As it was Monday night I couldn't find anywhere else to eat, so many pubs and restaurants were closed! I had to travel just over ten miles but boy was it worth it. I had the beer battered Pollock and it was superb. The beer was exceptionally well kept as well. Would recommend this pub as the whole experience was great, a special sound out to the young lady who answered the phone as her easy, confident, manner on the phone convinced me to get in the car and both young ladies in the bar especially the red head who was lovely! Not a fan of the basket idea, my fork kept going through the greaseproof paper, would have preferred a plate. With food this good you don't need a gimmick!

What an absolute gem of a pub. Delightful staff and great atmosphere. Great mozzarella sticks!

Perfect place for Sunday lunch. I had cheese souffle starter and nut roast mains and both were delicious. The cauliflower cheese which accompanied the mains was the best I've had for a long time, including homemade! Staff were friendly and pub itself very nice, chairs exceptionally comfortable. Definitely worth a visit.

We live a few villages away from Shroton so we don't come here very often but when we do we always have a great time they do brilliant pub quizzes here on Wednesdays which we enjoy! However yesterday we had houseguests and wanted to eat out which is not easy in Rural North Dorset on a Monday but the cricketers was open and the kitchen was serving a delicious menu! As always the food, service and atmosphere were excellent even though it was a Monday the place did not seem empty although it was much quieter than later in the week or at the weekend. Highly recommended!

We had hunters chicken and spinach, tomato and pesto tortellini. The food was amazing when the correct dish came out

Came here on a Saturday evening at 18:30. The entire pub was empty apart from one table and now I know why. We ordered the curry from the specials board (smallest portion I've ever seen, no naan bread), a portion of dirty fries and a mackerel and sourdough starter. The entire plate of chicken curry and rice had clearly been microwaved, it had that overly hot and overcooked texture to it. The dirty fries weren't even fresh, a few bits of crispy bacon, all of the cheese lifted off in one slab and the tomatoes/onions were wet and warm, not cooked or flavoursome. I would've been embarrassed to serve those to the children at home. The mackerel. Well it was just mashed mackerel and a piece of sourdough bread with a drizzle of oil across it. Not overly flavoursome. I've eaten here many times over the years and it used to be great. For someone who regularly eats out between Blandford/Shaftesbury and the surrounding villages. I would recommend any other pub you can find. It'll certainly be the last time we ever eat here. Finally finished, plates taken, not a "would you like the dessert menu" or "how was your meal" they didn't get anything right. They will be closed by Christmas if this continues. PS44 for 2 drinks, a small bowl of microwaved curry, some chips, a small piece of bread and some mashed fish. Avoid. I don't often feel the need to leave reviews of a negative experience, but if you're reading this, please book elsewhere. UPDATE following response. Not once were we asked by your waitress. Everyone at the table can confirm that! Neither have you tried to address the comments made regarding the quality, portion size or price of your food. It clearly demonstrates the exact attitude and non-caring experience that we witnessed. A slightly sarcastic/passive aggressive response around Christmas does you no favours. If you have one table eating on a Saturday evening whilst every other pub nearby is fully booked, you really won't be here before Christmas. This is a small village and you've set a reputation that sadly, for you, will not recover under your ownership.