff were generally accommodating and somewhat helpful, though not consistently outstanding. Parking is £12 a day, and spaces aren’t always guaranteed. We were lucky to find a spot, but this could be a challenge in busier times. Despite the rough exterior and some dated touches, the room and certain modern amenities (especially the AC and bathroom) really stood out. Breakfast was decent but slightly overpriced, and parking can be tricky, but overall, I left feeling happy with my stay. The location is convenient once you figure out the best way to the beach.

I feel that there are several very unfair and untrue reviews of this hotel. We stayed for a long weekend as a family with 2 teenagers and had a brilliant hotel. Lisa on reception was so kind and welcoming. The breakfast buffet was excellent value and delicious plus the swimming pool a great bonus to lounge around for the day enjoying a cocktail or two. The food served in the bar again was excellent value and just what everyone wanted - something to suit each taste. Great service, comfortable rooms with clean and modern bathrooms plus air conditioning. I highly recommend it for the value and service it offers with excellent facilities. It’s a genuine art deco hotel as well which adds to its charm in a stunning location. - what’s not to enjoy? We will return & thank you Cumberland 🙏

This hotel has character and maintains good cleanliness standards, though it would benefit from some modernization. The property has a quaint, older charm but shows its age in several areas that affected my stay. Room Conditions: While clean, the furniture shows considerable wear and could use updating. The mattress was unfortunately too soft, creating an uncomfortable dip in the center that made for a restless night's sleep. For future guests, you may want to request a room with a firmer mattress if available. Practical Concerns: The bathroom lighting setup is problematic - the two spotlights are positioned behind where you stand at the mirror, casting your face in shadow. This makes grooming tasks like shaving or applying makeup quite difficult. Additionally, the in-room kettle was non-functional, requiring a trip to reception for a replacement before I could make morning coffee. The shower pressure was also disappointingly weak. Overall Assessment: While the hotel is adequate for basic accommodation needs, these practical issues detracted from what could otherwise be a pleasant stay. The property has potential but would greatly benefit from addressing these maintenance and design concerns. The cleanliness and character are positives, but guests should be prepared for some inconveniences.

Beautiful hotel with stunning views of the sea. We enjoyed our stay. The breakfast was delicious and plentiful. Good options for vegetarians too we enjoyed the tofu and pepper stirfry for breakfast. The service was top class, walking distance to the beach. The only thing which we didn’t like is that the room did not have a mini fridge and also a safe which would have been nice to have considering the fact that it’s a 4 star hotel. The indoor pool was cold. Warm would have been nicer.. Otherwise we were very happy with our stay and will be hopefully visiting again in the future.

From the website photos I thought this hotel look great for a special occasion, however the reality was not. The outside exterior and pool area are in need of a refresh and deep clean. Broken wire fences, decking area needed painting. Downstairs area of hotel decorated art deco, but rooms very much a mix of colour and styles. Bedroom corridors smelt funny and again were a mix of colours and styles, they were also tatty in some places. I personally will not be using this hotel again. Five star prices, but three star facilities.

The pictures are catfish to put it bluntly. The reception looks lovely and well kept and then you go up the stairs to get to your room and the carpet and walls change drastically. The carpet was all ripped and covered with tapped down tea towel. The room had serious water damage the paint was crumbling and the metal plug socket was rusty. There was a mysterious stain on the throw pillow. We had no choice but to stay the night and just enjoy our day as much as we could. When we complained in the morning they offered us a free drink. I wanted my money back but they said they can’t. We left early to go home instead. We had a night left there.

This is the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at, and I’ve stayed at a lot of “4*” hotels. I asked to have my 2 rooms adjoining about 14 days before we were due, but we got different floors. The sea view double with balcony was not clean to the standard I expected from 4 star and the balcony was rank. The bed was not in line with the base, the duvet cover was way bigger than the duvet and the bed protector was stained. I was charged for 2 cocktails, but they had an offer on which was buy 1, get 1 free. I was told this by another person, not the hotel. My grandkids had 2 small rubber rings in the pool for a full day, the next day, the manager said they aren’t allowed! It seems that they have no idea what the rules are here. The whole place is dated and most of the furniture has issues, with stains and chips. I also found out by other holiday makers that I overpaid by about £1000, as I booked direct with them. I would never stay here again!

