Square & Compass
Worth Maltravers, Dorset
Freehouse
The Square & Compass dates back to the 1750s and some aspects of the way business is done today haven't changed over the centuries. All the real ales and real ciders are gravity fed. There is no bar and customers have to queue to get their drinks from two serving hatches. Stone floors and open fireplaces complete the picture of what the Square & Compasses must have been like back then.
The freehouse has been owned by the same family for the past 101 years and the present owner, Charlie Newman, is responsible for maintaining the pub's fossil museum. Licensee Kevin Hunt is in his fourth year at the pub and remarks: "Why try and change it? We have people coming here year after year while on holiday in the area."
The pub's idyllic location - it's on the coastal footpath and surrounded by stunning scenery - helps generate trade from walkers and tourists. This provides a lifeline for the freehouse because the village of Worth Maltravers only consists of around 100 houses and most of them are second homes.
The pub's main attraction is the wide selection of real ales and real ciders. Hunt explains: "We'll have up to 13 on at a time, three beers and 10 ciders." The pub's reputation for cider has been recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale, which led to it being named as runner up in Camra's real cider pub of the year awards.
Although cider is the Square & Compass's unique selling point, Hunt says he would like to serve more real ale, but adds: "It is such a tiny pub, the problem is having enough space to let the beer settle."
The food offering is limited to pasties served on paper plates, but this doesn't put off the customers and up to 300 can be present in its large beer garden on a summer afternoon.
Live music features regularly at the pub with a mix of genres helping to attract differing groups of customers. The pub is staffed by three full time and four part-time helpers and Hunt says "the joviality of the staff" is a key ingredient in attracting repeat custom.
