The Old Ship Inn

Thomas Hardy refers to this 400-year-old pub in his novel Under the Greenwood Tree, and copper pans, old clocks and a beamed open fire create a true period atmosphere. Expect a good selection of real ales of tap, perhaps Dorset Jurassic, Otter and Sharp's Doom Bar, with Addlestones cloudy cider as an alternative. A frequently changing menu of good home-cooked pub food offers smoked haddock fishcake with tartare sauce, slow-braised ham hock with winter vegetable broth, alongside classics like toad-in-the-hole; and ale battered fish and chips. On sunny days bag a bench in the garden and enjoy the views across Weymouth.