NATIONAL Pubs Week is upon us and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the best pubs and clubs in each town and city.

The East Dorset branch of CAMRA has unveiled the top 10 pubs in the BCP area.

The Saxon Bar in Christchurch is the current reigning ‘Cider Pub of the Year’ champion by the organisation.

Chairman of East Dorset CAMRA John Chambers said: “CAMRA members judge pubs based on the consistent quality of the real ale and cider sold over a period of time.

“The pub should provide a comfortable, pleasant and safe environment throughout. The pub and glasses should be clean. Toilets should be hygienic and clean. The service should be welcoming, friendly, polite and also prompt whenever possible.

“In other words, you should be treated like a valued customer and made to feel at ease.”

Bournemouth Echo: The Barking Cat Ale HouseThe Barking Cat Ale House

Here are the top 10 pubs in our area:

  • Bermuda Triangle, Lower Parkstone
  • Barking Cat Alehouse, Parkstone
  • Acorn, Kinson
  • Micro Moose, Winton
  • Brewhouse, Poole,
  • Rope and Anchor, Poole
  • Firkin Shed, Springbourne
  • Silverback Alehouse, Winton
  • All Hail Ale, Westbourne
  • Poole Arms, Poole

Daniel Jesson-Keer, landlord at The Rope and Anchor, said: “This is a great achievement and I am extremely pleased and honoured for The Rope and Anchor to be named in the top 10.

“Lots of work goes into this to be able to provide our customers with quality cask ale and it’s fantastic to see that we have been recognised for this.”

Emma Hinchcliffe of All Hail Ale said: “We are truly honoured to be voted in the top 10 pubs across BCP.

“The news has come as a surprise to us and we are delighted to hear this. Thank you to our wonderful customers who voted for us.”

Mark Ambrose, landlord at The Barking Cat Alehouse in Parkstone, described the award as “fantastic news”, adding: “Being a small independent family run pub, recognition for the huge amount of effort we put into place is always a huge bonus.”

He added: “Pubs have been through a desperately tough couple of years, so it’s great to have some normality back.

Bournemouth Echo: Mark Ambrose landlord at The Barking Cat Ale HouseMark Ambrose landlord at The Barking Cat Ale House

“We can get very busy, and although we deter people from going table to table, we have removed most of the Covid restrictions.

"We still ask people to sanitise their hands when coming in, but our regulars are used to this now and feel very comfortable in the pub.”

Michael Ambrose added: “We’re glad that our efforts have been recognised in the industry, especially since Covid when so many of us have been hit so hard.

"It has been a family effort and we are so proud of what we have achieved since the industry reopened.”

Is your favourite pub not on the list? Give it a shout-out in the comments.