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Customers Recommend This Country Pub For Its Great Food And Dub It ‘The Best Beer Garden In Dorset’

by Harriet Young Updated: September 17, 2024
written by Harriet Young Updated: September 17, 2024
2.7K

Looking for a classic countryside pub with good food that is family-friendly can be hard to find. We’ve found one that ticks all those boxes, plus more.

The Kings Arms in Portesham is a lovely pub set on a country road between Weymouth and West Bay.

Dorset Hills are the backdrop to what customers say is ‘Dorset’s best beer garden.’

Everyone is welcome at The Kings Arm’s, where the road sign states ‘Family, Welly Boot and Dog Friendly’

The picturesque garden setting at The Kings Arms is the perfect spot to enjoy the Dorset countryside.

The pub is believed to have been established around 1900 and is situated in the historic and traditional village of Portesham.

Pretty thatched cottages, red brick houses and vast green countryside can be seen all around.

Lots of local attractions are close by including Abbotsbury Swannery and Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

Food is served every day at lunchtime and in the evening.

Clams Mariniere in a garlic and white wine sauce served with fries

The Kings Arms believes in using fresh and locally sourced ingredients and uses locally brewed beer and cider, giving you the best ingredients on offer in Dorset.

The menu is a great mix of dishes, with lots of choices on offer, so there’s something suitable and inviting for everyone.

A hearty roast dinner, complete with all the trimmings, enjoyed in the open air.

The food comes out in an acceptable amount of time, leaving plenty of time to chat but not leaving it too long for you to get ‘hangry’

The good-sized portions fill you up and the children’s portions were a nice change to the small plates you sometimes get off of the children’s menu.

Children’s sausage, chips and peas

There’s always room for dessert!

Delicious treats are on offer to satisfy that sweet tooth after your meal.

There’s a great choice, giving you all the classics such as apple pie, meringue and chocolate torte.

Chocolate torte, Apple pie, each served with ice cream. They were delicious!

There are different areas to dine in, giving guests the option to have a fancy sit-down meal in the restaurant or a relaxed bite to eat in the beer garden.

Inside, there is a traditional bar and dining area with a relaxed, cosy vibe and three open fires to keep you toasty during the colder months.

Sitting in the dining area with a drink, the view and a fire on a cold winter’s day sounds lovely.

Facebook / The Kings Arms – Portesham
The rustic charm of the pub’s interior creates a warm and welcoming dining atmosphere.

The outside is beautiful, with lots of green space to enjoy your food and drink in the open air.

Theres a choice of a large decking area bringing you closer to the main restaurant or the picnic tables.

The garden is stunning, with a lovely flower bed that is well-kept and a stream that runs through, creating a peaceful and relaxed vibe after a day out in Dorset.

Facebook / The Kings Arms – Portesham
The spacious beer garden at The Kings Arms is ideal for relaxing in the afternoon with friends and family.

💡 Point of interest: Events are held, such as quiz nights, football matches and live music in the garden.

Located in the garden and on warmer days, visitors can enjoy food from the ‘Coast and Country Shack, giving you a mix of food from the land, sea and garden.

Enjoy amazing pizzas freshly made from the wood-fired oven and deli board platters packed with delicious local food.

Facebook / The Kings Arms – Portesham
Pizza and a pint. Life is good!

If you fancy staying at the Kings Arms, there are three rooms available for just that.

Situated in a separate annexe away from the pub, you can spend the night in one of the aptly named rooms: Chesil, Hardy’s or Jurrasic.

Offering clean and modern rooms with an ensuite, they’re perfect for couples, families or solo guests who want a cosy night away in a picturesque village in Dorset.

Facebook / The Kings Arms – Portesham

The King’s Arms is an excellent place to enjoy with your friends and family. With a great menu of delicious food that is traditional but with an elegant twist.

There is free parking and amazing views of the surrounding countryside; everything you could want from a traditional English pub and beer garden is right here in Portesham.

For more information about The Kings Arms, check out their website.

Have a lovely time, and thank you for reading.

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Harriet Young

I am a mother of two beautiful boys and wife to Alan, with whom I started Dorset Explored. My passion for Dorset runs deep, as it's an incredible place that I love to explore and experience anew. Every day brings a new discovery about Dorset, deepening my love for my home county.

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