A Pub in Dorset- I think?

[Ian_Rob]

About 30 years ago we went to a very rural, very old pub in Dorset that had an open fireplace and stone surround, caked in black tar. I guess the place was at least 250 years old and very spartan with bare, white painted walls. I seem to remember that the building was small, cottage-like and close to the road rather than set back and that the fireplace was to the immediate left of the entrance door. A long shot but any suggestions as to where it might be?

 

[RobbieW]

The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers ?

 

[Ian_Rob]

The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers ?

No, that’s not it but it looks like one to visit. Thank you.

 

[Rustyknight]

If it was this one between Cerne Abbas and Charminster (near Dorchester) it's been closed for quite a few years. I'd never been in there to know what the layout was though.

Smiths Arms

 

[KeithMD]

About 30 years ago we went to a very rural, very old pub in Dorset that had an open fireplace and stone surround, caked in black tar. I guess the place was at least 250 years old and very spartan with bare, white painted walls. I seem to remember that the building was small, cottage-like and close to the road rather than set back and that the fireplace was to the immediate left of the entrance door. A long shot but any suggestions as to where it might be?

Any geographic clues? Like rivers, railways, hills, etc?

 

[Ian_Rob]

It is long tim

Any geographic clues? Like rivers, railways, hills, etc?

I am not sure I can give much more detail . I think it was less set back from the road than the Smith’s Arms and rather isolated. It was in a very rural lane with hedges and grass verges. I don‘t seem to remember any buildings to the sides nor any nearby . If I had to guess I would say that we were in west Dorset heading west and that the building was on the left hand side of the road at or close to a right hand bend or 3 way junction. What sticks in my mind most was the stone fireplace and adjacent walls that were dribbling with tar. It was as though the room had been used as a smoke house at some time.

PS I seem to remember a road sign so it must have been a junction rather than just a bend and a place name on the sign beginning with a ‘C’….???