Dorset: Loders Arms, Bridport is our pub of the week

If you take a trip through the countryside and down a couple of country roads, you will come across a traditional 17th century pub in the heart of Loders.

The Loders Arms on New Street Lane is a Palmers pub which is being run by husband-and-wife duo, Matt and Harriet Hallett.

Their story is like something out of a Hallmark movie as the duo moved to the small west Dorset village to fulfil their dream of running their very own pub – having ‘never heard of Loders’ before.

Loder's Arms pub (Image: Hollie Carr)

Despite not being aware of the village before making the big leap and moving there, the pair are used to village life as they are both initially from Cornwall, and have lived in East Devon in recent years, before moving to Dorset more than two years ago.

Matt said: “Not all village pubs have the same support as we have.

“We try and be as welcoming and as accommodating as possible and the locals play a big part in that as they welcome people into the pub.

“It’s all about building an atmosphere so that people can come here and properly relax.”

The pair took over the running of the pub approximately a year and half ago, describing the venue as ‘a pub in the heart of the community like the nearby Crown Inn in Uploders.’

Loders Arms (Image: Supplied)

Both Matt and Harriet come from hospitality backgrounds as Harriet was the former general manager at Lilac Wine Bar in Lyme Regis, and Matt’s family used to run a pub.

Matt said that when his family ran a pub, he asked his dad what his favourite thing about it was – to which his dad responded that the most interesting thing about it was that ‘you never know who is going to walk through your door next,’ – and now this is the same viewpoint that Matt has taken on.

(Image: Supplied)

According to an old document, the Loders Arms car park was formerly the site of a thatched house and village forge.

Matt said: “There are some nice little cosy corners in the winter and a bit more life in the summer.”

Whilst Harriet is the friendly face greeting you at front of house, Matt is working behind the scenes in the kitchen.

The menu changes almost daily, offering a mixture of pub classics and unique dishes, as well as a Sunday lunch.

Matt joked: “We must put out a half decent plate of food.”

He also had plenty of praise for ‘the small team,’ labelling them ‘really great people.’

The publicans have also arranged quiz nights and pizza nights at the venue which prove to be popular.