Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Dorset
  4. Poole
  5. Poole
The Cricketers, Blandford Forum, ENG

The Cricketers

4.6
4.6
110 Reviews
£25 and under
Pub
Top tags:

The Cricketers is a fantastic community pub located in Shroton, a picturesque village nestled away in the beautiful Dorset countryside. 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! So whether you’re a visitor to the area or one of our lovely locals, we can’t wait to make you feel at home. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Make a booking

2 people
May 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
21:00

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Pub

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Sat 12:00–15:00 Mon–Sat 18:00–22:00 Sun 12:00–18:00

  • Phone number

    01258 268107

  • Website

    https://ourlocal.pub/pubs/the-cricketers-blandford-forum/

  • Payment Options

    Contactless Payment, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive Chef

    Aidan Macdonald

  • Location

    Shroton Blandford Forum, ENG DT11 8QD

  • 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

    Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 110 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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Dorset

    Best Value

  • Dorset

    Healthy

  • Dorset

    Lunch

  • Dorset

    Neighbourhood Gem

Sort by

Filters

  1. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovey service by the landlady and her staff and great food

  2. PH

    PatH

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is a lovely old pub in a delightful setting at the bottom of Hambledon Hill in Dorset. My friends and I felt welcomed by the staff and also very well served by them; they were friendly and efficient. We went for a meal which we all thought was delicious and very good value. I think we'll be back!

  3. G

    Glabry11

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 April 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    They cancelled my Wife’s birthday dinner with only 3 hours notice so VERY unhappy

    The CricketersResponded on 30 April 2022

    Dear Glabry11, We apologise that your booking had to be cancelled however we did phone you and explain that we had no chef that evening therefore we were not able to serve food, we gave all our bookings as much notice as we could but unfortunately circumstances can change very quickly. It is not something that has happened before and we are very sorry but with no chef there wasn't much we could do. Regards, The Cricketers

  4. LP

    LeeP

    London

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 22 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent food, drink and service, Thank You!! A very well run pub!!

  5. SB

    SueB

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful food and excellent service. One of our favourite places to eat.

  6. AS

    AlanS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Relaxing place to eat & drink after a long walk in the local area...enjoyable food and friendly staff in a delightful location.

  7. DG

    DavidG

    Dorset

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 19 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Never judge a book by its cover! From a very uninspiring exterior this pub is an absolute gem inside. The menu is fabulous and vegans and vegetarians will be spoilt for choice. I am neither and my whitebait starter was really good but my Persian lamb tagine was outstanding.

  8. MG

    MichaelG

    Dorset

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 12 April 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Amazing food very professional staff friendly place hide pub but best pub

  9. AO

    AnneO

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic pub selling really good food. Really friendly ambience. Before our lunch we arranged to park the car in the pub car park and walked Hambledon and Hod hill. It was a fantastic day and the owners were very welcoming and just made the whole thing so brilliant. They had a main and separate specials menu ( superb range) and a separate vegan menu- with some great recipes! We mixed and matched from these. It is worth booking ahead - esp if you leave the car in the car park for a walk.

  10. JD

    JenniferD

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Three vegetarians found a wide choice of well prepared food which was interesting and enjoyable. I will take future guests there without hesitation. Could find no faults.

  11. m

    malcolmt

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    This was a real treat for us to book a table for three. There was only one lady on duty and she kept up with service very well. We had an excellent meal and would definitely be going back very soon.

  12. NE

    NigelE

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Our party of 5 was given a table by the sunny bow window and served in a very friendly and efficient way. Other patrons that lunch-time tended, like us, to be walkers or cyclists. A deservedly popular pub with an attractive menu which we will certainly visit again.

  13. TF

    TonyF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a meal for my birthday. The owner had put a banner on my table which was a lovely touch. I would not have to think twice about the idea of going there again for a meal or a drink.

  14. S

    Supertyke

    Hampshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Good food, good service, friendly helpful staff and the beers not half bad too 😉!

  15. MG

    MichaelG

    Dorset

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 22 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What can say the steak night on Tuesday any steak for £12 the valve was outstanding price and if it wasn’t for open table would never found this pub staff was amazing friendly service well recommended this pub

  16. ST

    StephenT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 March 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Very good value steak, most enjoyable meal . Very busy !

