GBPA Punch Pub of the Year: The Wise Man Inn

This picturesque pub, set in the Dorchester countryside, captured judges attention from the kerb with a stunning exterior that was only enhanced by a beautiful interior to match.

Run by Philip Postlethwaite, the pub describes itself as a traditional village pub that also offers rustic gastro cuisine, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Service standards were first rate, with judges particularly impressed with the teams welcome and attention to detail, the food and drink offer is superb, with a strong offer on wine, as well as beers and spirits, all of which has been carefully curated to match what is on the menu.

Food is a particular passion for the pub, offering great dishes, all cooked on site using the freshest ingredients sourced from the local area. Menus are changed four to five times a year, according to the season and the team are allowed to get creative with the specials offer. 

High quality sourcing

Philip says he likes to source high quality products that can speak for themselves on the menu and offers a mix that provides a collision of world flavours and rural Dorset and Great British classics.

This is a pub that boasts a long history, with a pub standing on the site for over 400 years, and Philip has been running it for the past 11 with a strong core team, one of which has been with him for nine of those 11 years.

A strong focus on training, mostly done in house, ensures the team continues to maintain the high standards and a recent investment in the outdoor space has given the business a huge boost in the post-covid world.

Judges said this was a great example of the traditional Great British pub with a modern twist, bringing a first rate experience to anyone lucky enough to stumble across this little gem in the Dorset countryside.