A STYLISH and contemporary venue doing their bit for charity - The Grasshopper is our Pub of the Week.

The Grasshopper is a Hall and Woodhouse-owned pub in Parkstone, once known as ‘The Half Way House Hotel’ because of its location halfway between Poole and Bournemouth.

A refurbishment in 2018 saw The Grasshopper introduce a particularly stylish interior featuring different seating areas including a dining room and common room to model a townhouse.

Artefacts from the old Hall & Woodhouse Brewery are displayed around the venue, including a fireplace made from the copper kettles which boiled the beer and walls constructed from barrel staves.

Bournemouth Echo:

James Wyer, who has worked as deputy general manager since February 2020, said: “I think the refurbishment was in the area of about £2.7million.

“It was about getting the house up to brand standards.

“It’s an incredible building.”

As well as a stunning interior, visitors can also enjoy cold drinks and delicious dishes in the pub’s beer garden.

Diners can choose from an extensive menu, featuring English classics as well as new and exciting kitchen creations.

James said: “The building and atmosphere is great, but the food is the cherry on top.”

A particularly popular choice is the steak and Tangle Foot pie with a shortcrust and puff pastry top, buttery mash, Badger Beer gravy and braised red cabbage, which is also the menu's ‘charity dish’.

James said: “Every sale we make of the Tangle Foot pie, a percentage of the takings goes to our chosen charity Dorset Mind.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The Grasshopper’s work for charity does not stop there. General manager Andy said: “We’re big on charity. We’re not just a pub. We do a lot for the community too.

“We’re actually sponsoring a touch rugby match in Sandbanks for a gentleman who is terminally ill. We’ve sponsored that with £100 vouchers.”

The Grasshopper’s connection with the community has seen it remain a popular spot in Poole. Andy added: “The locals still come. They’ve been coming for years. We know them all.

“The team has a bond with them.”

The pub also passes the dog friendly check- they even have a mini dog bar with treats and water to keep your four-legged friends happy.

You can find The Grasshopper at 139 -141 Bournemouth Rd, BH14 9HT.