Considered to be Weymouth's (the other side of the water is Melcombe Regis) oldest pub the single wood-floored bar area gives way at each end to rooms with bench and traditional seating and roaring fires in winter. Quiz night Wednesday. No meals are served, except large pork pies and chutney. Not sure which ale to try? - real ales can be purchased as three 1/3rd pint measures. A true pub where conversation rules. Meat draw each Sunday afternoon. Real ale is discounted on Mondays from 5pm.
Historic Interest
Claims to be oldest pub in Weymouth
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: II
Although the building itself dates to the early-17th century, the room layout and many of the fittings are from a 1930s refit. The small bare-boarded corner ‘Saloon Bar’ has a counter that pre-dates the refit (note the now-defunct Victorian water tap), dado panelling with benches but a modern stone surround fireplace. Up two steps at the back is a tiny snug with one panelled wall and service from a hatch/doorway. On the left, the bare-boarded public bar was once two rooms and has an inter-war counter and dado panelling but a more recent bar-back. This room has been extended into former living quarters fairly recently.
A former Devenish pub which was acquired by Ringwood Brewery in 1998. Early 17th century with stone mullioned windows and leaded windows which fronted the former busy high street of old Weymouth.
The right hand side of the building is almost covered by signage in stone relief 'The Boot ... D Co ... Fine Ales And Stout Wines And Spirits'. It has a three roomed layout and retains much from a 1930s refit as well as retaining one Victorian bar counter. The corner bare boarded small room has 'Saloon Bar' white on red leaded panels in twin doors and retains a bar counter that is possibly 100 years old and painted green, old dado panelling with wall benches attached but a modern stone surround fireplace with log burner. Note the Victorian water tap on the bar counter which is sadly no longer in working order.
There are many of these to be found in use in Scottish bars as whisky is the only spirit to benefit from a little water. Other taps can be found in England most notably at the CAMRA Heritage Pub the Victoria. London W2 which is still in working order.
Up two steps to the rear is a very small snug with one panelled wall and is served by a hatch/doorway to the side of the servery. The bare boarded public bar on the left was originally two rooms - note 'Public Bar' in white letters on red leaded panels on the window either side of the entrance doors. It has an old, possibly inter-war bar counter also painted green but the bar back is modern. There is more old dado panelling. In recent years, this room has been doubled in size by combining with a room to the far left, possibly a public room but more likely former living quarters. There is old dado panelling and seating in alcoves on either side of an old fireplace.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.
Boot Inn, Weymouth