The Best Restaurants in Buckland Newton, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

Oh my! ♥ What a magical experience visiting The Clockspire was. Where do I begin to describe the care and detail oozing from both the staff and the food, it truly is clear to see, even the toilet hand towels were folded beautifully! We decided to opt for an expensive treat due to a special birthday, but the restaurant also offers a very affordable day menu, so I would recommend for both a stunning meal out and for celebrating occasions.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable and delicious dining experience at the Clockspire Restaurant this evening. Food was excellent along with the service. The old school building has been beautifully restored and creates a delightful surrounding and atmosphere, complimenting the whole experience. This has just become my favorite restaurant. We shall return.

Overall is good, the quality it's top as the price and service. Lovely place with good atmosphere. If you're on rush, don't go, take your time and enjoy the food.

Fantastic food! Really delicious. We will definitely return on our next trip to the area. The staff are lovely and welcoming, and we felt at ease for the whole visit.

Cracking little village pub, we popped in for a few drinks with friends and had a great time, we sat in the garden in the sun and it was extremely pleasant. Will be going back for some food in the future.

A group of us are lunch at the white horse yesterday, the food is exquisite, there were 7 of us and every plate we were served was exceptionally presented and tasted amazing!!!! We will be back, what a memorable time. Thankyou so much. The village this pub is situated in is idyllic, like a fairy tale.

We stopped in while visiting from America. I would consider the White House to be an upscale pub. The ambience is great! Lots of stone and heavy wooden beams. There were lots of locals there when we were there which is always a good sign. The staff was wonderful! The food was truly excellent! Every starter and entree was done to perfection! If we lived in the area we would be here often!

Wonderful birthday dinner. Lamb Scrumpit, Tuna Carpaccio, Pork Belly, Dorset Crab Linguine, Tiramisu (a little heavy for my preference, but still delicious) and Cheese and crackers. We’ll be back!

This place is remarkable. I honestly feel like I have to leave a review because I had a private room booking for party of 7 (engagement celebration). The team took care of us extremely well and I want to give special honour to our hostess Verity, so sweet, so patient, clear in her communication- 5 stars for her. The food was gorgeous and pretty affordable in my opinion . Some portions were small but I understand that it is more on fine dining side. The only critique I would give is about some cleaning aspects in which the rooms had like old cobwebs, spider webs on the windows, just could use a deep clean.

Incredible food. Went for my birthday and the food was absolutely amazing!! Best steak we’ve had and the portions were generous! Staff were extremely polite and friendly, we cant wait to go back !!

Visited by chance on a wet Wednesday and so glad we chose Al Molo. Restaurant was busy but staff were excellent, very friendly and attentive and despite being rush off their feet always available when needed. Food was fabulous and when we visit Dorchester again will definitely be back.

Beautiful food had 3 courses and all were beautiful, service was well paced and not fast so you get to enjoy the dishes . Steak was more than an 8oz fillet and my wife’s seafood linguine was in her words divine. Waiters were lovely and honoured to meet one of the chefs . Thank you

A perfect place to stay and visit the beautiful Cerne valley and the surrounding area. we loved the very comfortable beds big fluffy duvets and perfect pillows. Great bar and restaurant amazing breakfast with a wide choice of dishes. Annette and Julian with their team deliver fantastic service. Highly recommend.

We spent 2 nights here when visiting Cerne Abbas. We were upgraded when we arrived which was a pleasant surprise. All of the staff were very friendly and accommodating. We did have a meal in the restaurant which was nice, but a bit too "fancy" for what we were looking for. All in all a great experience and would love to visit again! thank you!

My husband and I were on holiday in Cerne Abbas and came across this very special place on our first day walk. What a wonderful find, we were warmly received by Annette and Julian, who showed a great interest in us and where we had come from and checking out where we may visit while in Dorset. We loved this place so much we visited 4 times for evening drinks and meals. The recommendations for local beers, wine and Gin were excellent. They were always interested on our daily adventures. We can honestly say the place had a wonderful vibe with pleasant background music not to loud, and listening to the local banter was heart- warming. Also lovely to see all dog visitors getting doggy treats from the owners. Always served with a smile The food was absolutely delicious, they have a very talented chef, the presentation and food portions were spot on and there was no waste from us ! Thank you for a marvellous time at The new Inn and we will be back again soon and will definitely book a stay as well . If we could give you 6 stars we would

We stayed here one night in early July ( visiting from Australia but born in Dorset).. A lovely atmospheric room with modern bathroom. We opted for dinner in the restaurant and had probably the best sunday roast we have ever had , roast beef done just right with yorkshire pud my mother would be proud of - high praise indeed! Accompanied by a range of vegetables that were great but almost too many to finish. Ditto for Breakfast the following day . Staff ( owners? ) took great pride in this establishment and delightful to boot. So thoroughly recommend the New Inn. .

Lovely village pub with excellent food and service.

We had a delightful dinner here whilst on holiday in Dorset. The fish and chips were especially outstanding - the batter was crispy throughout and good chips. The steak and ale pie was packed full of super tender meat with a well seasoned gravy, with lovely mash and veg. Sirloin steak cooked to perfection with a lovely fresh side salad and delicious peppercorn sauce (the onion rings were especially delish also!) Desserts were excellent also, and plenty of treats on hand for our dog. Highly recommend this gem of a village pub!

This is our local so we may be biased, but it has had its ups and downs over the 20 years we've lived in the village. This incarnation is the absolute best so far. Lovely atmosphere, great pub food, and really great landlord and chef. Well done guys.

Dinner at the Chalk and Cheese far exceeded my expectations. The food was excellent quality, with an attention to detail way beyond the modest price. The mackerel pate in particular was superb. Saxon was rightly proud of what he’s creating at the pub and there was a lovely atmosphere.

