A 17th century coaching inn set in the heart of the countryside- The Weld Arms is Pub of the Week.

Located in East Lulworth, The Weld Arms is an historic thatched pub boasting a ‘family friendly, welcoming and pleasantly relaxed environment.’

The pub was originally a row of cottages built in the 1700's by the Weld family, but it became an inn in the early 1800’s and a particularly popular stop for smugglers.

Years on, it runs under the management of Lulworth Estate, and remains a well-known and loved pub in the village.

Manager Nigel Evans said: “We've got a lot of locals from the village and a lot of regular trade coming back in. We’ve got the army camp up the road too, and the officers come in and see us.”

Bournemouth Echo: The Weld Arms. Photo sent by Nigel EvansThe Weld Arms. Photo sent by Nigel Evans

What continues to draw in visitors is a ‘package of things’, according to Nigel. He said: “It’s the décor and the inside, and also the locally sourced food.

“We’re part of Lulworth estate so we use as much as we can from the estate itself, so salads and vegetables from the gardens. We’re sustainable in that way.

“We have the venison burger which comes from the estate as well.”

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The message of sustainability is clear throughout the pub’s website too. It reads: “The Lulworth Estate is our home in Dorset and we are committed to sustainability and exploring everything it has to offer through the creativity and innovation of our chefs.”

As well as locally produced food, diners at The Weld Arms can also expect variety, with Nigel describing the dishes as ‘classic but quirky’.

Bournemouth Echo: Food at The Weld Arms. Photo sent by Nigel EvansFood at The Weld Arms. Photo sent by Nigel Evans

Visitors can also enjoy an ever-changing specials board, and the new pizza oven which opened earlier this month.

Nigel said: “We’ve just put a new stretch tent and a new patio area with a pizza oven so we’re doing artisan woodfired pizzas. We had an opening event and that went really well.

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“It’s good even on days where it’s a bit windy as we have the stretch tent which covers the area.”

The Weld Arms is located at East Lulworth, Wareham, BH20 5QQ. For more information visit https://www.theweldarms.co.uk/