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Home > Dorset > Burton Bradstock > The Dove

The Dove

 

Picture source: Hania Franek


The Dove was situated at 101-102 Southover, closing c2000.

This grade-II listed pub closed a couple of years after a new owner had knocked it all through and attempted to take it upmarket. He attempted to get planning permission for an existing semi-permanent marquee (in which he held functions) covering the back terrace after a neighbour* complained about the noise. When this was refused, he closed the pub, redeveloping it as two or three houses and pocketed the cash.
*Interestingly the lady neighbour used to come in once a month to sing (badly) along with an accordionist called George Hearst. This new owner put a stop to this, then the complaints about the noise started. Funny that....
 Shame. Pre 1998 it was an excellent free house. On a cul de sac so got less tourist traffic (not a bad thing!) 
Jonathan Robson
My grandfather Ernest Samuel Cotton was the publican of this pub. He died on the beach in 1937. I don't  know when he became the landlord . His wife was Margaret, she moved after his death to Sale. Ernest Samuel Cotton was a Colour Sergeant Major in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was married 1918 in Hull where he finished his army career.
Roberta Cotton (August 2011)
The pub has been converted into dwellings and renamed "The Cider House" and "Smugglers Cottage" respectively. The Dove closed in 2001 after planning permission to erect an awning in the pub garden for music functions was refused on the grounds complaints about the noise that would be generated. Planning permission was granted in 2001 for conversion to two "cottages". The public bar was at the far end in what is now 100, the dining area in the nearer end which is now 101.
John Stephen (November 2015)
I spent a summer here in 1977 as I was going out with the then Landlord's son Richard. The pub then had two very small bars - supposedly public and Lounge but they were nearly identical except one had a dartboard. It was frequented almost entirely by locals and not tourists and as I recall did virtually no food - possibly the odd ploughmans or ham roll but certainly nothing hot. It served real cider and keg beer and all the local expected me to remember what their "usual" was and whether it was served in a jug (the dimpled glass) a straight glass or one of the several "special" glasses/tankards behind the bar. I was awful at remembering which didn't go down well with some of them but generally they were a friendly lot. The days were completely quiet except for a short period between 1 and 2 and my darts got a lot better over the summer as a result, as I would often be there alone or with Richard for a whole session, and only serve a dozen or so drinks in total. I remember that upstairs was infested with spiders off the thatched roof - luckily spiders have never worried me.
Lesley Palmer (August 2017)

Listed building details:
Attached Public House. c.C17 with raised eaves. Rubble stone walls. Thatch roof. 3 brick stacks, at left hand gable, and 2 on ridge (20 rebuild). 1½ storeys. 5-6 windows, Slight wooden casements, without glazing-bars. Mainly C20. Wooden cills and lintels. At right hand end, casements have glazing-bars. 5 eyebrow dormers. 3 doors, at regular intervals from left to right, each plank with 6 glass lights, C20. Each door has a steep thatch canopy on wooden posts with brick supporting walls, C20. Marks of two blocked doorways at right hand end.

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Name Dates Comments
Rosalind Christmas 1950s-1990s We had our holidays in an old gypsy caravan in the field above, my brother and l could go in this pub and have Smith's crisps and a lemonade with our then parents-childhood memories of the 50's- l stayed there B&B in the 90's was lovely then- shame somebody has to ruin it.
Martin Baker 1980s-1990s This was the best pub, in the village. Yes, it was very small, but this was its very charm! Our family had a caravan at through the 1950s and We loved the village. Much later, I made several holiday visits; an elderly 'local' regular who would take his black Labrador into the pub and we witnessed a thirsty - and knowing - pet, finishing all the 'alcoholic dregs'. "He takes a rather long way 'ome, on all that beer!", the old chap remarked
Andy & Wendy Williamson 1983 We used to camp in fresh water caravan park & walk across the fields to get to this beautiful little pub the dove inn the land lady served the best plough mans lunch ever in the little garden at the rear with home made bread & pickle etc Gutted to here it's closed as we always wanted to go back one day :(( Maybe we'll take a packed lunch and trespass in one of the gardens :)
Keith Franklin 1963-2001 My family started coming on holiday staying at the old coastguard caravan centre (originally owned by Captain DeForth) from 1963 and I have been here every year since. We always walked to the Dove every evening for a drink and crisps. Used to get Morris dancers and various traditions like rolling cider barrels up the hill to the cliffs. Shame it closed.
 
Other Photos
Date of photo: 1944

Picture source: Imperial War Museum

Date of photo: 2015

© Copyright John Stephen and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.