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The monarch poured a pint of Fursty Ferret - the Dorset-based brewer and pub operator’s amber ale.
During the visit, the King and Queen also met a number of the organisation’s chef and brewing apprentices as well as the team behind the local Teddy Rocks festival - a charitable event, which the brewer and pub operator has supported since 2019. The festival has raised more than £1m to children’s cancer charities.
Company chairman and seventh generation custodian Anthony Woodhouse said: “It’s an immense privilege to welcome the King and Queen to Blandford during such a remarkable moment for our business.
Future success
He added: “We’re celebrating our first 250 years and have sights firmly set on success for many more generations ahead.
“We’ve expanded our apprenticeship schemes in recent years, building and growing our team for the future and it was an honour to introduced their Majesties to some of our apprentices.
“We are incredibly proud of our heritage and are committed to continuing the success of the company for the benefit of communities now and for generations to come.
“Our support for extraordinary charity initiatives such as Teddy Rocks festival remains a non-negotiable and we’re more committed than ever to reducing our impact on the planet and inspiring positive change for our environment.”
Coronation commemoration
During the visit, head brewer Toby Heasman presented the King with a bottle of Coronation Ale, which was made in honour of the monarch coming to the throne.
The royals also unveiled a commemorative plaque that honour’s Hall & