OutbuildingsThe Hottest Bridport Pub Gardens to Soak Up a Dorset Summer
Dorset in the sun is unbeatable; especially if you enjoy it from one of the
gorgeous Bridport pub gardens that we have on our Outbuildings doorstep.
So, where exactly should you muster for a pint of Dorset’s finest in the heat?
We’ve picked out the best pubs in Bridport that come with a cracking beer
garden (and great local drinks).
For the Bridport pubs you can walk to, we’ve plotted out the walking
route to get you there and back safely. For those a little further afield, we’ve
included easy driving directions; although you may want to book a local taxi
in case you enjoy the gardens a bit too much – if you know what we mean.
Wink, wink.
The Anchor Inn | Sea View, Beachside Pizza
20-minute drive from Outbuildings
With a rockstar location overlooking Seatown beach, The Anchor
Inn’s beer garden is the stuff summer dreams are made of. You can sit on the
pub’s front patio with its chunky timber tables and views up to Thorncombe
Beacon or head around to the side garden where the tables follow the cliff
edge and look out over Seatown beach.
You’ll find The Anchor Inn in a small coastal hamlet called Seatown, between
Charmouth and Lyme Regis. Although this dog-friendly gastropub isn’t in Bridport, it is definitely worth the taxi fare (or bus trip). The drive is easy but the parking can be furious in the summer months,
despite the large car park opposite the pub, so go early (or prepare to be
patient).
If you’re up for a challenge, you can walk the South West Coast Path from Bridport to Seatown. It’s a strenuous 1hr 15 min walk but there are incredible views of the Jurassic Coast to keep your
spirits up!
There’s an outside bar – open in summer – serving top Dorset tipples with
a sea breeze. There’s also a pizza oven, called the Seatown Slice, which opens
Friday – Sunday until 7pm.
Open: Monday - Sunday: 12pm to 10pm (food served 12pm – 8pm)
The Pymore Inn | Outdoor Bar, Pizza Oven
15-minute easy walk from Outbuildings
The Pymore Inn has one of the best Bridport pub gardens in the area. With a
huge, private walled garden, set next to the creeper-clad pub itself, it is just
the spot to splash back a local ale or glass of Pimms after a walk in the Dorset
sunshine.
Come summertime, the outside bar opens, the pizza oven fires up and the
fire pit sparks to life. Despite being a popular choice, The Pymore Inn pub
garden never feels too crowded or noisy; and children and dogs are always
welcome.
You’ll find this Bridport pub a mile north of Bridport off the A3066. To get
there by foot from Outbuildings, simply download our directions below.
Open: Mon – Tues, 12pm – Close; Weds – Sat, 12pm – 10pm
Sun, 12pm – 8pm
Market House | Courtyard Garden, Central Location
40-minute easy walk from Outbuildings
Thanks to its central location in Bridport town, the Market House is a popular
pitstop for shoppers getting their fill of unique Bridport shops. This Bridport pub is Tardis-like on the inside, with many different areas to root to and enjoy a Palmer’s pint or a large plate of
pub grub.
Head through the pub and find the garden out the back. It’s more of a
courtyard than a garden, with a cool metropolitan atmosphere and makes a
nice, secretive escape from the town hustle and bustle.
If you prefer a little more action with your food and drink, take a
bistro table on the pavement in front of The Market House. People
watching from this point is addictive.
Open: Monday – Tues, 10am – 10pm, Weds – Sat, 10am – 11:30pm,
Sun 12pm – 8pm
The Half Moon | Enclosed Garden, Heated Marquee
60-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings
There’s always a warm welcome waiting for you at this traditional thatched
Bridport pub, whether you choose inside or outside. The beer garden sits at
the back of the pub and is an impressive size, with plenty of picnic tables to
be able to grab a good seat.
The garden is enclosed by trees giving it a distinctly private feel. Although it
doesn’t have a dramatic vista, you can see beyond the trees to the Dorset
countryside.
We love the heated marquee with its fairy lights and bunting. It was put up
during Lockdown and proved popular, so it stayed. Plus, it comes in very
handy if the weather suddenly changes and you’re halfway through a gin!
The Half Moon at Melplash is one of the oldest Bridport pubs, dating back to
1600, so it’s worth a visit to also sit inside and soak up the historical
atmosphere. You’ll find it only a 3-minute drive from Outbuildings but we
recommend the 45-minute walk through the stunning valley.
Open: Wed, 5pm – close, Thurs – Sat, 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – close
Sun 12pm – 6pm
The Marquis of Lorne | Award-Winning, Child-Friendly
90-minute challenging walk from Outbuildings
The Marquis of Lorne feature is no stranger to local and national plaudits.
It features in numerous Good Pub Guides and even has a trophy cabinet
for its garden silverware!
Situated half a mile from Powerstock, this 16th -century inn has fabulous views
across the valley toward Eggardon hill; the pub hasn’t changed all that much
since it first welcomed weary travellers in the Elizabethan age and is cosy and
friendly inside.
The cheerful garden is always a hit with families who stop off here during the
summer months to grab lunch under the apple trees. It’s a sprawling area
split into three main parts, with a brilliant play area for children, ever-green
bushes and shrubs, and beautifully-kept lawns.
You can see there is a lot of love and attention has been poured into the
design and lay-out – which is clearly why this Bridport pub won the Best
Palmers Garden in Bloom Award in 2014 and the CAMRA Pub Garden of the