The Square and Compass

Worth Matravers, Dorset

01929 439229

Local ciders and home-made pasties are just two of the attractions of this quirky freehouse, set in a remote Dorset village just a mile from the coast.

Manager Kevin Hunt says: 'We attract great numbers of walkers here, or just people enjoying the beautiful countryside and sea, so it is very much a walking-boots-and-dogs type of place. We don't try to impress anyone.

For 98 years now, the pub has been owned and operated by the Newman family, whose love of fossils, stuffed animals and other ancient relics led them to open what Hunt claims is one of only a handful of museums in the country attached to a pub. The garden is also a far cry from the usual offering, housing an array of stone carvings, old vehicles and cart wheels and a family of real ducks and chickens that peck away at your feet while you admire the view. The wide selection of real ales include offerings from the Ringwood, Palmer and Hop Back breweries. There is also a range of 10 local ciders, which are extremely popular with customers. In fact, Hunt claims to have sold nothing but cider for a whole hour one day recently.

The food, which is served on paper plates, consists solely of home-made cheese and vegetable or steak pasties and sausage pies.

Hunt, who says he invariably serves behind the bar 'wearing odd socks, encourages his staff to be 'fun and relaxed, rather than bored.

Overall, it's not hard to see why this pub found its way into our top 10 for a second year running.