A really lovely pub in a beautiful village. Friendly, helpful staff, a sweet courtyard garden, plenty of seats inside and out, clean toilets. The food was good (especially the chips) but the best thing was the Chocolate Frozen Dream dessert. Definitely a pub we'll return to.

Really friendly welcome from all the staff. We didn't stay here, just a quick visit as we were in a shepherds hut down the road. Nice village pub with a lovely friendly feeling. The beer garden was good and the feedback from lunchtime was positive from all the customers. Definitely worth a visit.

Just had lunch at the Brewers Arms , fantastic food, brilliant Landlord and friendly staff , the best pub I’ve been in for years. I’ll definitely visit again when next in the area .

Came in on the off chance, staff were very warm and welcoming, food was delicious and good value for money, My husband loved the homemade tartar sauce. Did use the facilities the toilet clean and fresh. Will definitely pop in again whenever we are in Cerne abbas. The place was bright and light and spacious

Absolutely delicious Sunday lunch. The vegetarian options were just as good as the meat roast options. Treacle tart pudding was wonderful. So glad we stumbled upon this little gem!

We booked to go for Sunday lunch. The food was delicious and hot. Vegetables cooked to perfection. Cosy setting and quiet atmosphere even though fairly busy which we like. Staff friendly and attentive. Recommend.

We visited on a weekday. We chose this pub over others in the village because of the reviews and because the food looked good value. There was one bartender on quite a busy lunchtime. She was good humored and efficient, taking drink and food orders, and delivering the food to the tables. We ordered our food and took drinks out to the garden at the back. Our food soon arrived despite being warned it might be a time. Simple fare, but generous portions. I ordered ham, egg and chips. The ham was delicious, three thick slices cut from a ham leg. Not the normal plastic ham in a prepacked plastic container. My partner had Nachos with a vegetarian chili. She enjoyed it. After lunch we walked around the village and came back for another pint before leaving on the bus. Good collection of beers including a local beer brewed in the village The pub has music events as well.

A stellar experience. Lovely service from the team, who clearly are passionate about what they do. The steak I had was maybe the best I have ever been served - a lovely cut and cooked perfectly. Just a great experience.

Really well looked after when they were busy with a birthday tea party. Delicious cream tea in a beautiful garden. Excellent staff. Made really welcome. Looks a pleasant place to stay too.

A lovely place which such an amazing team! We were well looked after celebrating our first wedding anniversary and the crispy lionsmane mushroom dish at the restaurant was one of the best I have ever had! We had the most perfect stay.

Went for a Mexican and half price cocktails on a Wednesday evening. Mexican is cooked in a van in the car park, but served in the bar/conservatory - excellent food (real cutlery but takeaway boxes).

Pub dinner- Just returned from the new inn pub. First visit, but not our last for sure. 3 x diners all left very pleased with the venue, great staff, and excellent menu. We had Angus burger and lamb burger, and we all enjoyed them. Very tasty and filling. Thank you.

We didn't stay at the New Inn, but we did have a large family Christmas lunch. The food was delicious; the service was fun, attentive, and professional. The atmosphere was lovely. Everyone has commented on how special the afternoon was and will return. I've already recommended The New Inn to folks and will continue to do so. If you get the chance to visit, GO!

We went for lunch as a party of 6. We had pre booked because it was the Christmas season. We were greeted by a very friendly member of the team. Shown to our table,allowed to settle, then had our drinks order taken and then shortly after that we had our meal order's taken by another charming team member. We didn't have to wait very long until all of our food was brought to the table. We had a gluten free option, a vegetarian option and 4 meals and starters off the Special menu. Every meal was beautifully cooked and presented. We had a really lovely time and will definitely be returning in the near future.

Only ate, didn’t stay. A fantastic location in a lovely village. There were 15 of us; the food was outstanding, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely be eating at The New Inn again.

Amazing food, we went for the Sunday carvery and there was a good choice of meats , plenty of vegetables and condiments including crackling for the pork. The staff were very friendly and helpful . Parking was easy, very family friendly will definitely be visiting again!

Lovely food and service. But if you eat in the big room it feels a bit like a canteen of refectory. There is a smaller room the other end which is nicer. Otherwise excellent.

Great location, good beer, really nice coffee with excellent service and reasonable prices, didn't try the food. Camping space behind, ideal for events.

Our visits to The Halsey Arms in Pulham are always nothing short of exceptional! We are delighted by the fantastic carvery, kid-friendly atmosphere, and the wonderful beer garden. This hidden gem, just a short 14-minute drive from The Victorian Barn, is wonderful. The carvery at The Halsey Arms is a culinary delight. The selection of succulent meats, accompanied by a wide array of delectable vegetables and flavourful gravy, makes for a truly satisfying meal. The attention to detail in every dish is evident, and the flavours are simply outstanding. What sets The Halsey Arms apart is its warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for families with children. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that our little ones feel comfortable. One of the highlights of The Halsey Arms is its picturesque beer garden. The beautifully maintained outdoor space provides a relaxing setting to enjoy meals while soaking up the lovely surroundings. It is the ideal spot to unwind, sip on a refreshing drink, and enjoy the company of family and friends. The close proximity of The Halsey Arms to The Victorian Barn, just a short 14-minute drive away, makes it a must-visit destination for guests staying at the barn. Whether you're looking for a delicious carvery or a family-friendly atmosphere, The Halsey Arms offers the perfect combination. In conclusion, we wholeheartedly recommend The Halsey Arms for an outstanding dining experience. From the mouthwatering carvery and kid-friendly atmosphere to the charming beer garden, every aspect of your visit will be superb. Take a short drive from The Victorian Barn to The Halsey Arms and treat yourself to a memorable meal that will leave you wanting to come back for more.