Chapelhay Tavern in Weymouth is our Pub of the Week

Chapelhay Tavern, at 36 Franchise Street, is a pub that's been at the heart of the Weymouth community since 1843. 

A group of five friends bought the lease a year ago, wishing to preserve its traditional pub charm while also paying homage to the town's maritime roots. 

Amongst them is Paddy Buckler. who now runs the pub with his wife Louise.

Paddy Buckler and Louise Whittenham who run the Chapelhay Tavern (Image: Katie Heyes) The couple chose to renovate the venue, to give it a "brighter" and fresher look while preserving its traditional "community boozer" charm. 

Paddy said: "After the COVID pandemic, a lot of the pubs struggled and this was becoming a little bit run down.

"When we took it over, it was a bit dark and dingy. The clientele would be one of those where if a stranger walked in, everyone would turn around and stare. 

"Now we’ve brightened it up. You get a nice friendly welcome as soon as you walk in the door." 

Interior of the Chapelhay Tavern (Image: Katie Heyes) Paddy also explains how they wish to honour the legacy of beloved landlord Micky Honnor - who ran the pub for 40 years - by restoring its bubbly atmosphere. 

He said: "We've brought the old ethos of the Chapelhay back.

"Micky was the landlord for a long time and it was was one of the most vibrant pubs in Weymouth.

"We’ve brought it into the 21st century but kept the whole quirkiness of the Chapelhay. It's a part of history and like a museum showcasing our seafaring heritage."

Ship plaques decorated on the wall of the Chapelhay Tavern (Image: Katie Heyes) As you walk into the venue, it's like stepping through a window in time, with the walls decorated with nautical memorabilia and historical artefacts from many different eras. 

Many of these have been donated by sailors who docked at Portland and tourists who have visited the pub over the years.

Navy uniform from World War 2 (Image: Katie Heyes) The pub is reportedly the third oldest in Weymouth. Before that, the building was originally two cottages and four small rooms and purchased by Eldridge Pope brewery in 1921.

It is the only pub serving the Chapelhay community after the former Prospect Inn - also a skittles pub - closed down in 2007 before being demolished. A small terrace of houses now stands on the site.

In honour of the enduring community support, a special mural has been created in the garden area which depicts all of the regular punters. 

Pictures of the outdoor mural of regular punters (Image: Katie Heyes) Since taking over pub, Paddy and Louise have seem beer sales triple, with all money made going back to supporting further developments for the pub. 

As such, the couple have managed to keep prices low, with every drink on offer below £5. This has also meant the pub has played host to weddings, birthday parties and skittles teams - all for free.

Skittles alley (Image: Katie Heyes) Speaking about their time so far running the Chapelhay Tavern, both agreed that it was a labour of love.

Paddy added: "It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had in my life. The day to day running of a pub is constant, I take my hat off to every single landlord in this country.

"Just keeping the doors open is our biggest achievement. 

"I absolutely love this place. There’s nowhere like it in Weymouth. I think it’s totally unique."

Propellers from old ships on display at the Chapelhay Tavern (Image: Katie Heyes) The Chapelhay Tavern was one of five Dorset pubs taken over by Admiral Taverns in November 2019 when the chain purchased 137 sites across England from pub group Marston's. 

It, along with the Horton Inn in Wimborne, The Crown at Winterborne Stickland; the Rose and Crown in Sherborne, and the Cashmoor Inn near Blandford, all formed part of the £45 million deal.