The Inn at Cranborne

Jane Gould spent a long time looking for the perfect country inn and it was certainly worth the search. There are few places as charming as the 16th-century Inn at Cranborne, located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fishermen, walkers, locals and visitors all sing its praises.

Cosy corners, roaring fires, Sunday roasts and real ales are just the tip of the iceberg. Jane and the chef develop menus that reflect the freshest locally soured ingredients, helping the inn win Best Restaurant at the Blackmore Vale Media Taste of Dorset Awards 2018. Local foraging results in the likes of wild garlic, nettles and blackberries, while vegetables, herbs and fruit come from the inn’s cottage garden. We whetted our appetites with delicious starters of three-cheese soufflé with chive sauce, and sautéed wild mushrooms on brioche with a blue cheese glaze. To follow, I sampled delectable poached chicken breast with creamy mashed potato, pak choi and wild mushroom sauce, while my partner plumped for hearty suet steak and mushroom pie with fresh seasonal vegetables. To accompany the food, we enjoyed refreshing gin and tonics selected from the impressive gin collection, which features over 40 varieties.

Pop in for a hearty breakfast if you’re off to walk the Jubilee Trail, which runs past the pub, or enjoy it at leisure if you’ve chosen to stay in one of the eight en-suite rooms. A good night’s sleep beneath a fluffy feather duvet will set you up for exploring the local area.