The King and Queen made a brief but high-profile stop in Blandford St Mary on Thursday as part of a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of the Hall & Woodhouse Badger Brewery.
Royal visit highlights brewery milestone
King Charles III and Queen Camilla toured the brewery near Blandford Forum where they met staff, including apprentices, and were shown elements of the brewing process. During the visit they even pulled a pint themselves, a light-hearted moment captured by photographers.
"It's an immense privilege to welcome The King and Queen to Blandford during such a remarkable moment for our business," said Anthony Woodhouse, chairman and seventh generation custodian of Hall & Woodhouse.
The company is marking a quarter of a millennium in business this year, a milestone that underlines its long-standing ties to the local community and to Dorset's hospitality sector. Hall & Woodhouse has said it has expanded its apprenticeship provision in recent years to grow its workforce for the future, and the royal couple met some of those apprentices during the visit.
Local impact and community interest
Such royal attention is likely to raise the profile of both the brewery and Blandford Forum, with potential knock-on benefits for tourism and local trade. The visit took place at Hall & Woodhouse's Badger Brewery site and was followed by engagements at Blandford Forum Town Hall and the Corn Exchange, keeping the focus on the town centre for much of the day.
- Occasion: 250th anniversary of Hall & Woodhouse Badger Brewery
- Location: Badger Brewery, Blandford St Mary, Dorset
- Royal visitors: King Charles III and Queen Camilla
- Local participants: brewery staff and apprentices
| Date | Event | Locations visited |
|---|---|---|
| 16 July 2026 | Launch of 250th anniversary celebrations | Badger Brewery (Blandford St Mary), Blandford Forum Town Hall, Corn Exchange |
The brewery's chairman, Anthony Woodhouse, described the visit as an honour and highlighted the firm's ambitions to continue growing. He noted the emphasis on apprenticeships as part of that future planning, a practical step in securing skilled staff for the brewing and hospitality sectors.
For residents and businesses in Blandford Forum, the royal visit is likely to be a talking point over the coming days and may attract visitors over the anniversary period. Those interested in the brewery's anniversary programme should consult Hall & Woodhouse's official channels for details of public events and any special offers.
Photographs from the engagement show the royal couple meeting local people and being introduced to brewery operations; images of the King and Queen pulling a pint are among the widely circulated pictures from the visit.