12 of us were here for a meal for a 50th. This was an already busy Friday night with lots of drinkers and eaters! We all had piping hot, well cooked and delicious meals. Every one of us. The staff were extremely polite, friendly and efficient. We really cannot find any reason to fault them. We had a vegetarian and a gluten free bod and they had plenty of variety for us. Great food, great service and a very good price. I would highly recommend The Red Lion.

We were very lucky to get a table for two, last minute, on Easter Sunday. We were made very welcome and shown to our seats by a very pleasant & efficient member of staff. Both our meals were excellent and great value for money. We will definitely be returning soon.

A belter of a pub!!! Always a happy atmosphere here. Helpful and happy staff. Good food served quickly. Beer that’s kept well. It’s a family pub that welcomes dogs and children. A happy place!! A special shout out for Jake! If only all barmen were as attentive as him.

Delicious mix grill with an added steak for £4 is a little on the small side but is delicious. The whole plate was full up with other foods sausages chicken gammon chips

The food was nice and reasonably priced. My family had ordered their food and I ordered mine straight afterwards, it took a long time to get ours out which was a bit annoying as my family and pretty much finished by the time ours came out but the food was nice. The staff were friendly too and the place was quite busy. We were able to take the dog in the bar which was really good as well.

Came for lunch on a Monday afternoon, found the staff to be exceptionally friendly especially Jodie who served us, food was average and kind of what you expect for this kind of place none the less still quite enjoyable and filled a hole. Good value also. Plenty of parking free round the back. We came with the dogs and they were more than welcome inside or out. We decided to sit outside and honestly this is where it felt let down really the outside certainly wasn't the cleanest with stuff all over the benches and rubbish everywhere. I'm not saying it put us off as inside did look clean especially the toilets which is always important but we wanted to be out. Otherwise it felt like the clientele inside was locals or regulars at that. Overall though the staff really were lovely and the food enjoyable enough so would use again if in the area.

Had a weeks holiday in Poole and found this pub. Nothing special but the food was brilliant. We were getting 2 main meals for £14 and they didn't skimp on portions.

Hotel is set in a beautiful garden which is situated on a clifftop overlooking Bournemouth beach. The rooms are clean, spacious and reasonably comfortable, although the double bed is actually two beds pushed together, so I have taken a star off for that. Reception staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. Breakfast is not included and is quite expensive at £17.50 per person. There is a good choice on the menu including Full English, smoked haddock with poached egg and kippers. On the negative side, although we were told we did not need to book, the staff seemed flustered when we arrived and there was only one table that could accommodate a group of 4 guests. We were asked repeatedly our names and which rooms we were in by 3 different staff, the service was very slow and the dining experience was not as relaxing as it could have been. The portion size was adequate. The hotel has a bar, the prices were quite high, but you could choose to sit inside or out on the pretty terrace which had a spectacular view out over the sea. There was a function on our 2nd and one of our group was subjected to a lot of noise from the disco below their room. Our Seaview room was quiet after midnight but there was quite a bit of noise from the terrace bar before that and also very early in the morning due to staff activity. On the whole we had a good stay and I would recommend the hotel.

The quality of our stay was undermined by the outdated decor, soft beds, and tired furnishings within the assigned room. This outcome was unexpected, particularly in light of the room rate and the hotel’s self-assessed star rating. In contrast, the public areas of the hotel were well-appointed and aesthetically pleasing, and the staff exhibited a commendable level of politeness and helpfulness. Additionally, the gardens, which provided a pleasant view of the sea, were well-maintained and provided a restful area for reading and conversation etc. Although breakfast was not included in the room rate, it presented a good selection of food accompanied by very good service.

We have stayed at the Miramar hotel several times before and enjoyed our experience every time. This time was no exception to that theme, but just wanted to thank the staff and hotel management for the way they sorted out an issue we had with the shower in our room. We informed reception of the issue, and were promptly moved to another room with an upgrade! This was excellent customer care and we will certainly be returning. Once again many thanks.

