After a year when pubs have spent more time closed than open, there is no better time to visit our pubs and show them support. There are 371 pubs in Dorset which all have something to offer and are worthy of a visit and your support. Our pubs trail is simply a way to help you to find some of the best beer, and our best pubs, as previously voted for by CAMRA members who live in or have visited Dorset. We have developed seven pub trails.
You will find here 8 maps. One includes all the pubs that meet our criteria for inclusion: that is that they have appeared in the Good Beer Guide at least once in the last ten years. Also on this map we have marked the breweries and cider producers. Some sadly cannot accept visitors, others are doing takeaways only, it is worth checking these prior to visiting.
We cannot include every pub, if you would like to explore a wider range of pubs then these can be found on Whatpub .So the pubs showcased are those that have appeared in at least one edition of the Good Beer Guide between 2010 and 2021. Over the years there have been 400+ pubs eligible for entry in to the Good Beer Guide. Those selected are those voted on by CAMRA members using the beer scoring system linked to from Whatpub.
Our trails cover Boscombe to Christchurch, including Southbourne; Bournemouth; Corfe Castle, Corfe Castle to Swanage & Wool to Lulworth; Parkstone, Branksome and Westbourne; Poole, Wareham; and Wimborne. The trails also include pubs which are on the trail and are doing something interesting in terms of offering cask or craft keg ale.
We hope you enjoy following the trail, that they give you some ideas for a day or evening out. Enjoy!
Maps of areas
Click to view map
Using the Ale Trails is really easy. We have 7 separate trails based on local geographical areas, plus a mega map that has everything all on one map!.
Browse the different trails below then either click on the name or image next to the one that interests you.
The pubs included on our trails are shown as red icons on the maps. Please click on the pub icon for more details about the selected pub. Other pubs which we suggest you might like to try are blue icons.
Some pubs also have limited space and so while our trails have some pubs reasonably close together it may be necessary to book a table and plan in advance. Also their opening time may vary so it is worth contacting them (by telephone, via social media, etc.) and plan your trail more than would normally be the case. This is particularly the case if you are going to go on a trail as part of a group of 6. Do please remember that the rules have been imposed on the pubs as much as they have on us the drinkers, if a pub cannot allow you entry it is not their fault it is simply because they cannot accommodate you safely or in accordance with the current government rules.