The Best Restaurants in Holwell, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

What a charming pub! I was there last night with a group of friends for our regular get together. Crop Circle beer delicious, food superb and the staff were absolutely lovely. What a tremendous bunch and all in an idyllic spot/village. Highly recommend to one and all!

Lovely pub. Comfortable room with nice bathroom and powerful shower. Wonderful breakfast, freshly cooked to order. We didn't eat other meals here but will if we stay again. Will definitely book again if we visit this area in the future

Amazing atmosphere. Really friendly staff. Lovely area and great garden. Fireworks were amazing too.

Good old traditional English pub. Good hearty food. Cosy & welcoming. Just what I want when I visit the country side. One of those pubs you can just rock up to without having to be suited & booted. Wellies welcome. Glad the new owners didn't turn it into an expensive posh nosh Queens Arms.

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.

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.

Really nice experience. The decor inside was very appealing and comfortable. Went for the 3 course set menu and the food was very well presented and had a lot of flavour. Waiters/waitresses polite and attentive. Will recommend to friends/family.

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.

Decent lunch. I would have preferred a bit less of the “brulee” and a bit more crab meat, maybe with a bit of a citrus twist. We saved our bread and butter that came out at the start as it does need that. The meat (chicken and duck) were good quality but maybe lacked a bit of seasoning. Fries were tasty.

What a lovely surprise 30th meal for my partners birthday. Gabriela is such an amazing host, couldn’t thank her enough for all her help with organising. The food was outstanding! I had the goats cheese mousse to start and it’s the best starter I’ve ever had! Have been before and will definitely return. Great value for money and lovely/friendly staff. 10/10

Fantastic meal - everything delicious but the highlights were a goats cheddar mousse, lamb with Jerusalem artichokes and a beetroot sticky toffee pudding. Lovely vibe - busy but you can hear each other speak, great art on the walls and friendly service. Wish I lived nearer for this to be my local!

I came across this restaurant by chance when in Sherborne. The food was absolutely delicious. I had a starter and main dish. The duck was superb - so tasty and delicious. The service was really good too. I will come back again with my husband next time. I haven't tasted such delicious food in a long time. 😊

We really enjoyed our visit here while we were in the area. We loved the roast dinner it was delicious and I loved the landlords very eccentric style. Good ale too!

Lovely meal for two and they let us stay overnight in our camper an, definitely coming back!

We had a family Christmas gathering and we used the skittle alley. The landlady was so lovely. The pub is absolutely gorgeous and felt cosy and inviting. The hosts catered for us, providing a buffet and everyone had a wonderful evening. Thank you so much, we will be definitely visiting again throughout the year.

The landlord is 1st class, and the atmosphere was excellent 👏 👌

Amazing food and great service. Was truly a flavoursome experience. Went with some close friends and we all were blown away by the cuisine that was offered here.

The best Italian food I’ve had in the UK - it’s tasty and authentic. So many options to choose from on the menu. Most of the staff are nice and happy to share their knowledge about the food. The kitchen closes at 9pm, not 11pm.

I took a party of 26 to the Sherborne restaurant and was throughly pleased with the evening. Staff made us very welcome and were attentive during service. The food was great and the feedback from my party was positive. I'd recommend Tamburino Sherborne for a good night out.

Absolutely superb food- starter, main and dessert.

Lovely place with amazing food options, especially for meat eaters, veggies and vegans! would recommend to all :)

The food here is really delicious. I had a “porky burger” which was one of the best burgers I’ve had. The inside is very small with not a lot of seating but they do take away. Unique place in Sherborne but slightly on the pricier side - I think the quality of the food was worth it

Loved our burgers but not the overpriced coke zero instead of diet coke! I ordered. Great food. Be quick if you want a seat!! Will definitely be back to try some others!

Lovely Atmosphere, the Food was delicious at very reasonable prices and the Bar Staff and Landlady very pleasant. And exceptionally Dog Friendly. Well worth leaving our village and travelling a few miles.

We had Sunday lunch here last month. This is a lovely pub, great lunch and most of all great service. Made our Sunday and fully recommended.

I often stop off here on a Friday after work, The staff are lovely, the beer is fab. I've yet to try the food but plan on coming back with family. Well worth giving it a go. Just a few mins off the A 37.

Stopped off for a cold refreshing cider was lovley and very tastefully decorated to a high standard food looks amazing too would definitely recommend 👌

Had a Christmas meal here this afternoon. The best Christmas meal I've had. Turkey was super tasty. The vegetables were beautifully cooked. Tasty gravy. Super service , all the meals were piping hot. Thank you very much , will be recommending to all my friends.

The Cross Keys ALWAYS delivers the best service, best quality food and superb live music. We had a fabulous stay (as always). Thanks to Mo and his team for such a wonderful experience.

Fantastic staff, food and atmosphere. My father is an elderly man who came to eat here on his own one evening. The staff looked after him wonderfully well. Big thank you to you all.

We had an incredible experience at the Cross Keys. Mo and his team hosted my Father's funeral wake yesterday. The whole experience was incredible - made so special by Mo, Lucy, David and the girls. Nothing was too much trouble, and we felt completely wrapped up in their arms from the moment we walked through the door to make the arrangements, right through to the day itself. I cannot thank the team enough for creating such a special celebration, which you planned so incredibly well. The delicious food platters were superb, and all the guests said what a beautiful venue it was. I was personally nurtured throughout the whole day, with Mo and Lucy checking in with me to make sure everything was perfect - and even David coming in on his day off to make sure my Dad's favourite music was being played. I can't thank them all enough from the bottom of my heart for all their kindness. We stayed in their family suite for the night. Our room was superb, with the biggest bed I've ever slept in, and beautiful views out onto the market square and the Conduit. I can thoroughly recommend a stay at the Cross Keys - the service is exceptional, the rooms amazing, and the breakfast was superb. We also had our evening meal in the restaurant, and it was exceptional. THANK YOU TO THE WHOLE TEAM AT THE CROSS KEYS - YOU ARE ALL AMAZING.

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.

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

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.

An incredible meal at the plume! We were turned away from another restaurant despite having a reservation, but when we came to the Plume they were happy to help and sat us promptly. The meal was absolutely delicious and filled us up nicely. We had 6 dishes between 4 adults and were stuffed! The service was great and the atmosphere was so lovely.

Absolutely gorgeous pub situated centrally in the lovely historic town of Sherborne in Dorset. The staff were so friendly and helpful. We stayed in The Hayloft for one night, like a lovely mini apartment overlooking the courtyard of the pub. Super comfy bed, great little bathroom and really lovely breakfast in the morning.

What a surprise treat! I visited this restaurant with family when staying in the area for a weekend away, and what a gorgeous find this was! Situated right in the heart of Sherborne (which is a charming town to visit regardless) this restaurant was just fabulous. The menu was fab, tapas dishes inspired by Italy but using West Country produce - what's not to love! Staff were friendly and accommodating, the drinks selection was vast and impressive and the food quality was truly 10/10. Would definitely be back if I lived closer! This place gets very busy over weekend so definitely book in advance, and also would recommend arriving for an earlier sitting rather than later before it gets too busy.

Small plates, order at least 3 each and share, great selection and good quality. Dog friendly every where in the restaurant. I found it a bit complicated, it's a bit like Spanish Tapas and our total bill was around £70 it soon mounts up.