A big thank you to the wonderful staff who helped my father last weekend, when he unexpectedly had some poor health. They kindly organised a quiet place where he could have a rest and recover and were very supportive to make sure everything was ok. Fortunately, my father quickly felt better, assisted by the kindness and support of the staff. We will certainly be going back, knowing that we will be very well taken care of. Thanks, Simon

Had a two night break at the Hotel Mirimar where we had a delightful spotlessly clean room. The food was excellent and the staff extremely pleasant and helpful. The view from the hotel is lovely and we look forward to returning.

First let's get the Good out of the way - this should be very quick. 1. The location: good beach location, close to the Bournemouth Pier and the Museum. 2. Public areas: nice front yard and parking included. Now to the reality: 1. I should have read the review from another reviewer about the shoddy and almost pathetic state of the room we were assigned. Outdated decor, smelled like mould and was so stuffy that a staff member didn't want to spend too much time in there. Walking in immediately you're hit with a smell that was described by a staff member of the hotel itself as "old". For the price of the room, this was unacceptable. On bringing this up to the front desk we were offered a fan... And that they were full and no rooms available so come back tomorrow and we can move you before people check-in. OK, fair enough, it seemed they were trying to help. A crazy thing was even after we asked for air freshener for that night, they couldn't help us since it was locked in the room cleaning closet (thank god I didn't need extra toilet paper). Fast forward to the next day after an evening in a smelly room where we woke up to the smell - you don't get used to it. We go to the reception and are met by a new receptionist who tells us sorry we are fully booked and can't help you. And even after telling them what we were told the previous day about moving rooms before people checked in, we were told sorry but other rooms were somehow specifically requested so all they could give us was one tiny room half the size of our current room. After looking at it, there was no smell, great. But we could only get the room after it was cleaned, inspected, given the thumbs up by the crew and then the cleaning manager (ironic... where were all these checks when they OK'd our room), so earliest would be 4 hours from that time and we needed to pack up to prepare everything. We decided to just stay as this was all really frustrating, we were told one thing and it felt like we were just being fobbed off for the next person to pick up, so since it was one more evening and we were headed out to try and get the smell off of our clothes. The receptionist then called the house-keeping to tell them to "sort out the smell", which as I told him, did nothing. But at least now the cleaning cupboard was open and we got that super useful can of air freshener that fixed everything... not. Smelly room drama, and super creaky floorboards (sorry to those staying in the floor below) aside, the hotel looks nice from the back. Can't wait to be back to Bournemouth, but safe to say we won't be walking past this hotel with fond memories (except the one we had finally driving off). And to the Owner or whomever that might comment on this to say they did everything and were fully booked - no you didn't (you offered a fan and a day later an air freshener) and I'm shocked to think how an establishment like this could be fully booked if this is how you treat your guests.

Lovely hotel, room comfortable, food at breakfast and evening meal excellent, staff helpful and friendly. This is the second time I've stayed here and if in the area again, I would definitely return

The staff, and the food were outstanding, you could not fault atall. But the room was a disappointment, it was way to hot, it needed Aircon in there or better fans so felt very uncomfortable, plus the bed could not sleep in due to terrible pillows and mattress felt you were sliding of it. Being I had mobility issues, they had a lift but a very small lift that I asked if I could take in my mobility scooter, said it was fine, but the tightness of it and the corridors it was no good, so myself as I could not walk far had to use the stairs in the front of the hotel which was a nightmare for me to get down and up, the lift was the other side of the hotel to our room so could not make the lift walking. Overall disappointed in that side of our stay, but location staff and food was very good. But would not stay here again unfortunately due to them issues.

Close walk to town centre and beach. The hotel itself is lovely. We went to celebrate my partners birthday, I mentioned it when I booked the room. When we arrived, there was a lovely edible gift awaiting him. Nice little touch. The woman on arrival and check-out looked after us well. Nice 24-hour bar. The only issue was that the lights in the hallway were on all the time. So when it came to sleep, the light peeked through the door. I think next time it would be better if the lights were automatic.

