The Ropemakers in Bridport has been named Pub of the Year.

The accolade comes from the West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which said it was a 'superb example of a friendly all-ages pub' and there was 'a real community feel to the pub as soon as you walk through the door'.

The Ropemakers, in West Street, is run by Palmers licensees John and Geraldine Baker who are now in their 15th year of running the town centre pub.

They said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as West Dorset CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2022.

"This is a wonderful reward for us and our fantastic staff and loyal customers. We have just completed 14 years at the Ropemakers and still love it! We see the Ropemakers as very much a community pub, catering for coffee drinkers, diners, quizzers, music lovers, and of course real ale drinkers - we are pleased to have been included in the Good Beer Guide for the last eight years."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Rich Gabe of West Dorset CAMRA presents Geraldine and John Baker their West Dorset Pub of the year award

Various groups and clubs meet in the pub with various activities taking place. The pub hosts dog walking clubs, cheese nights and quiz nights to name but a few, and there's live music from a broad range of musicians and groups on the circuit.

CAMRA says the layout of the pub's interior is deceptive as it is divided into numerous themed areas and stretches quite a distance out from the high street to Rope Walks with a rear partially covered courtyard entrance. The bar has a long bulkhead with cast iron columns taken from the old Eldridge Pope brewery of Dorchester.

The full selection of Palmers beers are served alongside seasonal specials. The interior is atmospherically lit and the walls adorned with bric-a-brac that includes Tilly lamps, fishing knots and crabbing pots, historical pictures of Bridport and old adverts of local businesses alongside Palmers memorabilia.

A diverse menu is served that caters for all tastes.

The award was presented to the Bakers at the Dorchester Beerex by CAMRA press and publicity officer Rich Gabe.

He said: "John and Geraldine thoroughly deserve this award; they are passionate about real ale and the pub, and take a genuine interest in their customers and staff, who they regard as friends. This is the first time that a Palmers pub has won this award and it's long overdue for the Ropemakers.”

The pub was independently judged by a group of West Dorset CAMRA volunteer judges and beat off stiff competition from various other nominated pubs. The pub will now go forward into the CAMRA Wessex regional finals.