5 of the best places for a Ploughman's lunch in Dorset

Consisting of crusty bread, meats, cheese and other accompaniments such as pickled onions, boiled eggs and salad, it supposedly resembles what a ploughman might have eaten on a midday break in the fields.

The version that we know and love today was popularised as a pub dish in the 1950s where it is still often served now.

If you wanted to find a quality spot to enjoy a Ploughman's lunch in Dorset and the New Forest here are a few options you could go to.

5 of the best spots for a Ploughman's lunch in Dorset and the New Forest

Peaches of Bournemouth

Address: 76, Basepoint Business Centre, East Parley, Christchurch BH23 6NX

Rating: 4.9/5 (from 56 Google Reviews)

Peaches of Bournemouth offers a hearty Ploughman's lunch for collection, delivery, or to eat in.

It includes freshly baked baguettes as part of this alongside the options of honey-glazed gammon or chicken breast for the meats.

Additionally, it comes with four different cheeses, pickled onions, hard-boiled eggs, pate, grapes and celery.

The Langton Arms

The Langton Arms is well-rated for its Ploughman's lunches (Image: The Langton Arms/Tripadvisor)

Address: Tarrant Monkton, Blandford Forum DT11 8RX

Rating: 4.5/5 (from 637 Google Reviews) and 4.5/5 (from 426 Tripadvisor reviews)

The Langton Arms can be found in the village of Tarrant Monkton near Blandford Forum and is well worth stopping off at for a Ploughman's.

Their version is "big enough to share" according to their menu, and features West Country cheeses and homey roasted ham as its main components.

One reviewer wrote: "Went for an impromptu lunch, staff were very friendly, beer garden to the rear was humongous and the Ploughman’s to share was exceptional."

The Thimble Inn

Address: 14 High Street, Piddlehinton, Dorchester DT2 7TD

Rating: 4.7/5 (from 950 Google Reviews) and 4.5/5 (from 1,018 Tripadvisor reviews)

The village of Piddlehinton is home to a top-quality option for a Ploughman's lunch in The Thimble Inn.

Guests can choose from wokey hole cave-aged cheddar or treacle glazed ham which is served with crusty bread, selection of pickles & chutney, salad and fruit.

It's been a hit with diners as one reviewer wrote: "Craved a ploughman’s and that is what we got. Perfection on a plate. Service spot on and made to feel welcome, nice selection of beers(not that I had any as driving) we live in Dorchester so must not forget the local surrounding village pubs Will we be back."

Another shared: "Sat outside one sunny afternoon and had a fabulous ploughman’s lunch. Lots of lovely local cheeses, delicious homemade sausage roll, bread and all the other usual accompaniments.

"This was the first time we visited and not our last as the staff were really nice and friendly and everywhere [was] spotlessly clean."

The Ship Inn Wool

The Ship Inn Wool serves large Ploughman's platters (Image: Martin A/Tripadvisor)

Address: Dorchester Rd., Wool, Wareham BH20 6EQ

Rating: 4.5/5 (from 1,254 Google Reviews) and 4/5 (from 575 Tripadvisor reviews)

The Ship Inn Wool serves hearty Ploughman's platters that go down a treat with its diners.

Guests can choose from options such as home-cooked ham, hot sausage, chicken liver pate and brie to go with the accompaniments.

These include mixed leaf salad, coleslaw, pickled onions, pickled egg, gherkins, apple, sweet pickle and crusty bread and butter.

One reviewer shared: "I chose my Ploughmans with mature cheddar and cooked ham - and I was not disappointed. A decent size platter with all the trimmings - absolutely gorgeous!"

Another wrote: "Not gonna lie … I would sell a child to have a ploughman’s like this near my house. Honestly, my boyfriend is jealous of how much I enjoyed this. 5* will dream of it for many more years to come … wine also nice … photo does not do justice to taste."

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak has received plenty of praise for its Ploughman's lunches (Image: Girliegundrops/Tripadvisor)

Address: The Royal Oak, Fritham, Lyndhurst SO43 7HJ

Rating: 4.7/5 (from 1,138 Google Reviews) and 4.5/5 (from 431 Tripadvisor reviews)

Located in the village of Fritham in the New Forest, The Royal Oak is a dream for a Ploughman's lunch lover as it's the only food they serve.

Options include Mixed gammon & cheese, Trout pate and Mixed lentil & feta among others which are all served with fresh salad, roasted root vegetables, homemade coleslaw, pickled red onions, locally produced chutney and a crusty roll.

Additionally, you can have a Ploughman's based around a homemade pork pie, sausage roll, bacon quiche or mushroom quiche.

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The pub has earned rave reviews, with one person posting: "Food wise, they only serve ploughman’s. But if you’re going to do one thing - then you do it really well! Lovely homemade pickle, dressing, pickled onion and coleslaw. Delish ham, pork pies and sausage rolls."

Another wrote: "Great pub serving great ploughman's lunches. Good place to stop if you're walking or cycling around the New Forest. Relax and enjoy a drink, food, the beer garden, views and good vibes."

Meanwhile, another shared: "What a beautiful place, food was amazing, definitely the best ploughman's lunch I've ever had and a pint of blush cider to wash it down in the sunshine. PERFECT."