This page contains reviews of pubs along the "Heart of Wessex" line, the largely rural train line between Bristol and Weymouth via Bath, Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome, Yeovil and Dorchester. Shortly before Wessex Trains lost their franchise to First Great Western, their "Rail Ale Trail" along this line provided the motivation to visit many of its nearby pubs. Some of the pubs I've visited are listed on this page in approximate north-south order. (Note that pubs in Bath, Bristol and nearby are listed separately.) Currently listed are pubs in:
| Brewery | ? |
| Address | Alfred Street |
| Rating | **** |
A large pub that serves several real ales and a range of very good food.
| Brewery | Free House |
| Address | Church Street |
| Rating | ***** |
An excellent pub, serving several hand-pulled beers in good condition. Very good home-made food is served at lunchtimes.
| Brewery | ? |
| Address | Dorchester Road |
| Rating | **** |
Nice pub selling well-kept Ringwood beers. The friendly landlord has a collection of vintage motorcycles outside and keeps an owl in a large cage at the back of the pub. The Good Beer Guide 2007 promises cages of rats and ferrets but these were not seen on last visit (14/07/2007).
| Brewery | Hop Back |
| Address | Park Street |
| Rating | **** |
A large pub serving a range of Hop Back beers, including several on draught and more in bottles. Unfortunately there is a television in the back bar.
| Brewery | ? |
| Address | King Street |
| Rating | * |
This pub is conveniently located opposite the railway station in an Art Deco-style building with a rounded front. It is advertised in the CAMRA's 2007 Good Beer Guide as having real ales, but all real ales were off when last visited (14/07/2007). The pub seems to be concentrating more on music than beer.
| Brewery | ? |
| Address | Hope Square |
| Rating | **** |
A pleasant pub, serving a wide range of food (including locally-caught seafood), and several hand-pulled ales.