The Blacksmith Arms — Restaurant in England

Dog friendly village pub. Attractive pillars at the entrance, but frontage is a bit shabby with tatty, peeling paint. Hanging baskets on the empty, forlorn brackets would be more inviting for kerb appeal. But the inside belies the elevation, as it is fairly smart decor and a very clean pub. Lots of big sports screens, with accompanying load bouts of effing and jeffing, which were both off-putting. Darts and pool table. Car park. Large beer garden to rear. One of the ladies loos had no lock. Has an interesting feature sundial on the side elevation, dating from 1822, though it is somewhat swamped and dwarfed by the large Sky sports banners. Handpulled cask beers were Courage Best and Ringwood Brewery Boon Doggle, the latter was...

Solid village pub with proper feel. If you want somewhere welcoming, no pretension, and good for a drink + watching football — this is it. The Blacksmith Arms nails the basics: well-kept real ales, enough screens to catch the big games, and a friendly bar team.

The beer garden is a bonus (especially when it’s sunny), and they make you feel comfortable whether you’re in for one or staying all evening. Could brighten some corners and maybe speed up service on busy nights — but for what it is, it hits well.

Would definitely...

The Blacksmiths Arms is a nice cosy traditional village pub. A large single room with a pool table and TV. There is a good choice of beers, lager, and cider, including two hand pulled cask conditioned real ales, which were in excellent condition when i visited. Friendly welcoming staff and the pub...