The Castle Inn

This attractive 16th-century thatched pub in West Lulworth, near Lulworth Cove, is a perfect use for discovering this fascinating and scenic part of the country. Its location is a cracker – the village is lovely, and you're ideally located for visiting not only Lulworth Cove but also Durdle Door and the other highlights of Dorset's beautiful Jurassic Coast – and the pub serves excellent food and has 12 recently refurbished dog-friendly and family-friendly rooms for overnight stays.

Part of the southwest regional Butcombe group, and recently added as another one of their Butcombe Boutique Inns, the pub is a nice place just for a drink, but it also serves good food that varies from beer-battered fish and chips to local game, steaks and imaginative vegetarian dishes. They also host regular events, including quiz nights, performances by Morris dancers, and a Beer and Cider Festival in late March. The garden is also delightful, climbing steeply behind the pub, and dogs are welcome everywhere.

The pub's dozen guest rooms are characterful but also contemporary, and very slick and span after a recent refresh. They all have good WiFi, Smart TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities and en-suite bathrooms with Bramley toiletries, and the Signature Plus rooms are slightly more spacious with king-size beds. They also have a couple of extra-large family rooms with a king-size bed and a sofa bed – perfect for young families visiting the seaside!