  17. DA

    DeeA

    Dorset

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 March 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience5

    A very popular place to eat. Food was good but service was very slow, probably because they were so busy. Information about serving the children’s meals with adult starters didn’t get relayed to the kitchen. Waiting/bar staff were very attentive though.

  18. BG

    BobbyG

    Devon

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    From start to finish it is always a great dining experience. All members of staff are fantastic, from front of house to the chefs - brilliant. Would always recommend the Cricketers!

  19. NR

    NoreenR

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 March 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    We had a warm friendly welcome the menu was very good lots of choices. We had delicious hot food a lamb tagine and a curry both were very good , the desserts we had were also of a very high standard. The service was excellent, the decor was very nice the standard of cleanliness was very high.

  20. CW

    CraigW

    Dorset

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 11 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food, pleasant atmosphere, will be eating there again.

  21. MB

    MichaelB

    Dorset

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 March 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Varied menus & a “Specials” Board Unusual menus on that 👍 Themed nights for Steak: Pie & Burger Nights - excellent value. Family run with friendly conversations. Regular customers as well as new. That speaks volumes

  22. W

    Walker

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful cheese soufflé and delicious panna cotta. Thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere and excellent service.

  23. TW

    TimW

    Gloucestershire

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 27 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely relaxed atmosphere and wonderful food Most enjoyable experience We will be back again and again

  24. SN

    SteveN

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ex value for money friendly atmosphere food was excellent and plenty of choice. Nice to see we still have traditional family run places like this to eat. I will def be going again for sure

  25. D

    David

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food and good service; nice location and a nice pub

  26. D

    Debbie

    Dorset

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 February 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Service and staff super. Great local pub atmosphere and obviously loved by everyone. Dog friendly. Good in the day after a long walk. Excellent choice of food, but a little disappointing in quality. Lovely village with good nearby walk to Hambledon Hill.

  27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very welcoming, friendly and efficient staff. Good menu with wide choice of food, promptly served and all meals were excellent. Couldn’t fault it - we will definitely return soon.

  28. AA

    AnneA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Last minute booking. Really friendly. Open atmosphere. Clean and spacious. Great menu choice and brilliant specials. Excellent price. Faultless!

  29. D

    Duane

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Superb food and service as always. Lovely out of the way restaurant with a family atmosphere and very welcoming.

  30. HD

    HazelD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Relaxing lunch with friends and fabulous food. Excellent value for money. Wish we lived closer so could go more often, but will definitely be back.

  31. PG

    PaulG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service. A great experience and would certainly recommend it

  32. LM

    LucyM

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a lovely meal out the food was delicious and the service excellent I would thoroughly recommend The Cricketers

  33. SS

    SimonS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went on the steak night. What a lovely meal and the price was great. We already booked to go back. Also we will try the pie night. Lovely thank you

  34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dorset

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food , really friendly staff .

  35. GB

    GillianB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely in all ways, as ever. Thank you to all the team.

  36. DR

    DeniseR

    Hampshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great to have plenty of Gluten Free choices, food was delicious and good value. We will definitely be dining there again

  37. a

    annon

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    excellent lunch. can not fault the cricketers at all.

  38. NM

    NicolaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff were really friendly- I booked a table and we had a nice quiet spot to ourselves which was great. The food was amazing! cannot fault it at all and plenty of it too. My only negative is that drinks were expensive. My husband ordered lemonade and orange juice and we were taken aback with the price of it. But overall a fantastic place and more then worth a visit. We will certainly be going back.

  39. DR

    DeniseR

    Hampshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 January 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good for gluten free, nice to have a choice and especially desserts 😀 , glad this is local to our new home

  40. EJ

    ErikJ

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 13 January 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Attentive staff and good food for a pub. We'll be back soon.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waiting staff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

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

The Cricketers is rated 4.6 stars by 110 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
May 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
21:00
Google Map for The Cricketers

Shroton Blandford Forum, ENG DT11 8QD

Additional information

  • Area

    Poole

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Sat 12:00–15:00 Mon–Sat 18:00–22:00 Sun 12:00–18:00

  • 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

    Contactless Payment, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive Chef

    Aidan Macdonald

  • Additional

    Beer, Beer Garden, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
Delight more dinersRestaurant Blog
Join us on
Copyright © 2022 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 700, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking LogoPriceline LogoKAYAK LogoAgoda LogoRentalcars LogoOpenTable Logo