IT'S the cosy community pub that has been named the best in the country.
The family-friendly King Charles in Kings Worthy, which boasts a children's play area and outdoor pizza oven, has scooped The Griffin Trophy, for the Best Country/Village Pub in the Fuller’s Pub of the Year competition.
Known locally as The Charlie, it’s home to traditional pub food, delicious drinks and bags of outdoor space.
The King Charles, in Lovedon Lane, has been run by licensees Dawn and Darren Anchor for the past five years. They have invested heavily in the interior and the garden with fantastic results.
The Griffin Trophy is open to all Fuller’s 208 Managed Pubs and Hotels and 178 Tenanted Inns. Following an extensive selection process, the 12 finalists of The Griffin Trophy were visited by Chairman Michael Turner, Chief Executive Simon Emeny, and People & Talent Director Dawn Browne to choose the category and overall winners.
The prize for winning the category includes a £2,000 holiday voucher, a staff party, and an engraved plaque for the pub.
Dawn and Darren said: "We are so pleased to be recognised in this way. We love being a key part of our local community – ensuring our neighbours have a comfortable and homely place to visit. We’re proud of our team who work so hard to deliver fantastic service and know they will all be very excited about winning this award."
Fuller’s Chairman, Michael Turner, added: "The King Charles is a fantastic pub. Dawn and Darren bring such enthusiasm, and are outstanding in the way they devote time to ensuring all of their customers are happy and well looked after. Dawn and Darren are clearly aware of what their local community needs from the local pub and their offer is absolutely perfect for the location."
The pub, which was also a Glorious Gardens finalist, has a menu packed full of tasty home-cooked dishes featuring locally sourced produce. There's a range of options for vegans, vegetarians and coeliacs complemented by a variety of superb daily specials, with fresh fish every Friday and a superb Sunday roast to round off the week.
Behind the bar, there's a great selection of real ales, draught lagers, bottled beers and ciders, as well as a full range of wines, bubbles, spirits, soft drinks and coffees.
Stitch and Knit takes place every Monday with a Tuesday quiz.
A Christmas Carol will be performed at the pub on Thursday December 22.
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