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The Cricketers, Blandford Forum, ENG

The Cricketers

4.6
4.6
280 Reviews
£25 and under
Pub

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2 people
19:00
Booked 2 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Soak up our friendly service and homely charm when nestled in the impressive roadside pub in the picturesque village of Shorton. Here at The Cricketers, we are the perfect retreat to sit back, relax and indulge in our delicious food with the perfect drink in hand. Situated at the foot of Hambledon Hill, home of an Iron Age hill fort, and just off the Wessex Ridgeway footpath, a right of way passes right through our garden, making it a delightful spot for walkers to rest and enjoy some well-earned refreshments! Here at the Cricketers, we see ourselves as being a real village pub - delicious food, a great selection of drinks and the warmest of welcomes. Well behaved dogs are even welcome in the bar area!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Phone number
    01258 268107
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Steven Gannon
  • Area
    Poole
  • Parking details
    You may be required to park on the road due to limited spaces in our car park
  • Public transit
    1 Bus stop opposite to pub
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 280 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Cricketers is a charming pub known for its "excellent food" and "friendly staff." Guests rave about the "great selection of food" and the "value for money." While service can be slow at times, the "wonderful staff" ensures a "delightful experience." Don't miss the "great Sunday roast"!

280 Reviews
  1. John

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a warm welcome here at the Cricketers! The lunchtime menu is good with special mention for the burger and ham, egg and chips. Timothy Taylor Landlord seems to be a permanent option and it is very rare to encounter it this far south in the country and all the more of a pleasure to enjoy one of the UK’s finest ales.

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  2. Samantha

    Lancashire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The lady who served us made our evening. She was an absolute delight.

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  3. Bernard

    Dorset

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 September 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Unfortunately although we have eaten here before and had a nice meal, on this occasion it was not good. There were 6 of us and whilst the main course for 4 of us was ok the shepherds pie that both my son and I ordered was frankly awful. There was small amount of sort of liquidised carrot on the plate which was ok but not exactly wonderful but the pie itself consisted of a small dish of diced meat which was full of in edible gristle, a small amount of gravy topped by a small dollop of mashed potato which wasn't even fully covering the dish. Together with the inedible meat I also had 2 pieces of string in my pie.The pub did however take the cost off the bill when my son paid but as it was supposed to be family celebration it was rather spoilt by the meal.. However, the waitress was friendly and efficient and the deserts were nice but I feel that the pub should not have accepted bookings for individuals when they had a large wedding party as the chef clearly couldn't be bothered with our shepherds pies.

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  4. Val

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A lovely, warm and friendly pub. We enjoyed a delicious lunch which was chosen from an excellent menu - spoilt for choice! Loved the play on words referring to cricket. I'm very much looking forward to my next visit.

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  5. Jennifer

    London

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 2 September 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Friendly service but staff very inexperienced/untrained? Food tepid - no reaction when staff informed. Good desserts. Overall disappointing.

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  6. Jez

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great Sunday roast and a very good price. Wonderful staff.

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  7. Natalie

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very nice meal excellent service by a very friendly waitress good value too. Would recommend.

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  8. Richard

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great menu, friendly staff. All three courses were excellent. We would definitely return in back in the area.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Dorset

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 July 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely pub serving excellent food and beer. Staff welcoming and friendly. Food service was slow on the Saturday we were there.

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  10. IanW

    Dorset

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 12 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Second visit to this excellent pub. Great selection of food and excellent service. Also great value.

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FAQs

The Cricketers offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 01258 268107.

The Cricketers is rated 4.6 stars by 280 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 2 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Cricketers

Shroton, Blandford Forum, ENG DT11 8QD

Additional information

  • Area
    Poole
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    You may be required to park on the road due to limited spaces in our car park
  • Public transit
    1 Bus stop opposite to pub
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Steven Gannon
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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