Ye Olde English Dorset Pub Tour

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Overview

  • Duration:7 hours 0 minutes
  • Travelers:8 guests
  • Tour Type:Cruise Excursion (From Portland)
  • Language:English
  • Start Time:09.30 AM
  • Group Tour:Up to 8
Step back in time on our Ye Olde English Dorset Pub Tour, a spirited journey through centuries of ale, smugglers, sailors and storytelling.

This tour takes you on a whistle stop adventure through the county’s long and colourful drinking history, along Roman highways and cobbled streets, through historic passageways and secret shortcuts once used by traders and rogues alike.

We visit traditional inns where low oak beams, flagstone floors and roaring fireplaces tell their own tales. Discover how Dorset’s coastal smuggling trade, quarrymen, fishermen and farmers shaped the character of its pubs, each one with its own legends, ghost stories and local brews.

Expect characterful landlords, locally brewed ales, hidden corners and the kind of establishments where time seems to stand still.

This is Dorset at its most authentic, unpolished, atmospheric and unmistakably English.
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Please Note: This tour operates on a private basis and requires the exclusive hire of the entire minibus. The vehicle accommodates up to 8 passengers, and the full vehicle rate applies regardless of group size.

Highlights

  • Visit historic Dorset inns filled with character, charm and centuries of stories.
  • Discover tales of smugglers, sailors and secret passageways woven into Dorset’s drinking history.
  • Enjoy traditional English pubs with local ales, low beams and roaring fireplaces.

Itinerary

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Starting time & location: Portland Castle

9:30am – Portland Castle Meeting Point

Please take the free shuttle bus from the port to Portland Castle, where we will be waiting to welcome you as you step off the shuttle. The journey takes only around three minutes and is very straightforward.

Please note: if your ship arrives later than 9:30am, we will adjust the tour to fit your actual arrival and departure times, so there is no need to worry.

25-minute scenic drive to the Jurassic Coast

Travelling

The Square & Compass

The world famous Square and Compass (featured in The Guardian Newspaper) is a Grade II listed public house in Worth Matravers, Dorset. Built in the 18th century, opened in 1776 as a pair of cottages before becoming a public house, The building includes a museum of fossils and other local artifacts and the pub is one of only nine nationally that has been included in every edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide.

The Scott Arms

The Scott Arms dates from 1787. Originally known as the New Inn, after the Second World War the name was changed to The Scott Arms. John Scott, who was the first Lord Eldon, he was Lord Chancellor for 25 years!

The Fox Inn

The Fox Inn is a simple ancient ale house. It dates from 1568 and a fact that sends a shiver down the spine, it was serving ale some 70 years before the Civil War blasted to bits the royalist stronghold of Corfe Castle!

35-minute scenic drive through Dorset countryside

Travelling

Weymouth - Lunch (1 hour)

Enjoy free time in Weymouth’s historic harbour, perfect for fish and chips, local shops, and classic seaside charm.

The George Inn Weymouth

The George Inn Weymouth dates back to 1665, when its owner Sir Samuel Mico, a rich merchant, bequeathed it to the town and its profits went to aid aged sailors and poor apprentice boys. The charity continues today by providing educational grants.

The Cove House Inn

The Cove House Inn remains one of Portland's most popular pubs, and has been reputed to be one of the best inns for panoramic views in the area. The pub is a Grade II Listed Building and the current building has been recorded as being early 19th-century, although there is also evidence that the building has origins from the late 17th to the early 18th century.

Drop off

Portland Castle (Portland Port)

Includes/Excludes

  • English-speaking guide
  • Parking fees
  • Bottled water
  • Entrance fees
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch / snacks

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before the activity start time. If you cancel within 48 hours of departure, or fail to attend, no refund will be issued.

More than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: 100% refund
Less than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: No refund

No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after the scheduled departure time.

Ship Unable to Dock

In the event that your ship is unable to dock due to bad weather or an itinerary change, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Please note: Stripe, our payment processing provider, may retain a processing fee of up to 3.25% to 4.9%, which is beyond our control.

Tour Map

Frequently asked questions

Meeting Times & How to get to us?

Finding Us at Portland Port

Portland Port is a working commercial port, so guests are not permitted to walk around independently. A complimentary shuttle bus operates during cruise hours.

Where to Meet Us
We meet at historic Portland Castle, which is located just outside the main port gates.

How to Get There
After leaving your ship, simply take the free blue shuttle bus. The journey takes approximately 3 minutes and drops you close to Portland Castle, where we will be waiting to welcome you.

Tour Timing
All of our tours are carefully planned around your ship’s arrival and departure times. If your ship’s schedule changes, we will adjust the tour accordingly.

Any questions?
Email Sally at info@dorsettours.com

Our ship arrives later than the tour start time?

If your ship arrives later than our tour start times, we will adjust the tour to fit your actual arrival and departure times, so there is no need to worry.

What is your cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before the activity start time. If you cancel within 48 hours of departure, or fail to attend, no refund will be issued.

More than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: 100% refund
Less than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: No refund

No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after the scheduled departure time.

Ship Unable to Dock

In the event that your ship is unable to dock due to bad weather or an itinerary change, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Please note: Stripe, our payment processing provider, may retain a processing fee of up to 3.25% to 4.9%, which is beyond our control.

Do you have minimum group numbers?

Yes.

Like many small tour companies, we do require a minimum number of passengers to run any of our tours.

If the number of passengers is not met you will be notified around 72 hours before your tour departure and offered an alternative date. *Subject to availability.

If we need to cancel your tour due to insufficient numbers, you will be refunded in full.

What to Expect on Your Tour

Our tours are guided, with time to explore independently. At each stop, your guide will provide an engaging introduction to the location, including its history, geology, and key points of interest, helping you make the most of your visit.

You will then have free time to explore at your own pace before we continue to the next stop on the itinerary.

Mobility & Accessibility

Our tours vary depending on the locations and sites visited, and some may be more suitable than others depending on individual mobility needs. Please note that some walking is necessary to access certain sites along the Jurassic Coast.

We are always happy to advise. Please contact a member of our team by email to discuss any concerns, and we will help you choose the most appropriate option.
from£649.00 /group
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