I visited UK’s ‘poshest’ McDonald’s near King’s ‘model village’ – it looks like a gastropub but it’s missing key feature

SURROUNDED by rolling fields and farmland, you’d be forgiven for thinking the whitewashed brick and stone building stood alone on a hill in rural Dorset was an upmarket gastropub.

But look a little closer and the small golden arches on the ‘pub sign’ give away you’ve actually pulled up at a branch of McDonald’s.

With beautiful surroundings, you could easily confuse this McDonald's restaurant for an upmarket gastropub — With beautiful surroundings, you could easily confuse this McDonald’s restaurant for an upmarket gastropubCredit: BNPS

One thing missing from the 'posh' McDonald's is a drive-thru — One thing missing from the ‘posh’ McDonald’s is a drive-thruCredit: BNPS

The Sun's Ben Endley visited the 'posh' fast food chain in Dorset — The Sun’s Ben Endley visited the ‘posh’ fast food chain in DorsetCredit: BNPS

The restaurant, located on Bridport Road near the A35 Monkey’s Jump roundabout, feeds tens of thousands of hungry motorists every day.

It’s nestled just yards away from the Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury estate, which King Charles had a hand in designing, and has gained a cult following on TikTok.

Fast food fans travel hundreds of miles for a Big Mac in what some have dubbed ‘Britain’s poshest McDonald’s‘.

One of the first things you notice is the car park is packed to bursting – and there’s no Drive-thru, which means many motorists eat their meals behind the wheel.

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One thing that is different about this McDonald’s is many of the farmers cultivating the fields surrounding the restaurant are its suppliers.

This means what you see growing through the window eventually ends up in your meal, although only after going through their massive industrialised supply chain first.

I’m a former McDonald’s chef and there’s a huge reason why Wendy’s bacon is consistently better than McDonald’s

Behind the counter, friendly and smiling staff are moving like clockwork to prepare orders.

A Quarter Pounder with Cheese with fries and a drink came out at £6.49 – a bargain compared to the £15 or more that many pubs and restaurants now charge for a burger.

And for those on a tight budget, McDonald’s offers a saver menu with items starting from as little as £1.19.

Within minutes the food had arrived warm and quickly.

McDonald’s says it has changed the cooking process lately to improve the taste and juiciness, but it must have been a subtle change as it tasted exactly the same as it always does.

Customers were surprised to hear the restaurant described as ‘posh’ or ‘quirky’, with many just appreciating the fast and convenient meal.

The restaurant, nestled among fields, looks nothing like a McDonald's from the outside — The restaurant, nestled among fields, looks nothing like a McDonald’s from the outsideCredit: BNPS

Happy customers Denise Howells with grandchildren, Corey, 10, Luca, 8, and Hugo, 5Credit: BNPS

Ben was surprised by how 'unremarkable' the restaurant was — Ben was surprised by how ‘unremarkable’ the restaurant wasCredit: BNPS

Amy Jenrick from Portsmouth said the restaurant was a regular stop for her and sons Rudi Tiddiman, eight, and Milo, four, on the way to visit family in Cornwall.

She said: “That’s blown my mind, the poshest McDonald’s? I didn’t know that. Maybe posh areas don’t have McDonald’s.

“This is our little pit stop on the way to Cornwall. It’s good for the kids, they are happy, we can always sit here, there is a nice turnover of people and the staff are lovely.

“The food has been lovely, the food is easy and quick.”

Rudi added: “I just like the chips – we look forward to stopping here.”