With its idyllic village setting, honey-hued stone and thatched roof, this 15th-century inn could have been taken straight from the front of a postcard. The chocolate-box picture doesn’t change when you go inside, as fresh flowers, beams and a roaring fire wait to greet you – along with a smiling team behind the bar, of course. A concise seasonal menu is chalked up on the blackboard and may feature such rustic, flavour-forward dishes as turbot with smoked bacon and wild mushrooms. Pair the hearty food with a local beer or well-priced wine.

1.7km

The Seaside Boarding House

Traditional British

££

With its stunning clifftop location and menu packed full of delicious seafood, this bright and airy restaurant really makes the most of its seaside setting. It's housed within a long-standing yet fresh-looking hotel, while the restaurant itself sports a subtle maritime theme and retro touches – on a warm day, head straight for the terrace, with its spectacular views over the Jurassic Coast. While the menu is varied, it's hard to overlook the prime fish and shellfish, with dishes such as whole roasted brill spotlighting the quality of the ingredients.

5.4km

Parnham Restaurant

Modern British

£££

Few restaurants come with as delightful a setting as this. You arrive via a slow drive through the majestic tree-lined Parnham Park estate, culminating at a wonderful walled garden filled with impressive objets d’art. Take your seat in either the rustic-chic dining room in full view of the open kitchen, or in the glasshouse behind with its glorious garden views. Seasonality is the name of the game in the natural, flavour-forward dishes, from the ‘Parnham Pintxos’ snacks to foraged mushrooms with Jerusalem artichokes and Cornish gouda.

7.4km

Brassica Restaurant

Mediterranean Cuisine

££

A pretty 16th-century house plays host to this sweetly run restaurant, situated in a prime spot overlooking the small square of this characterful Dorset town. Inside, the bright, colourful décor adds to the endearing feel, with its countryside shabby-chic style. The concise, Mediterranean-inflected menu moves with the seasons to show off excellent produce, delivered with a palpable simplicity and textbook technique by the confident kitchen team. If you want to go all-in on the Brassica brand, visit their homewares store, Brassica Mercantile, across the road.

8.0km

Click a row to locate it · distances are approximate. Data from Overture / Michelin / Wikidata.

8 Biddlecombe Orchard

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Cottage

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