This week’s pub of the week is The Three Compasses at Charminster, which has been singled out for its beautiful adjoining vintage tea (and gin) room.

Landlord/landlady name: Rob and Tina Dixon

How long have you been the landlord/landlady for?

We officially took over as landlord and landlady three years ago upon the retirement of Rob’s father, Terry Dixon, who had been the landlord for nearly 30 years!

Why did you decide to run a pub?

Terry took over the pub in 1988 and upon his retirement in 2017 we were very eager to keep it within the family and not be at risk of development into flats! We were researching Terry’s East End family history and we discovered that as far back as we could get on-line, 6 or 7 generations, ALL had been Licensed Victuallers, as they were then called, and all had run pubs in the East End of London.

Not wanting to let the Dixon family down, that sealed our fate and we took on The Three Compasses in the lovely village of Charminster, near Dorchester!

Bar staff names: Sara Caton - Bar Manager

Dorset Echo:

History of the pub (that you know of): The Three Compasses has a huge and fascinating history as there has been a pub on the site for nearly 300 years! There are lots of photos and information up in the pub for customers to enjoy.

Is food served and if so, what’s on the menu?

Food is now served but as The Three Compasses is a very traditional pub with a great pub atmosphere we keep it to traditional pub food such as Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Pie & Chips and Burgers etc.

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Most popular drink served is: In our bar it is Otter Amber Ale and San Miguel Lager but in the garden a fabulous Gin Cocktail in a bone china teapot!

Dorset Echo:

Most memorable moment?

Our opening day when we booked the fabulous Dorito Mariachi Band who famously “Bring the Party to the Party”!

Dorset Echo:

Do you have an entertainment line-up?

We are, first and foremost, a music pub and have been for over 30 years. In a cautious and sensible social distancing way, music is now returning on Saturdays and Sundays in the Courtyard Garden. Before lockdown we did have a Jazz Club every 1st and 3rd Wednesday evening and we hope to get that up and running again in a month or so.

Have you faced any challenges within the industry?

We have not faced too many challenges thankfully although losing the traditional dray lorries a couple of years ago had a big impact and, unfortunately, deliveries had never been as reliable since!

The best thing about running a pub is...

The lovely people you meet from every corner of thew World!

The worst thing about running a pub is....

Very obviously, the amount of hours and late nights....!!

How have you responded to the challenge of the coronavirus lockdown and how do you see the pub adapting to the new situation?

Without a doubt, Coronavirus lockdown has been a challenge but, with spare time on our hands, we were able to set up the Compasses’ Food and Beer Takeaway from the old “Bottle and Jug” hatchway. Both the Takeaway and the “Two Pinters” have proved so popular that they are here to stay!

Is there anything you would like to add that people might find of interest about your pub?

We have a gorgeous vintage Tea Room/Gin Parlour where you can partake in Afternoon Tea with tea or gin in Bone China Teapots.

 the weather is sunny, a table in the “Gin Garden” is your best bet! The Three Compasses’ vintage Skittle Alley is still very much in use.