HARDY fans may be familiar with The Quiet Woman pub in his novel, Return of the Native.

The inspiration behind Hardy's inn sits just outside Wareham Forest in Cold Harbour and is known as The Silent Woman Inn.

The pub, which was known as The Angel until it was renamed during the 1920s shortly after Hardy's novel was published, is one of Dorset’s most historic.

Bournemouth Echo:

After six months of closure, The Silent Woman has re-opened with a top new chef, new menu and new manager, Danielle Brown, promising to return it as a family-friendly hub of the community.

“The Silent Woman has so much character and we really wanted to take this opportunity to re-launch it as a family-friendly hub of the community,” said Danielle, who has more than 13 years hospitality management experience in the Poole and Bournemouth area.

Bournemouth Echo:

And the pub’s parent company, Barr and Barrs Hospitality, is heavily investing in local job creation for the future.

Through the funding of culinary and hospitality training schemes in partnership with Weymouth College and Brockenhurst College, the schemes aim to provide young people in Dorset with skills to build successful careers and revive the sector over the coming years.

Nestled in Hardy’s heartland and the picturesque Wareham forest, the Silent Woman is a family-friendly pub focussing on serving delicious, locally sourced dishes and craft ales in a welcoming environment.

Bournemouth Echo:

Danielle said: “The beloved Wareham Forest pub, the Silent Woman, will finally be reopening under new management after six months of closure because of lockdown.

“The hospitality industry has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, no less in Dorset, and locals will be pleased to learn that the pub’s parent company, Barr and Barrs Hospitality, is heavily investing in local job creation.

“We have a new chef and updated menu with a strong focus on locally sourced produce.”

The Silent Woman will be offering 50 per cent off food through its self-funded ‘eat out to help out’ scheme throughout October.

Customers will be able to take advantage of the discount between Monday and Wednesday throughout the month.

Danielle added: “The vision for the pub under the new management is to create a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere for the local community.

"We will be focussing on delicious pub classic dishes, made from local ingredients and award-winning craft ales from local brewers Hall and Woodhouse.”

For more information and bookings visit www.thesilentwoman.co.uk.

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