Overview

• The Telegraph published its inaugural 500 Best Pubs in England guide in early July to champion venues threatened by widespread closures.
• Pub expert Will Hawkes visited every ceremonial county and evaluated establishments on character, history, atmosphere and beer quality.
• Eight Dorset pubs, from The Vine Inn in Wimborne to The Three Horseshoes in Burton Bradstock, earned places for their unique heritage and welcoming ambiance.
• Over the past five years more than 2,250 British pubs have closed, driving the guide’s aim to boost footfall at top community hubs.
• A reader poll by Bournemouth Echo has since confirmed The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers as Dorset’s preferred village pub, reinforcing local engagement in preservation efforts.