Over the years we have been here many times as a supplier. Proving a Photo Booth to this lovely hotel is never an issue. The staff are always so friendly, the venue clean and fresh. Its a great place for a wedding or party and just a stones throw from the beach. Highly recommended.

Given The Green House announce themselves as a place very focused on sustainability, I was very disappointed to see that the food options didn't follow that criteria. There were just a few vegan options, but the majority of the items all involved animal-derived ingredients. I didn't expect them to be fully vegan, however I expected to see at least a bit more of a push to focus on vegetables given it's way more sustainable. Even the cookies in the room contained butter in it. The staff was very friendly though. I appreciate that. The room was very clean and the bed was comfortable. The shower wasn't great. The shower head kept on falling from the hook, but this was a minor issue.

Stayed here recently through Secret escapes March 2025. Double room was very clean and modern very impressed. Dinner from the Bistro menu was poor - my other half couldn’t even eat the chicken schnitzel and the pork neck was cold. Breakfast was good.

On the whole ok. But, waiting 30 mins for breakfast when the restaurant is less than half full, ine piece of toast that's lightly singed, but not toasted, 'toast', coffee that's like dishwater & brown sauce served by the waitress, by the teaspoon just shouldn't happen. Then on leaving, the cleaner telling me that I cant take the water (that was by the bed side) & it's £9 a bottle was the limit. & they have the nerve to call it 'House Water'! Be better, youre not saving money here, you're sinple telling me that I should have booked in the hotel down the road.

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, LOUD, AND THEY SCAM YOU. I went to this hotel to get engaged to my partner after finding a package deal online listed for a 4 course meal, champagne, and a nice room for a fixed rate. On the main website. When I tried to book this I was told that promotion didn’t exist. They tried to make up for it with a bottle of cheap Prosecco and some restaurant credit for very mediocre food and the most pathetic excuse for a cheese plate I’ve ever seen. We then went to sleep only to be woken by the housekeeping staff at 0745 am banging around our room for 30 min until I had to call the front desk and stop this. I then reported my concerns and as someone that’s not from the uk I said I wouldn’t be staying with them again and would like some compensation. I was then lied to about the process of this and fed a story about this needing to be investigated by the owner in another city. Turns out they have a manager who can make these decisions and eventually she did reach out. To offer a meager 10% on future stays. I’m not from here that’s not how you rectify a mistake after ruining someone’s sleep at your HOTEL. An establishment literally for sleeping. Go to the Marriott it’s way cheaper nicer and a higher level of service.

Durlston Country Park, a short walk from Swanage, offers a variety of well-maintained and clearly signposted trails with stunning views. There is also Durlston Castle at the start, which has toilets, a nice cafe and some interesting displays about the walks and local wildlife. If you’re in Swanage, you should definitely spend an hour or two exploring this beautiful place - I’ll definitely be back!

A lovely place to visit. 30 mins walk from Swanage. Great views from the castle and along footpaths. Parking on site if you don’t fancy walking up the hills. Some great wildlife on site. Restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Art gallery and interpretation throughout the park about the history of the site and the local wildlife. It’s on the coastal path

Lovely castle and beautiful landscapes. The parking is convenient, there were plenty of free space on Saturday. The stay shall be paid at the end, no tickets, all fully automated, which is great at my opinion. There is a cafe with stunning view! Dog friendly

Lovely cafe with beautiful views, walks are breath taking highly recommend

A stunning country park located at the end of Swanage, woodland & coastal walk with a castle to stop at for refreshments. Plenty of paid parking.

Really nice place to visit. The cafe does excellent food.

Durlston never disappoints. It has woodland, cliff top and countryside walks for all the family. The park is extremely well maintained by a dedicated team and the facilities are perfect. At the moment you can get breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, although naturally there is no inside seating. Having said that there is plenty of external seating overlooking the sea. Car parking is good and reasonable. Highly recommended. Many of the Paths around the park are accessible.

Come here quite often. Lovely place. Exceptional views.

