Meet Your Local

by Laura Hitchcock

Meet Your Local: The Trooper Inn, Stourton Caundle

Our regular column in which you discover the faces and stories behind the pub sign. This month we’ve been chatting to John & Debbie who run The Trooper Inn at Stourton Caundle.

The Trooper Inn in Stourton Caundle - once used to enlist young men for battle, hence the name The Trooper!

The Trooper Inn is run by husband and wife team Debbie & John.

How did you end up at The Trooper?

To cut a long story short, we were looking for a normal house in an entirely different area! The Trooper Inn popped up on the internet and John jokingly said, ‘Deb do you fancy having a look?’ Surprisingly, I said yes and we popped over on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The pub was shut and no one was in sight. We decided to have a look around Stourton Caundle village and just fell in love with it, it’s a magical place. As we strolled around everyone said hello to us no matter what age they were. Very unexpected - we lived in Poole and people tended to only say hello if you had a dog! We then did some research and turned up for the special Friday Fish & Chips, and again the people in the pub sold the lifestyle to us, they were so friendly and everyone spoke to us. We then viewed the property and we haven’t looked back; we moved in on 1st November 2019, opened on 19th December and closed for the first lockdown on 23rd March... blimey what a journey we’ve had!

What’s your favourite local place to visit on an afternoon off?

We love walking round the surrounding countryside and visiting other local pubs such as The White Hart and The Olde Ox, it’s always good to chat with other landlords and compare notes, especially as we have never run a pub before!!

Tell us about your 2020/21

It has been an extraordinary period for us. There are 6 of us living at the pub - our two sons with their partners, me and John along with the pub pup Trooper (aka Fluffball.)

Bentley showing off his favourite Hambledon Hill route John with Trooper (aka Fluffball!)

We have offered takeaways while we have been shut, and we have also kept ourselves busy working on and improving the pub. Last year we received a small grant so we set to task to clear out the old, unused car park to the rear of the pub and transform it into a sunny courtyard; we are really pleased with the result, and everyone says how relaxing the area is, making them feel like they are on holiday. It is also a great space for get-togethers like weddings and birthday parties - we’ve also held some wakes there too because it is such a peaceful, private spot and can be separated from the pub area at the front. This year we are putting a lot of energy into setting up the tiny campsite at the bottom of the pub garden area. It takes 5 motorhomes and 10 tents and is a pure piece of the countryside.

What are you most prioud of?

I am very proud of the Trooper family team and their sheer determination to keep going no matter what Covid has thrown at us - and its goes without saying the continued support and interest from some amazing villagers who have never stopped using our takeaway service and offered such friendly enthusiasm whilst the pub has been closed or open. Stourton Caundle is a wonderful place to live in and the local farmer Alban Harris of Brunsell Farm is always on hand to help with the campsite, bless his cotton socks!

All welcome to stop for a break at the Trooper!

What part of the pub is your absolute favourite?

The pub is just so charming with loads of history, you can feel that when you sit out front in the sunshine by the little bubbling brook, opposite Manor Farm that used to belong to Enid Blyton. Here you can watch the tractors, horses and the occasionally sheep go by!

Long ago the pub was used to enlist young men for battle, hence the name The Trooper

Inn. We’ve also just had a lovely wood burner installed so the winter evenings are extremely cosy to enjoy your pint with.

Which dish is your most popular?

Friday Fish & Chips is the winner, followed by our Wednesday hot pots and Sunday lunches. What’s better in life than sat outside a tiny pub in the middle of nowhere with a freshly cooked meal and a delicious cool pint of ale, cider or a delicious glass of wine?

What’s next - do you have big plans on the horizon?

We always have big plans - watch this space! Subject to the Covid guidelines we will be open, we have plenty of outdoor space and the campsite will hopefully be up and running from late April subject to weather. If you are looking for a small piece of escapism in the Dorset countryside, give us a call and book your space, we’d love to see you! John, Debbie, James, Jo, Joe, Tracy & Trooper the Fluffball

Oh, how we love a UK holiday...

It’s looking very likely that most of us will be scrambling for one again this year. Whether it’s Cornwall (with over 300 miles of coastline it’s got to be the ultimate in UK beach holidays) or the wild emptiness of Northumberland, there’s something to suit everyone (except perhaps guaranteed sunshine, obviously). We’ve amazing beaches (from the busy hustle of a kitsch Victorian seaside resort to the vast sandy emptiness of our wilder coastlines), wild moorland and empty peaks. We’ve more stately homes and castles than you can throw a stick at, and we’ve not even started on the fabulous food & drink scene. It’s easy to understand why so many families don’t only choose the UK when foced by a glocal pandemic, but choose a UK break year after year.

And now restrictions are easing it’s all opening up for us this summer. I think the most perfect option right now is our own personal favourite; a cottage holiday – a home-from-home that is all yours for your stay. But you have to be quick - they’re booking up so fast. We’ve scoured the listings to find our absolute top favourite cottages for your UK Family Adventure this year; just click a cottage for more details... all had availability at time of press during the summer holidays for a family of four, I promise!

Dove Hot Tub Cottage Northumberland

Pretty garden and an adjacent meadow for summer evenings, with outdoor seating to enjoy the striking country views. Close to a fabulous beach and excellent canoeing and surfing Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, all ground floor. 7nts Aug £1527

Honeysuckle Cottage Pembrokeshire

Set down a quiet lane with stunning views from both sides, and walks from the door, and close to the wide beaches of the Welsh coast.

Character cottagesleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, both en suite.

7nts Aug £818

The Stone Byre Barnard Castle

The pretty cottage is full of character inside, and outside has a small pretty private patio, ideal for summer evenings enjoying panoramic views of beautiful unspoilt countryside.

Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £808

Calcot Peak Barn, Gloucs.

A wonderful barn conversion remotely located with stunning views across the Cotswold countryside Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £1152

Pond Cottage, Devon.

A beautiful reverse-level barn conversion in the heart of Dartmoor with ground floor bedrooms and open plan first floor living area. Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £1543

North Lodge, Herefordshire.

A Regency cottage orné with rustic charm by the bucket. A large garden has wonderful views and direct access to the Malvern Hills. Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £1297

Lavender Cottage, Peak District.

A homely detached cottage with separte living and dining rooms, a pretty garden, and the Peaks yours for exploring. Sleeps 5 in 3 bedrooms

7nts Aug £1043

Bracken Beck, Cumbria

Stunning cottage in Garsdale, with reverse level living, open plan first floor living and entry on both floors. Sleeps 5 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £910

Old Vicarage Cottage, Hay on Wye.

Grade II listed, 17th century semi-detached cottage which is a comfy home-from home with a pretty garden Sleeps 5 in 2 bedrooms

7nts Aug £872