The Acorn Inn, run by the enthusiastic and experienced management team of Natalie and Richard, is that increasingly rare thing – a traditional village pub full of life, laughter and good company, but with an award-winning restaurant that’s a star attraction in its own right. Built-in the 16th century from honey-coloured local stone, this historic coaching inn still retains its original historical character and charm. Thomas Hardy mentions it as ‘The Sow & Acorn’ in ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ and the style, with its old beams, low ceilings, oak panelling, flagstone floors and roaring open fires is little changed from his era.
Awards, Accolades and Associations
2024
Visit England Awards for Excellence – Awarded ‘Silver’ for ‘Pub of the Year’
South West Tourism Excellence Awards – Awarded ‘Gold’ for ‘Pub of the Year’
Dorset Tourism Awards – Awarded ‘Gold’ for ‘Pub of the Year’
AA 2 Rosettes Award – Culinary Excellence
2022
South West Tourism Excellence Awards – Awarded ‘Silver’ for ‘Pub of the Year’
Dorset Tourism Awards – Awarded ‘Gold’ for ‘Pub of the Year’
2021
The Sunday Telegraph – Named one of the 25 ‘Best Pubs for Walkers’
The Times – Named one of the ‘25 Best’ Country Pubs
The Good Pub Guide – Best County Dining Pub
2020
The Good Pub Guide – Best County Dining Pub
2019
Sustainable Restaurant Association – Food Made Good 2 Star Accreditation
Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards – Chef of the Year – Robert Houngu
2018
Dorset Tourism Awards – Responsbile, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism, Bronze Award
Dorset Tourism Awards – Tourism Pub of the Year, Gold Award
Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards – Pub of the Year
Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards – Chef of the Year Finalist – Robert Ndunga
South West Tourism Excellence Awards – Tourism Pub of the Year, Silver Award
Telegraph Newspaper – Listed in the Top 25 Dog Friendly Pubs
Highly rated in Alastair Sawday’s ‘Special Places to Stay’
2017
Telegraph Travel – Listed as one of the 10 perfect Country Pubs with Rooms
Awarded Best Country Dining Pub in Good Pub Guide
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – Voted No. 7 in the Top Hotels in the United
Kingdom
The Times – Voted No. 3 in the 30 Best Summer Pubs
Gold Winner in the Taste of the West Awards
Gold Winner of the Dorset Tourism Awards, Tourism Pub of the Year category
TripAdvisor – Certificate of Excellence
Highly rated in Alastair Sawday’s ‘Special Places to Stay’
