Legendary Dorset country pub the Gaggle of Geese is on the market with Colliers International’s hotels division.
Offers over £325,000 have been invited for the award-winning pub near Buckland Newton – a favourite with TV grow-your-own guru Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – which Colliers International hotels director Peter Brunt describes as one of the South West’s finest pubs.
Departing owners Mark and Emily Hammick, who have run the popular Dorset watering hole for the past three and a half years, are intending to spend more time with their young family running their farm in the area.
Mark Hammick said the Gaggle of Geese, which featured in the first series of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage TV programme, is at the heart and soul of the community.
He said: “Buckland Newton is a thriving popular village with a village school, shop and post office, church and a number of small businesses in a close-knit community along with many clubs and societies. The pub offers a great opportunity for a couple to run not just a business but to have a lovely lifestyle and be the centre of a dynamic community.”
In addition to an exhausting list of industry awards for its beer and food the pub, midway between Dorchester and Sherborne, runs skittles and cricket teams, hosts a village fete, fireworks in aid of the village school and is a popular venue for weddings and parties.
The four acres of land includes an orchard and paddocks which hosts the famous twice yearly charity Goose Auction which is organised by the pub assisted by many local volunteers. In the last three years more than £20,000 has been raised for local charities.
Mark Hammick said: “We went back to pub basics with the bar looking like all pubs used to, that is to say someone’s front room where you can lounge in front of the fire on some comfy sofas.”
The Gaggle of Geese won Best Local Pub in the Taste of Dorset awards 2011, Best Country Pub Dorset Food & Drink Awards 2011 and was voted as a top 100 Famous Pub by Famous Grouse and The Telegraph.
It was awarded the Community Pub Award in the Alastair Sawday’s Pubs and Inns 2009 and has earned good reviews from Michelin and the AA pub guides.
The pub has also been accredited by the Direct from Dorset and Buy Dorset schemes which highlight top produce and suppliers from the county.
Hotels division director Peter Brunt said: “This is an outstanding country pub in one of the prettiest parts of the country and remains deservedly popular with locals and tourist trade alike.
“Mark and Emily have done a fantastic job running the place since 2008. There really is so much more to ‘The Gaggle’ than most village pubs, I have never had to sell a property which includes an option on the livestock too!”
