White Lion pub in Bourton win West Dorset CAMRA award

The White Lion pub in Bourton, just north of Gillingham, was crowned the winner for the second year in a row.

On hearing of winning the award again, landlord Stuart Knowles said: ”On behalf of my business partner William Smith, we are totally delighted to win again, do come and visit the garden when it is in full bloom, it’s all down to a team effort”.

West Dorset CAMRA Chairman Bruce Mead, said: ”As pub gardens go, The White Lion at Bourton is hard to beat. It is a beautiful space to relax and enjoy a drink in the sun.

“To retain the title against some very stiff competition is an amazing feat. There were some other serious contenders for the title this year. Can they up their game, and stop The White Lion completing a hat-trick of titles?”

The White Lion in Bourton (Image: The White Lion) Set on a hillside, the pub’s garden boasts stunning views offering terraced, paved dining areas, rose covered archways, a band stand draped with wisteria, parasols from Bali, a large chicken and duck aviary as well as a herb garden used for the pub’s restaurant kitchen. Transformations to the ground started in November 2014 when the Inn became a free house.