The White Lion in Broadwindsor, near Beaminster, has been named Pub of the Year 2023 by the West Dorset Campaign fro Real Ale.

The pub is said to be a thriving example of a community-run pub, with a local management team running and overseeing the day-to-day routine. 

Kate Staff and her daughters Chloe and Louise have worked tirelessly to ensure the pub offers the best the local community can get. 

The pub was re-opened in April 2022, following an approach by Palmers Brewery to the local parish council to see if the community would be interested in running the White Lion.

Palmers is still involved with immense support for the pub and its well-being. 

The pub's finances were bolstered by a significant fund raising effort, with the main driving force coming from the late David Leader, who sadly passed away in March before the pub reopened.

Pub manager Kate Staff said: "It's a real honour to get this award and I would like to dedicate it to the late David Leader. This venture would not have happened without his tireless determination and enthusiasm for doing great things for the community. 

"It has been our priority to make The White Lion a success and to make David's vision a reality. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way."

West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale chair, Bruce Mead, commented: "It was fantastic the pub re-opened after a tremendous community effort, the White Lion at Broadwindsor is fine example of a traditional country village pub and a clear winner of our pub of the year competition."

The pub internally has been totally refurbished with walls stripped back to the original stonework, a flag stoned bar area, oak wooden flooring with comfortable seating ranging from farm house style dining tables and chairs to leather sofas and armchairs, with the main bar and fire place being focal points. A portrait of a white lion adorns a wall. 

A good selection of Palmers beers are available with the award-winning TallyHo! being a permanent beer.

The pub is community-based and hosts many events, such as live music, carol singing, fundraisers, quizzes and bingo nights. 

On a Tuesday you can even bring in fish and chips from the local takeaway van. 

With the rising cost of energy, the pub has been declared a local 'warm hub' from 11am to 5pm on Saturdays until further notice with free tea, coffee and newspapers. 

The pub is also dog friendly and produces a newsletter 'The White Lion Roars'.

The award was presented by members of West Dorset CAMRA at the Dorchester Beerex festival last week, where a late presentation for the 2022 Pub Garden of the Year was also made to The Thimble Inn in Piddlehinton.

Kate and her team at the White Lion will now go into the next stage of the competition – the Wessex region final where they will face strong competition from pubs from the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, East Dorset, Wiltshire and the Channel Islands.