An
Englishman's Pub is this Castle;
as featured in Dorset's national
award winning magazine "Dorset" |
You've
just walked or cycled through the beautiful Purbecks and have exhausted yourself
clambering around Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Suddenly your dreams of a cool
pint and some good food are a reality as, just up the hill on the left hand side
out of Lulworth Cove, you discover The Castle Inn which just has to be one of
the prettiest and most traditional thatched inns in the county. Successfully
run by the Halliday family now for the past 12 years (since January 1983), whether
you're a walker or a cyclist, a family with kids or even a dog, you're guaranteed
a warm welcome second to none by this infectiously friendly family and their staff. Originally
starting life as a set of cottages back in 1650, The Castle Inn still retains
great character and you can sense the warmth as soon as you step inside the thatched
covered porch. Inside to your right you'll find the main Dorset Bar, offering
cosy surrounds, plenty of pub gamesto while away the pints and a mouth-watering
array of Hot and Cold Dishes from the buffet counter. The smaller and intimate
Lounge Bar to your left leads on to the splendidly appointed restaurant. When
busy during the week you can dine in the restaurant as well as wither bar areas
but, on Saturday nights, the restaurant is avaliable only for intimate candlelit
flambe meals from the a'la carte menu, where reservations are essential. Featured
in the Good Pub guide, The Castle Inn stocks and extensive range of beers, lagers,
real ales and soft drinks as well as a comprehensive wine list. Some of the tempting
dishes on offer dueing our vist were such starters as Whitebait and brown bread
or Butterfly Prawns and cocktail dip. Main courses featured were Scampi and Scallop
Provencal with onions, garlic and tomatoes on a bed of rice. Various grills
and Beefsteaks were also avaliable as were lamb and chicken. If you're able to
reserve a table in the flambe restaurant on a Saturday night, how about going
for the Chateaubriande. which is a whole piece of Fillet, grilled to your liking,
carved and flambed at your table and served with bernaise sauce. On summers
days and nights, why not take in some fresh Purbeck air, and either sit outside
the front with its neat patio areas or revel in the beauty of the beer garden
to the rear of The Castle Inn, which has been transformed from a wild, overgrown
bank , into a superb garden complete with waterfall , that scooped an award as
"Best Garden Of The Year" in Gardening News. If you fany making a night
of your visit, then The Castle Inn has 14 letting rooms from singles to a Four
Poster, but remember to leave room for breakfast - it is well renowned! The
blackboard outside The Castle Inn reminds you that "You are now entering
the Happy Zone" so, if you're looking to eat, drink and be Marry in superb
surrounds, you've got to take a trip to The Castle Inn at Lulworth Cove and let
the happy Halliday's put a smile back on your face. For reservations and
enquiries telephone the Castle on 01929 400311. David Blackthorn, "Dorset"
Magazine | 