Hare and Hounds delighted to be named Pub of the Year

The Hare and Hounds in Waytown is this year's best pub, as voted by our readers.

This Palmers pub is operated by husband and wife team, Bob and Jenny Bulman.

They took over the pub in 2020 and were open 17 days before the first lockdown, but persevered throughout the pandemic and are pleased with how the pub has turned out.

The Hare and Hounds (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Bob said: "After the lockdown, people started coming and it has got better and better. It has taken lots of decorating, lots of gardening and lots of hard work.

"We don't rush anything - slow Dorset life. It is a lovely spot."

The pub was built into a farmhouse and boasts a large pub garden and stunning views across the Dorset countryside.

All food is homemade by Jenny and the staff and includes a vegan menu. Bob, on the other hand, handles the front of house.

Bob added: "We get a lot of locals from all the villages and a lot of repeated holidaymakers who keep coming back year after year.

"Good quality homemade food brings a lot of people in.

"We try and look after our customers and treat them as friends. We like to call it a home from home."

The pub is dog-friendly and is frequently visited by walkers and cyclists. Bob and Jenny even recall someone bringing their parrot in.

Inside the pub (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

(Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

The pub itself doesn't advertise at all. "We just let people find us," Bob said. "People tell their friends, and we are busy.

"There are several reasons to visit us - if you like the peace and quiet and relaxing and escaping for a bit, we got it right, we think."

The inside of the pub seats 34 people, but there are quite a few benches outside for those in the garden.

The summer opening hours (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Jenny added: "A lot of hard work goes into it, but we have really lovely customers who are nice and keep coming back. We are delighted to have won.

"The reason we came here was because we liked the countryside, this is perfect for us no doubt about it.

"We are very blessed we can live the life of Dorset here."

The pub garden (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Described as Palmer's 'most seasonal pub', it is open every day but Tuesday in the summer, but only on the weekends in the winter.

It is requested that anyone intending to visit books ahead, purely so they can make sure there is enough room.

Bob and Jenny would like to thank their summertime staff; Heather, Izzy, Eliza, Matt and Geoff the gardener, their customers, and Palmers Brewery for their support.