REVIEW: Guy Ritchie's Dorset Airfield Restaurant, Lore of the Sky

We sent our Business Editor and PR Emma Collins and her husband David over to Lore of The Sky to try out the food and check out the location. This is Emma’s review …

 

 

 

 

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We're always searching for places that are a little bit special. Don't get me wrong, we love fine dining and the occasional fancy restaurant, but what we really love are destination venues. The hidden gems. The places with a story. The places you discover and immediately start telling your friends about.

So, when we were invited to visit Lore of the Sky at Compton Abbas Airfield on behalf of Total Guide to Dorset, we were genuinely excited.

We'd heard great things, loved the story behind it, and were intrigued by the setting.

The drive from Poole is beautiful, winding through some of Dorset's most stunning countryside before arriving at what feels like one of the county's best-kept secrets.

And what a setting.

The restaurant is amongst rolling hills and breathtaking views; Lore of the Sky sits proudly at the historic airfield where planes still take off and land throughout the day. During our visit there were Spitfires on display as part of a special event, adding even more character and history to an already unique venue.

Thankfully the weather was kind to us, but honestly, I don't think it would have mattered.

Whether you're heading there for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and cake or simply a drink with friends, Lore of the Sky has a warmth about it that makes it feel inviting whatever the weather.

One feature we particularly loved was the outdoor drinks bar, cleverly housed inside a converted horsebox and perfectly positioned amongst the outdoor seating. It gives the whole venue a relaxed, festival-style feel and is the perfect place to grab a drink while taking in the scenery of the Dorset countryside.

The atmosphere was wonderful.

Families were enjoying lunch outside, aviation enthusiasts were admiring the aircrafts, and a steady stream of bikers arrived to collect stamps for the Bike + Brew Passport scheme. If you're a biker and haven't heard of it, it's well worth checking out. The initiative encourages riders to discover unique destinations across the country while supporting good causes, and Lore of the Sky feels like the perfect stop-off.

Inside, the restaurant is every bit as impressive.

Owned by Guy Ritchie, it's clear a huge amount of thought has gone into creating a venue that feels both stylish and welcoming. The interiors are warm and characterful without being pretentious, blending perfectly with the countryside surroundings and aviation heritage. It feels like somewhere you instantly want to spend time.

One of our favourite features was the open-plan kitchen.

We had the pleasure of meeting Head Chef Chris, whose passion for food was immediately obvious. Having personally developed the menu, he spoke enthusiastically about the dishes, local produce and the experience he wants guests to enjoy. There was a genuine buzz amongst the kitchen team and a real sense of pride in what they were creating.

The menu celebrates local ingredients and smokehouse cooking, with Dorset produce featured throughout. You'll find everything from Weymouth crab thermidor and Ashcombe Estate beef to Blackmore Vale pork, Bridport cured meats and Dorset smoked cheddar, alongside creative dishes that showcase the team's skill and imagination.

We started with a selection of small plates to share.

The smoked brisket croquettes with celeriac slaw were packed with flavour, but the standout dish for us had to be the fennel pork belly burnt ends with miso and maple glaze.

Absolutely incredible.

Sticky, smoky, rich and perfectly balanced. The sort of dish you order once and then spend the rest of the week thinking about.

Alongside these we enjoyed the Bridport cured meats and Dorset smoked red cheddar, creating the perfect sharing platter to accompany a drink and those spectacular views.

For our main course we sampled the Ashcombe Estate short rib of beef served with grits, beer jus and collard greens.

Wow.

The beef was beautifully tender, packed with flavour and clearly showcased the quality of the local produce being used. It's one of those dishes that makes conversation stop for a moment because you're too busy enjoying every mouthful.

The drinks offering deserves a special mention too.

It's clear that as much thought has gone into the drinks menu as the food.

Alongside local favourites including Hawkstone Session Lager, Eight Arch Sunrise IPA and Air Lore Ale, there is an impressive selection of wines, cocktails, mocktails and low-alcohol alternatives. We loved how the aviation theme runs throughout the menu, with names such as The Flying Officer, Flight Deck, Clear Skies and Sunset View adding another layer of personality to the experience.

My husband thoroughly enjoyed both the Hawkstone Lager and the Air Lore Ale, while I was genuinely impressed by the mocktail selection. Too often, non-drinkers are left with little more than a soft drink menu, but here there are thoughtfully created options that feel every bit as special as the alcoholic cocktails.

It's these little details that make Lore of the Sky feel different. There is a real effort to champion local producers while ensuring everyone feels included, whether they're enjoying a pint, a cocktail, a glass of wine or a carefully crafted alcohol-free alternative.

One thing that particularly stood out to us was the flexibility Lore of the Sky now offers.

Open seven days a week, the venue welcomes guests from breakfast through to dinner, with extended evening opening hours until 10pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

For us, that's a game changer.

It's so easy after work to head home, put on your comfiest clothes, switch on the television and let another evening drift by. We're just as guilty of it as anyone else, but places like Lore of the Sky remind you why it's worth making the effort sometimes.

A beautiful drive through the Dorset countryside.

A drink overlooking rolling hills.

Watching the sun begin to set over the airfield.

A great meal.

A proper conversation.

A chance to make memories rather than scroll through your phone.

We could easily imagine meeting friends here after work, sharing a taxi and making a proper evening of it. The setting, the atmosphere and the food make it feel like an occasion without any of the fuss.

And with a packed programme of events throughout the year, including the upcoming Lore of the Sky Fest, there are plenty of reasons to return time and time again.

Perhaps the most moving thing we saw during our visit was about a 90-year-old man who fulfilled a lifelong dream by flying in a Spitfire in the same 90th year anniversary since the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire. Watched by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they all cheered, clapped and waved flags.

It perfectly sums up what Lore of the Sky is all about.

Stories, experiences and memories.

As Dorset locals, we're always looking for places that make us fall in love with our county all over again and Lore of the Sky did exactly that. In fact, before we'd even left, we were already discussing when we could come back. We've now booked for Father's Day. Somehow, I don't think that will be our last visit.