What is the best about this place? The most exciting experiences are: - 📸To take photos of the sea shore and the lighthouse itself from outside. - 🐟To have a seafood meal in the local restaurant (Salmon is the best!). ☕️🫖And a cup of hot tea with the sea view. - 🦅To admire the seagulls stealing food from the tables 😆. - 🧗‍♂️To climb over the cliffs and rocks (Gentle reminder! Be extra careful! Just keep in mind that to climb up a cliff is easier obviously than to rappelling down). - 🎁To hang around the gift shop on the ground floor - To observe the huge old lantern💡on the ground floor at the beginning of the excursion - 📢To listen to the warning siren sound on the middle floor - 🪜To go upstairs 256 (?) steps to the top - 👌To listen to the history of the lighthouse. With the sirens sounds, the comparing lanterns sizes and prices (an old and a modern one), the observing the top floor, the explanation how great engineering job was done to create the lighthouse. ⚠️ TopTip - book your guided excursion beforehand (a couple of hours worked for us, maybe a couple of days). Final step to complete the whole impression ✅

It’s one of my favourite places to come every time I’m in Dorset as a family if you want some quiet time relax look at the views and the lighthouse then you might enjoy your self in this part of the world bring some binoculars with you as you may see some beautiful ships cruse military tankers Ect ect bird life is amazing too

Beautiful lighthouse, beautiful location. The staff were also very kind and generous.

Attached to the lighthouse providing information and souvenirs. Clearly visible from the car park and from passing vessels.

Great tour of lighthouse and really interesting history. Special feature was being able to climb to the top- ( 153 steps) great views and the tour guide ensures health and safety!

Lovely location 👌, great views, cafe was fantastic, trip up the steps of the lighthouse recommended

Nice view of the bay but snail paced service. Bring a happy poodle and you'll get served quicker. Other breeds available, but don't know what speed bonus they offer.

Supposedly table service, but apparently no one has informed the staff... On arrival, we stood by the large sign that said "Please wait to be seated" in full view of two members of staff for about five minutes, before a waitress finally wandered in from outside and asked if we were okay. "We're waiting to be seated," we said. "Oh, just sit anywhere," she said. Very helpful sign they have then. Ten minutes later, having been entirely ignored once, we collected a pair of menus from the bar. After five more minutes someone did, blessedly, arrive to take our order and the food itself came in a timely enough fashion. Lunch was comprised of two perfectly serviceable sandwiches, although the "smoked salmon, cream cheese and caramelised red onion" sandwich contained no caramelised red onion. We would have bothered to complain about it, if we'd had the required semaphore flags to communicate with the absent service staff. Another long wait, and we eventually went up to the till and asked for the bill. I will add that throughout all of this, the restaurant was two thirds empty. So, all in all, the food was acceptable, and the staff friendly and polite, but good luck getting their attention.

We went there very recently with friends as I was a big fan of the ' By the Bay' restaurant. For my surprise by the bay is no more but looks like they've changed owner. I asked for sweet potato fries. They came really quickly but they're horrible! Horrible taste, only a tiny amount for a lot of money. Tasted like was old. The new chairs are very uncomfortable. I afraid I am not going there anymore.

The Bay 'pop up' takeaway. Didn't eat in restaurant, used takeaway window. Ordered 6 meals, nothing complicated, guy serving struggled to comprehend the 6 and tried charging for 5, I pointed out I'd ordered 6, eventually worked out what he'd missed, then waited 20 mins to be given 5 meals, had to wait another 10 to be given undercooked fish, waited another 10 while we were cooked a fresh piece, none of the food was particularly nice and I ended up returning most of it. When I spoke to manager he was quick to blame it being busy but it hadn't been when I'd ordered, he said it could be that the thought of being busy had spooked (??) the people serving so they weren't coping under the pressure. I was offered full refund and took the kids elsewhere.

Went here just before Christmas. We had a large breakfast like, it was lovely, the sausages were amazing. We left our child's cutlery at home, but the friendly staff provided us with a plastic baby spoon. Beautiful views across the bay too

We visited on Saturday evening, the service was efficient and food served quickly, we had 2 " fish and Chips", the chips were over cooked, the same for the batter which made the fish dry. Over priced @ £11.50 per portion.

