Many of the surrounding West Dorset villages have excellent pubs, some of them award-winning. As well as the village pubs we have a wealth of places for serious "foodies", ranging from the winner of "Coast" magazine's 2009 best seaside cafe/ restaurant to the new Mat Follas (winner of Master Chef) restaurant in Beaminster.

Booking in season is advisable, and ordering after 9p.m. can be difficult.

The Crown Uploders 01308 485356 Good, varied menu; popular village pub in charming location with excellent service and reasonable prices. Booking is often essential.

The Marquis Of Lorne, Nettlecombe 01308 485236 Good with children. Very friendly, relaxed atmosphere; Good value; Marvellous setting in tiny hamlet below Eggardon Hill. NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT*

The Three Horseshoes Powerstock 01308 485328 Lovely village setting.

A short drive east from Beaminster, we strongly recommend
The Fox at Corscombe, Dorset Pub 2000. Like us they were selected by 'Country Living' Magazine for inclusion in their first booklet of 40 favourite pubs and B&Bs. 01935 891330

The Beach and Barnicott, Bridport, 01308 455688, nominated " Best Restaurant in Dorset" Dorset Magazine awards 2006. Georgian listed building serving on three floors in heart of town, with amazing ambience and wonderful food. We love it! Tapas every Thursday.

The well-known Riverside Restaurant at West Bay (booking essential) Speciality: fish. Nothing to look at from the outside, but highly regarded. 01308 422011

Recently The Greyhound at Sydling St. Nicholas has acquired an excellent reputation, especially for fish. 01308 431 303

The Hive(01308 497070) a café on the National Trust beach at
Burton Bradstock, excellent sea-food soup, crab sandwiches, good snacks. Very popular so queues and waiting time can be a problem. Winner of Coast's 2009 best seaside cafe/ restaurant

Down House, Higher Eype enchanting garden cafe in National Trust property close to spectacular coastal path with warmly welcoming hosts and delicious, unusual home-cooked food. Closed in winter

Saw Mill Cafe at Mapperton Manor. Old stone barn in magical setting, serves lunches and teas daily in season.. 01308 862645 Snacks and lunches only, mid March - September, incl., closed Saturdays.

The Sienna, Michelin listed, 3 AA rosettes, 01305 250022 Expensive

The Rajpoot is an excellent Indian restaurant. 01305 257492

Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden has a restaurant that serves light luches and teas and there are a number of places to eat in the village, 01305 8711387/ 871153

Also in Abbotsbury, The Abbey House has a gorgeous garden with idyllic views: perfect for a snack lunch or cream tea 01305 871 330

In Beaminster Guests have recommended The Bridge Hotel
01308 862200

Master-chef winner Mat Follas has recently opened The Wild Garlic in the centre of Beaminster. Should be good!! 01308 861446

Hix Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis 01297 446910 Guests tell us it is excellent and the setting by the gardens above the town is wonderful Closed Mondays

Chinese food We are not great fans & have had no feed-back, so we cannot vouch for the quality, but the following might be worth trying:

Chinese Palace Bridport 01308 427505

Imperial Garden Dorchester 01305 257471

Lee Palace Dorchester 01305 268368

Teashops in Lyme Regis, Beaminster and Cerne Abbas seem popular; Kingcombe serves excellent cream teas at weekends in summer