The Cove House Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland

Stone built pub just up from Chesil beach with sea views, though said views are partially obscured by the modern sea defence – your best bet is to bag the main window seat which is slightly elevated. Fairly modern inside though not unpleasantly so; black fake beams, better quality laminate floor, exposed stone. It's a sort of W shape, via three rooms semi-knocked through. Dining-focussed with a couple of tables for drinkers – no sign of the bar billiards table mentioned by WhatPub. GBG listed and the friendly pink-clad female staff gave me the choice of Sharps Doom Bar, Sea Fury and a local drop of Durble Door, which was slightly hazy but drinkable enough (NBSS 2.5) at a tourist rate of 5 quid a pop. Worth doing if you’re on the way back from the George in Portland but not necessarily a special trip otherwise. 6.5