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 (and great local drinks).
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
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 – Sunday until 7pm.
Open: Monday - Sunday: 12pm to 10pm (food served 12pm – 8pm)
The Pymore Inn | Outdoor Bar, Pizza Oven
15-minute easy walk from Outbuildings
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: Mon – Tues, 12pm – Close; Weds – Sat, 12pm – 10pm
Sun, 12pm – 8pm
Market House | Courtyard Garden, Central Location
40-minute easy walk from Outbuildings
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: Monday – Tues, 10am – 10pm, Weds – Sat, 10am – 11:30pm,
Sun 12pm – 8pm
The Half Moon | Enclosed Garden, Heated Marquee
60-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings
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.
We love the heated marquee with its fairy lights and bunting. It was put up
during Lockdown and proved popular, so it stayed. Plus, it comes in very
handy if the weather suddenly changes and you’re halfway through a gin!
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: Wed, 5pm – close, Thurs – Sat, 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – close
Sun 12pm – 6pm
The Marquis of Lorne | Award-Winning, Child-Friendly
90-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings
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: Mon – Sun, 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
The Potting Shed | Pop-Up Bar, Trendy Vibe
30-minute easy walk from Outbuildings
One of the coolest al fresco bars in Bridport is The Potting Shed, from
our good friends, Dark Bear (whose fabulous cocktails you can order
to your room here at Outbuildings).
Serving a great range of inventive rum and gin cocktails, wine and local beer,
The Potting Shed is tucked away at the back of the Bridge House Hotel. It’s a
stone-walled garden with some cover and a hip, rustic feel – the bar is an old
shed!
There are plenty of bistro table and chairs (we’ve never had a problem
getting a table), as well as baskets of blankets, and heaters for chillier
evenings. Should the Potting Shed fill up, there’s a second beer garden next
to the river adjacent to where guests park. There’s also Dark Bear’s
brilliant Cellar Bar with its super-slick speakeasy ambience – an ideal escape
from the summer heat.
Open: Weds – Frid, 10am – 2pm, 4pm – 10pm (last drink orders at 9.30pm)
Sat, 11am – 10pm, Sun, 11am – 7pm
Rise | Riverside Drinks, Near the Sea
10-minute easy drive from Outbuildings
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
Friday & Saturday, 9am - 11pm
The Cart Shed | Cool Cocktails, Rustic Feels
Right here at Outbuildings
For a Bridport pub-style drinking experience with the Outbuildings’ own-
brand look and personality, you must try The Baaa right here on-site.
You’ll find The Baaa inside our rustic, intimate Cart Shed dining barn with either Ed or Dom ready to shake you up a drink. If you’re in any doubt of its location, just follow the soft chilled beats of the music!
The twinkly terrace garden just outside The Baaa is a laid-back, sun-washed
space where you can chat in the warmth or by the firepit until the stars come
out. Or you can chill on the comfy leather sofa inside or perch on the
upcycled stools (within striking distance of the drinks menu).
We serve a host of punchy cocktails (invented by us or Dark Bear), local
beers, ciders and wines, as well as homemade gin. Best of all, if you’re
staying with us there’s no taxi needed and zero effort
required to get to it.
The Cart Shed is also open for unique and delicious dining experience during your stay. Pre-booking is essential!
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