Locals loving new Lemon Tree restaurant on Dorset coast road

The newly opened Lemon Tree in Swyre replaces the former Bull Inn as a welcome pit stop on the B3157.

Dorset business partners Marianna Browning and Craig Davies took over the pub earlier this year, and in just 12 weeks managed to turn it into the ‘Mediterranean oasis’ which they had envisioned.

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

Marianna said: “The former owner ran a cracking pub back in its heyday. We knew that it had to stay as a pub because it’s part of the community.

“We wanted to open this lovely space as the pub it was with a few of our own bits and pieces and the lemons lend themselves to a Mediterranean theme.”

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

There are even lemon trees for sale at the venue.

Both business partners have backgrounds in hospitality with Marianna previously running a number of businesses in and around Dorset, including a café in West Bay and at present, Cherries Café at Abbey Farm.

Craig used to run the Barn Café in Lytchett Matravers.

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

With regard to the current economic climate, Marianna said: “Post Covid, venues are dropping like flies and in hospitality you just don’t know where you stand, it’s always different, you have to follow the change and move with it.”

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

The pair said their customers come from everywhere including Germany, the Netherlands, people staying at nearby holiday parks, as well as locals from Bridport, Weymouth and the surrounding areas.

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The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

Marianna added: “We are very careful to compliment the other businesses in the area and it’s great when people have more than one option of pubs and places to eat – it draws them to an area.”

When asked how she would describe the Lemon Tree, which reopened in April, Marianna and Craig said: “It’s a happy, bright, positive and relaxed. People always stay longer than they think.

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

“We want people to walk in on a grey day and be met with an oasis of colour and calm.

“We have a really lovely team here who are proud of the pub.”

The Lemon Tree (Image: Hollie Carr)

Children and dogs are welcome at the establishment and there is even a shop out the back if punters fancy taking home a little treat.