Pub of the Week: The Rising Sun has a large beer garden

Located in the heart of Wimborne, The Rising Sun is undergoing refurbishments and boasts a new, cosy interior with home-cooked pub classics.

Visitors to the pub can expect intimate candle-lit dinners, comfortable seating, and the option of outside seating under a stretch tent if it's raining or next to the river under the cover of a majestic willow tree.

Shelley Sims took over the tenancy for the pub with her partner James in 2022, intending to turn the previous late-night venue into a place where 'everyone is welcome.'

Shelley said: "I envisioned a community pub that is dog-friendly and family-friendly, and people can come for a really nice home-cooked meal.

"I have tried to make it more inclusive, a place where single women feel comfortable coming in on their own and having coffee."

Shelley has been working in the pub industry on and off since she was 13. Now aged 38, she said: "I have got the bug for it. I love seeing people having a good time.

"I get goosebumps when people are enjoying themselves."

The Rising Sun is a Hall and Woodhouse pub that serves a plethora of beer, IPA, and ciders, including Fosters, Amstel, Birra Moretti, Guinness, and Thatcher's Gold.

Shelley: "We want our prices to be reasonable so everyone can come and drink here.

"We serve homemade pies, roast dinners, and really lovely home-cooked dinners for a reasonable price."

The Rising Sun has recently won The Best Newcomer Award at the Hall and Woodhouse Business Partnership Awards 2024.

Shelley said: "It was amazing to be nominated because we were up against some really good pubs, but to win, I was blown away."

Live music is played at the pub on Saturdays from 5-7pm which varies from rock to country and jazz.

Shelley said: "We have a mixture of music for people to enjoy.

"We're getting known to be quite a good live music venue on a Saturday, and obviously, being so early, people can bring their kids."