THE winner of the annual Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser Pub of the Year competition has been revealed.

The Mill Arms, in Dunbridge, received the most votes from Chronicle and Advertiser readers to take the top spot, beating out nine other pubs on the shortlist.

Owner Gina McDonald was thrilled to hear the news with more and more customers visiting the venue in Barley Hill each month.

Gina, 59, previously owned the Hunters Inn, in Romsey, but left last year to focus on the rural pub in Dunbridge which she brought back to life in 2017 after it had been closed.

READ MORE: Pub of the Year: 10 competing for the title in Winchester and Romsey

The publican said: “It’s fantastic. We’ve had so many customers come in and vote for us. I’m very pleased that we’ve got recognition from them for all of our hard work.

“We have gone through tough times. The pub was shut before we took it on so we took two years building it up again before Covid hit. But for the past six to nine months trade has really turned and we keep getting busier. We managed to hold our own and survive and now we’re thriving.

“We’ve got a very stable group of staff – many of which have been with me since we first opened. I’ve got some who started as teens and now come back in the holidays in between university.

Hampshire Chronicle: The Mill Arms teamThe Mill Arms team (Image: Gina McDonald)

“There’s a real family team feel to this place. I lead from the front and would never ask any of them to do something I wouldn’t.

“We’ve got our regulars but it’s also about making anyone who walks through the door feel like they’re in a friendly environment. The customers are so important and we’re thrilled that people see what we’re trying to do here.

SEE ALSO: Behind the bar at the tiny Hampshire boozer named best pub in the country

“Hopefully this will give us some more publicity. We’ve got Dunbridge Train Station opposite us and Mottisfont National Trust gardens up the road but we’re still quite remote and off the beaten track.

“Our chef Shaun Green has been a big draw. Trade has built up post covid with people knowing he is here and it's about continuing to let people know.”

Alongside chef Shaun is Gina’s sister and pub manager Lorna Burton with 15 members of staff in total.

The Mill Arms, in Barley Hill, also has six letting rooms and a function room. For more information go to millarmsdunbridge.co.uk/.

The nine other pubs on the shortlist were: 

  • Duke on the Test, Romsey  
  • Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge  
  • The Dolphin, Hursley  
  • The Golden Lion, Winchester 
  • The Hunters Inn, Romsey  
  • The Plough, Itchen Abbas  
  • The Tichborne Arms, Alresford 
  • The White Horse Hotel, Romsey  
  • The Willow Tree, Winchester