SET in the heart of the Dorset countryside, the award-winning Langton Arms has long held a reputation for fine dining, great pub grub and outstanding real ales.

The 17th-century thatched inn at Tarrant Monkton, near Blandford, is usually packed for lunch and dinner, so it’s advisable to book ahead.

However, we took a chance on a rainy Saturday afternoon and arrived unannounced. Fingers crossed a table in either The Farmers Bar or The Carpenters Bar would be free.

We were in luck.

The Farmers Bar has plenty of tables and a small bar boasting a number of local ales. We were escorted to the last empty table at the far end and quickly offered drinks and made to feel welcome.

I ordered a pint of the guest ale and a glass of merlot for my girlfriend, which the barman happily brought to our table with a smile. A few sips and we soon melted into our surroundings.

The low beams and the atmospheric black and white farm photographs adorning the walls underpinned the rustic feel of the place.

The Langton Arms prides itself on ensuring local country fare is the backbone of its home-made cooking. There’s even a Langton Arm Butchery, which on our visit was offering a variety of homemade sausages, beef burgers and 21-day matured stewing steak... all reasonably priced.

The a la carte and traditional menus are available in both bars, so we opted for a breaded brie starter and the crispy beef. As we readied ourselves for our appetisers to arrive, the waiter brought out some delicious home-made bread and an amuse-bouche of spicy vegetable soup – a nice touch, and the soup was just what you needed on a wet weekend afternoon.

For my main I opted for a 10oz rump steak, while my girlfriend decided on the home-made beef burger. Both came with handmade chips which had a double-fried taste of perfection. You’d struggle to sample better chips than this.

The home-made burger was eaten with the same enthusiasm. My medium steak came with a choice of sauces, and the green peppercorn turned out to be lovely. My only criticism, and it’s just a small one, is that the sauce came in the tiniest of jugs... come on lads, I’m a grown-up.

However, I’m in little doubt the attentive staff would have happily brought some more if I’d have asked.

All in all, this place is a gem. It would be hard to eat here and not feel it was money well spent. Worth every penny.

This is an independent review by a reporter without the cooperation of the establishment.

My Langton Arms bill

  • Pint of guest ale £3.55
  • 125ml glass of merlot  £2
  • Crispy beef starter £6.95
  • Breaded brie starter  £6.95
  • Homemade beef burger  £10.95
  • 10oz rump steak with green peppercorn sauce      £17.95
  • TOTAL:   £48.35

The Ratings Board

  • Location ****
  • Atmosphere ****
  • Value for Money ****
  • Quality of Food ****
  • Service *****
  • Comfort *****
  • Family Friendly ****
  • Menu Choice ****

Overall ****