A 17TH century pub in the centre of the community that has been transformed into an elegant gastro pub, kitchen and country store - The Old Thatch is your Pub of the Week.

Nestled in the Wimborne countryside, The Old Thatch was taken into a new direction less than a year ago with the ambition of turning it into a multi-award-winning business.

Restaurateur and local resident Andy Lennox teamed up with landlord Nick Pestana to bring a new lease of life into the watering hole by adding outdoor features and associated businesses to boost its offerings.

Andy said: “It is a quintessential British pub at the heart of its community with great pub food and possibly the best roast in Dorset.

“It offers everything. Of course, we have the pub and restaurant, but there is also our artisan country store - the Stapehill Stores & Bakery, our kids play area, the outside Thatchery Smokehouse, an outside bar and marquee offering quizzes, rugby and gigs, which have all been introduced over the last year or so.

"Looking forward to the rest of this year, we will be setting up a new outside woodland area and a new upcycling centre, which we are looking forward to showing off.”

Bournemouth Echo: The Old Thatch in Stapehill, Wimborne has been selected as our Pub of the Week

Having survived through the lockdown period and supporting its local community by providing takeaway meals for residents, the owners have also taken the time to home in specialities and perfect their “fresh and foraged” pub menu, which features a 14-hour confit pork belly, a trio of locally shot venison sausages and their well-renowned Sunday Roast.

Bournemouth Echo: The Old Thatch in Stapehill, Wimborne has been selected as our Pub of the Week

When asked what sets the pub apart from others in the area, Andy said: “Its higher quality, better run and has a passionate team who live in the community. It’s my local so we really do care and listen to what out they want.

“Our Sunday roast is perfect. We’ve spent 12 months fine-tuning it and we’re pretty proud of it now.

“We're streaming the Six Nations at the moment outside, so every game is on out TV. We’ve then got the Mother’s Day coming up which we are already taking bookings for.

“Most importantly its booking in advance for our Sunday roast which is currently fully booked every week. And, of course, we have our Thursday Night Quiz as well.”

The Old Thatch is Monday to Saturday 9am to 11pm and 9am to 8pm on Sundays, whilst their The Stapehill Stores & Bakery is open 9.30am to 4pm daily.