Pints of View Summer 2026 - the branch magazine of Mansfield & Ashfield CAMRA.
Out and about inn... Wareham
The Purbeck area of Dorset has been our go-to place for nearly 20 years, and at the 'Gateway to the Purbecks' is the Saxon town of Wareham.
Wareham has been our base from which attractions such as Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Swanage, and the Studland peninsula are just a short drive away. The pretty walled town sits on the River Frome, and the quay is a hive of activity, whether from its Saturday market, to 'Wareham Wednesday' events on August evenings, or just locals and visitors enjoying the idyllic spot to relax and watch the world go by.
My guide starts at the 'top end' of town, on North Street at the 18th century, Grade II listed King's Arms. The whitewashed thatched cottage, adorned with hanging baskets and planters, oozes kerbside appeal. Inside, there are low, beamed ceilings, flagstone floors, and a real fireplace, making for a cosy place to sit and have a pint. Should the weather be more conducive to outside drinking, the pub has a large west-facing beer garden to the rear. Ales tend to come from larger, well-known breweries across the south, and on my visit, Sharpe's Sea Fury, Butcombe Gold, Bath Gem, and Exmoor Ale were the choices on the bar.
Alighting from the King's Arms and walking down North Street to the crossroads, then left onto East Street brings you to the Duke of Wellington. Much like the King's Arms, the Duke of Wellington is Grade II listed and features flagstone floors, an inglenook fireplace and plenty of charm. To the rear of the pub is an enclosed yard, which is a sun-trap in the summer months. Hopback Summer Lightning, Ringwood Forty Niner, Courage Best Bitter, and Isle of Purbeck Fossil Fuel were on the bar when I visited. Being a long-time fan of Summer Lightning made the choice a pretty simple one here. Meeting House
Heading back to the crossroads, then turning left and left again onto St. John's Hill, you'll find the Horse & Groom. You won't find a warmer welcome anywhere than from Joe and his staff, and the pub is regularly a friendly mix of locals and tourists, where you're highly likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger. The rear courtyard is a sun-trap in the summer, or there is plenty of comfy seating indoors, should the weather not be too good. The list of awards the pub has won includes CAMRA East Dorset Rural Pub of the Year 2024 and overall branch winner in 2019. Salcombe Belgica, St. Austell Proper Job, Fine Tuned Sunshine Reggae and Magic Melody, and Hattie Browns HBA were on the bar for one of my visits.
20 | Pints of View Summer 2026