Reviewed: The Crown Inn, Uploders, near Bridport
The Crown Inn, Uploders. Curious fact: A spinster once lived opposite The Crown whose hobby was hatching tortoise eggs in her bed. So says the excellent local historian Pat Hughes, anyway. Photo by Michel Hooper-Immins.
THERE is a feeling of intimacy on entering The Crown at Uploders. It’s a small cosy pub, with the short bar just in front as you come in the door and a restful restaurant. The hearty welcome from the landlord is sincere; all around are drinkers and diners having a good time.
I’m ever fond of Palmers real ales; at the Crown there is well-kept Copper and Best Bitter on handpump. The Best is robust and biscuty in character, a nice balance for the brewery’s most popular ale. When we get to a certain age, looking at old photographs becomes an interesting pastime and here they are all over the walls, chronicling the long history of Uploders.
It’s incredible how the same faces pop-up from time to time, so I was delighted to see the happy face of Colin Newton, a fine Dorset chef I met some years ago when he ran the Terrace Restaurant [now The Farmers’ Kitchen] at Washingpool Farm just outside Bridport.
So it was no surprise to see such an interesting menu chalked on the far wall. Smoked salmon and crab cakes sounded good, but it’s some time since I’ve had duck, so that was my decision – with morello cherry sauce. The landlord asked how I liked it cooked. I always like meat well done – with no blood visible! The duck was truly delicious, with a super sauce, melting in the mouth.
I like local produce being promoted and my eyes lit up on seeing the West Country cheeseboard, with my favourite Dorset Blue Vinny, plus Goldilocks organic soft cheese, mature Cheddar and Applewood smoked Cheddar, all from Somerset. Lots of copper pots and the stone-built pub is carpeted throughout. The cheerful landlord greets all customers, whether locals or visitors like us, most warmly.
I’d never been to The Crown before, and I was mightily impressed by the standards of real ale and food. I’ll be back.
The board outside The Crown proclaims support for local suppliers such as Samways of Bridport and West Bay, and Cains of Chideock. Photo by Michel Hooper-Immins.
The Crown Inn, Uploders, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4NU.
Landlords: Ralph & Gail Prince
Telephone: 01308 485356
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 noon – 2.30pm, 6 – 11pm. Sunday, 12 noon – 3pm, 6 – 10.30pm.
Editor’s Note: Michel Hooper-Immins belongs to the British Guild of Beer Writers, whose members share “a love of beer and a desire to see its virtues communicated more effectively.” He is a leading member of CAMRA’s Wessex Region, and his name can often be found in The Good Pub Guide.
The editor of this website also works for Watershed PR, one of whose clients is Palmers Brewery. Please note, however, that Michel Hooper-Immins is an experienced journalist who chooses for himself which pubs to visit, and writes about all pubs and brewers in Dorset as he sees fit.
2 Responses to “Reviewed: The Crown Inn, Uploders, near Bridport”
New landlords have arrived and opened, Gemma Wattts & Philip Scott
New landlord – he can’t stop talking about how succesful he’s been at previous pubs – yet he can’t even smile, or say thank you. I say this: No warm welcome, no custom.
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