A PUB has unofficially been named the best pub in east Dorset after bagging a second place finish at the Dorset Tourism Awards. 

The Old Thatch Pub, Wimborne, was given a silver award at the Dorset Tourism Awards behind The Acorn Inn in Dorchester. 

The pub has taken the second place to suggest that they are the best pub in East Dorset and are incredibly proud of the accolade. 

Managing partner Andy Lennox said: "We narrowly missed on first place but we were named the second best pub in Dorset which theoretically makes us the best pub in east Dorset because the other is in Evershot, which is quite far away. 

"We've spent an enormous amount of time and invested a lot of money into the community and the pub so it's nice for it to pay off."

Andy took over the pub in a joint venture in 2021. He described the site as 'run-down' and he and the rest of the team have spent time to restore the pub and invest in new features. 

The pub's car park was revamped and a store and new kids area, Bear Island Woods, was installed. 

Andy said: "We've still got a long way to go but we're getting there, I think for now, it's a year of letting everything bed in.

"We do lots of community stuff with loads of outdoor space for marquees and live music and all the kids play area, it's a proper family pub."

The pub also won the best eating experience award at the DMB Tourism Awards in November 2023 named joint winners with Jetty in Mudeford.

The pub employs just under 50 people who were just as excited by the news. 

Andy said: "It's a big team, there's loads of chefs and lots of young people, some of them whom it is their first job and they have done amazing so it's nice to see it pay off for them. 

"The pub wouldn't be here without the community. Everyone knows The Old Thatch but we want to be of the community and I feel we have got there which is lovely."