Well what can I say-Booked to eat there as we had liked the restaurant 1 few years ago but didn't realise it had changed hands. The owner was very friendly but he had no previous experience and it showed a mile. Our waitress was quite frankly terrible. Our wine (not a cheap one) was plonked down on the table without even offering to open the bottle and then she brought us champagne glasses!-it was a white wine. We ordered cheese to share for desert and it was brought with no plates or knives. When we asked for these plates were plonked down and a knife with soupspoon wrapped in a napkin came too ! My husband asked why the soup spoon and the waitress replied -"that's how they come" !! It was such a shame as it in a prime setting and could be really lovely. The prices certainly weren't cheap and I think the owner must decide whether he wants a restaurant with properly trained staff or just a beach café. The chef was obviously well-trained and food excellent. Sorry to have had to write such a bad review

Great stay here. Very quiet, lovely breakfast and interesting chats with the owner. Had a lovely weekend, great location for walking into and around Bournemouth.

The worst experience ever. The room wasn’t ready at 4pm and there was nowhere for us to park even though we’d paid and reserved a parking space. We accepted this and said we’d come back in an hour. It was the same when we returned. The bell didn’t work and we had to phone both times for the door to be opened by a very unpleasant and rude woman, “Coco”. She treated us as though we were an inconvenience, not as paying guests. We decided we could not stay in this filthy place and cancelled our booking. The photos on the website must have been taken a long time ago because it is a very run down property and absolutely nothing like a 4* hotel.

Really cute B&B in the centre of Bournemouth...dont let this worry you as the road is so lovely and quiet. You wouldn't think you were minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the shops and restaurants. Coco the owner is an adorable lady. So hospitable caring and accommodating. The rooms are comfy and well equipped. So if you want a comfy QUIET stay in Bournemouth try the Blue Palms. Thank you for your hospitality Coco. You are wonderful ❤️ I hope to see you again soon. Rosanna. Xxxx ❤️

Should be 10 star! Absolutely fabulous place to stay - spotless, comfortable, great location, perfect. Room was bright and comfy - twin - ensuite sparkling and spacious. Avril and Paul are brilliant, warm, friendly and welcoming, great sense of humor and clearly love what they do. We felt like we were staying with friends. Yummy breakfast - keep you fueled for the day! Thank you both for making us feel so special and looked after! xxx Celia and Anne x

great hotel with excellent service, clean room with good quality bedding，very comfortable bed，delicious breakfast，staff are very friendly and helpful，owner has heart in gold! Great location just 2 minuets walk to the shops and restaurants, 5 minutes walk to beach park, ,BIC. Very lovely place! Thank you very much for the enjoyable stay!! Kevin

Blue Palms is in an excellent location, easy walking access to the beach and Bornemouth centre. The rooms have everything you need and are spotlessly clean. The parking is a little tight but Jonathan happily helped out. The hosts here are really lovely people and their customer service is excellent! Would visit again.

host and owner Mary was so welcoming and helpful we visited in august with family two rooms got the nice weather and a brilliant deal with Mary decent Victorian type rooms and location not far from every need however uphill walk to the hotel. Close to shops beach etc pleasure visiting and thanks again Mary good meeting you.

Eat here!!! Fantastic food and service. I've been here many times. Every time has been great. Love the decor, atmosphere and attentive staff. Nothing is too much trouble. Highly recommend and will be returning asap.

Food was okay, really enjoyed the frogs legs. The pork main I had was two of the fattiest pieces of belly pork I've had but my wife's sea bass was lovely. The liquor coffees were only half full, but they did take one off the bill. The only thing I can really criticise is the bill. Far too pricey. Will I go back. Probably not.

Nice atmosphere and great steak. The chef was nice and engaging as well as the owner. Oh ... did I say my filet with peppercorn sauce and asparagus on top of layered scallop potatoes was great?

Amazing atmosphere. Excellent food and drink. Brilliant customer service. Great hygiene. Good prices. 5 star.

Eaten here on a number of occasions - always a top quality service with an even better quality of food. One of the best, if not THE best, restaurants in Weymouth.

Food was perfect as was the atmosphere. Service was a little slow but worth the wait will be visiting again.

Food was beautiful. Very nice quality restaurant. Going again tomorrow.