An historic pub with ambition to gain a prestigious dining award has reopened its doors after refurbishment.

The Elm Tree Inn at Langton Herring near Weymouth has just welcomed a new management team and is this week's Pub of the Week.

Husband and wife team, Paul and Sasha Clarke join the Elm Tree Inn as head chef and manager.

The Elm Tree Inn is operated by Dorset-based Electric Pubs. Paul first joined the Electric Pub Company, as head chef at the Worlds End, Almer in 2020 after developing his career in hotels and restaurants.

Paul is a classically trained chef, who started his career at 13, following in family footsteps of his grandfather, a Royal Navy chef of 25 years.

He 'lives and breathes food' and is determined that his team will deliver the very best with every plate. His kitchen ethos is to cook with love, respect and passion, letting the ingredients sing.

Paul said: “I have a huge interest in and love of food, for local, traceable ingredients. My aim is for our customers to enjoy an exceptional experience from the moment they arrive. The Elm Tree is an absolutely stunning place to be, one of the most beautiful pubs in Dorset and beyond. We want our customers to leave with a ‘wow’ factor, to have one of the absolute best pub experiences in the area. It is a very exciting time to be showcasing fantastic local Dorset ingredients and I believe by using the best, well farmed produce it will sing out, the flavour profiles of these products are outstanding and, with these, we can deliver exceptional food."

 

Paul is joined by sous chef Emma Dedman, who has previously worked at the Langham, London; French ski resorts and in Australia before working alongside Paul in recent years. Emma and Paul are both ambitious chefs who share a passion and love of food, together with the desire to gain a 2 AA Rosette dining award for the Elm Tree Inn.

Sasha brings a wealth of hospitality experience from the wedding industry to front of house and is looking forward to her new challenge of managing the wonderful Elm Tree Inn.

Sasha said: “We are very excited to be welcoming guests to the Elm Tree. Our aim is simple, to serve delicious, innovative food with a friendly and attentive service, using local suppliers and produce. From our Ruby Red beef from Mark & Lisa Parsons at Bagnell Farm, home grown ales and lagers from our friends at Lyme Regis Brewery, to our wonderful bespoke wine selection from our partners at Morrish & Banham wine merchants."

In the very heart of the village of Langton Herring, The Elm Tree is a 17th century country pub, a place of character and history, once upon a time being frequented by smugglers and ‘wreckers’ and it is said to be haunted. During the war, Barnes Wallis stayed there when the bouncing bomb was being tested on the Fleet and it was even the secret rendezvous for Russian spies during the Cold War.

Today the Electric pub company has transformed the building into a wonderful inviting pub, offering a warm atmosphere with cosy fireplaces, the Elm bar and a snug to relax by the fire. Under the Electric Pub company, the Elm Tree has developed a reputation as an outstanding venue for local Dorset food and drink with a broad selection of real ales and ciders sourced locally, championing local drink partners and the best of locally produced meat and seafood.

Alasdair Warren, Chairman of Electric Pubs, said “We are delighted to be reopening with Paul & Sasha at the helm. The Elm Tree is a must visit venue in a stunning location. We aim to have a strong emphasis on Dorset produce and are delighted that Paul and Sasha will be serving our own home-grown lamb this season, reared at our Netherbury farm by David Gape and team.”

Current opening times are: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday Food 12.00 – 14.30, 18.00 – 20.30. Bar 11.00 -23.00 Sunday Food 12.00 – 14.00. Bar 12.00 – 18.00.

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