The Hottest Bridport Pub Gardens to Soak Up a Dorset Summer
- Outbuildings
- Jun 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 12
Dorset in the sun is unbeatable; especially if you enjoy it from one of the
gorgeous Bridport pub gardens that we have on our Outbuildings doorstep.
So, where exactly should you muster for a pint of Dorset’s finest in the heat?
We’ve picked out the best pubs in Bridport that come with a cracking beer
garden, great local drinks - and they're dog-friendly, too.
For the Bridport pubs you can walk to, we’ve plotted out the walking
route to get you there and back safely. For those a little further afield, we’ve
included easy driving directions; although you may want to book a local taxi
in case you enjoy the gardens a bit too much – if you know what we mean.
Wink, wink.
The Anchor Inn | Sea View, Beachside Pizza
20-minute drive from Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
With a rockstar location overlooking Seatown beach, The Anchor
Inn’s beer garden is the stuff summer dreams are made of. You can sit on the
pub’s front patio with its chunky timber tables and views up to Thorncombe
Beacon or head around to the side garden where the tables follow the cliff edge and look out over Seatown beach.
You’ll find The Anchor Inn in a small coastal hamlet called Seatown, between
Charmouth and Lyme Regis. Although this dog-friendly gastropub isn’t in Bridport, it is definitely worth the taxi fare (or bus trip). The drive is easy but the parking can be furious in the summer months,
despite the large car park opposite the pub, so go early (or prepare to be patient).
If you’re up for a challenge, you can walk the South West Coast Path from Bridport to Seatown. It’s a strenuous 1hr 15 min walk but there are incredible views of the Jurassic Coast to keep your
spirits up!
There’s an outside bar – open in summer – serving top Dorset tipples with
a sea breeze. There’s also a pizza oven, called the Seatown Slice, which opens
Friday 5 - 7pm, weekends 9- 7pm.
Open: Mon - Sun 12pm - 1opm, food served 12 - 8.30pm
The Pymore Inn | Outdoor Bar, Pizza Oven
15-minute easy walk from Outbuildings | 2025 Taste of the West Gold Award | Dog-friendly
The Pymore Inn has one of the best Bridport pub gardens in the area. With a
huge, private walled garden, set next to the creeper-clad pub itself, it is just
the spot to splash back a local ale or glass of Pimms after a walk in the Dorset
sunshine.
Come summertime, the outside bar opens, the pizza oven fires up and the
fire pit sparks to life. Despite being a popular choice, The Pymore Inn pub
garden never feels too crowded or noisy; and children and dogs are always
welcome.
You’ll find this Bridport pub a mile north of Bridport off the A3066. To get
there by foot from Outbuildings, simply download our directions below.
Open: Weds - Sat 12pm - 10.30pm (food served 12pm -3pm & 5.30pm - 8.30pm)
Sundays open 12pm -5pm (food served 12pm - 3pm)
The Market House | Courtyard Garden, Central Bridport
40-minute easy walk from Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
Thanks to its central location in Bridport town, the Market House is a popular
pitstop for shoppers getting their fill of unique Bridport shops. This Bridport pub is Tardis-like on the inside, with many different areas to root to and enjoy a Palmer’s pint or a large plate of
pub grub.
Head through the pub and find the garden out the back. It’s more of a
courtyard than a garden, with a cool metropolitan atmosphere and makes a
nice, secretive escape from the town hustle and bustle.
If you prefer a little more action with your food and drink, take a
bistro table on the pavement in front of The Market House. People
watching from this point is addictive.
Open: Mon - Thurs 10am-10pm (food served 12pm - 9pm)
Fri - Sat 10am - 11pm (food served 10am - 9pm)
Sun 11am - 7pm (food served 12-6pm)
The Half Moon | Enclosed Garden
60-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
There’s always a warm welcome waiting for you at this traditional thatched Bridport pub, whether you choose inside or outside. The beer garden sits at the back of the pub and is an impressive size, with plenty of picnic tables to
be able to grab a good seat.
The garden is enclosed by trees giving it a distinctly private feel. Although it doesn’t have a dramatic vista, you can see beyond the trees to the Dorset countryside.
The Half Moon at Melplash is one of the oldest Bridport pubs, dating back to 1600, so it’s worth a visit to also sit inside and soak up the historical
atmosphere. You’ll find it only a 3-minute drive from Outbuildings but we
recommend the 45-minute walk through the stunning valley.
Open: Weds - Sat 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pm (food served 12pm - 2.15pm & 6pm-8pm)
Sun 12pm - 9pm (food served 12pm -2.30pm)
The Marquis of Lorne | Award-Winning, Child-Friendly
90-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
The Marquis of Lorne feature is no stranger to local and national plaudits.
It features in numerous Good Pub Guides and even has a trophy cabinet
for its garden silverware!
Situated half a mile from Powerstock, this 16th -century inn has fabulous views
across the valley toward Eggardon hill; the pub hasn’t changed all that much
since it first welcomed weary travellers in the Elizabethan age and is cosy and
friendly inside.
The cheerful garden is always a hit with families who stop off here during the
summer months to grab lunch under the apple trees. It’s a sprawling area
split into three main parts, with a brilliant play area for children, ever-green
bushes and shrubs, and beautifully-kept lawns.
You can see there is a lot of love and attention has been poured into the
design and lay-out – which is clearly why this Bridport pub won the Best
Palmers Garden in Bloom Award in 2014 and the CAMRA Pub Garden of the
Year in 2018.
Open: 12-2pm & 6-8pm (7.30 Mon - Sun)
Rise | Riverside Drinks, Near the Sea
10-minute easy drive from Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
You can’t miss Rise in West Bay. This sprawling dog-friendly café bar sits on
it's own little island where the River Brit meets the harbour. Not strictly a
Bridport pub we know, but it is very worthy of a mention due to its great
outdoor credentials.
There are two options for al fresco drinks or teas and coffees: on the upper
level wooden terrace, decked with Scandi tables and a glass balustrade, or
on the grass in the River Garden where there is plenty of picnic style seating
and long benches.
You simply hop, skip over the connecting bridge to get to Rise – and although
they take walk-ins, we recommend booking in advanced.
Open: Mon – Sun, 9am - 10pm
The Cart Shed | Cool Cocktails, Rustic Feels
Right here at Outbuildings | Dog-friendly
For a Bridport pub-style drinking experience with the Outbuildings’ own-brand look and personality, you must try our rustic, intimate Cart Shed restaurant and bar right here on-site.
The twinkly terrace garden just outside The Cart Shed is a laid-back, sun-washed
space where you can chat in the warmth or by the firepit until the stars come
out. Or if you prefer, you can chill inside at the bar or grab a table and a soft seat to pair your drinks with some delicious local food. Naturally, because we are 100% dog-friendly, your pet pal is welcome in our restaurant, too.
Step inside and we'll shake you up a delicious cocktail or pour you a local
beer, cider or wine. Best of all, if you’re staying with us there’s no taxi needed afterwards and zero effort
required to get to it. The Cart Shed also serves delicious lunches and dinners to enjoy during your stay. You can just turn up, but we recommend pre-booking so you don't miss out.
Open: daily until 10pm
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