IF you are looking for good, hearty food in a rustic, country setting, then The New Inn, a part-thatched, stone built, 16th-century village pub in the Purbeck hills near Corfe Castle, is definitely worth a visit.

Still in place are the old inglenook fireplaces and a brick alcove that used to be the kitchen oven from its days as a farmhouse. Real ales include Jurassic and there are draught ciders too.

It's been run by the same family for the past 30 years and nothing is too much trouble for Maurice and his team. You can camp in the back field if it's not too wet. On this occasion, we were allowed to pitch in the beer garden because the field was flooded.

We managed to reserve a table for six by the open log fire and ordered a few pints of the Jurassic Ale which was smooth and light while we checked out the menu.

This place prides itself on serving fresh home-cooked food including catch of the day, roasts, traditional pies, steaks, fish, sandwiches and home-made desserts. The Purbeck Lounge is tailor-made for family dining.

For starters I was tempted to try what is describe as the inn's Famous Dorset Blue Vinny Soup, but I felt in need of something more substantial as were going to be camping, so I opted for the Breaded Somerset Brie.

This was a good choice as it was a good wedge, perfectly cooked, oozing with molten cheese and served with cranberry sauce, a wild rocket and grape salad (the grapes looked a few days past their best though), a honey pot and celery stick.

For mains I ordered the Steak and Jurassic Ale Pie from the British favourites section which comes with the option of Blue Vinny cheese which was I was advised was worth the extra 45p.

The pie was served with a light, puff pastry topping and underneath there was plenty of tender meat in a rich gravy with just a hint of the blue cheese.

Accompanying the pie was an artistic squiggle of creamy mashed potato and a mound of market vegetables - including broad beans, runner beans and what looked like Chantenay carrots

For desserts I shared a chocolate brownie which was served warm with my favourite honeycomb and salted caramel ice cream which rounded off the meal a treat.

What I like about the place is that we were able to take our time over dinner and we even played cards a few rounds of cards.

Eventually we ventured back to our tents with full bellies and a wonderful sense of wellbeing - which probably had something to do with the Jurassic ale!

MY BILL

Somerset Brie £6.50

Jurassic Ale Pie £11.95

Chocolate brownie £6

1 pint of Jurassic Ale £3.50

TOTAL: £27.95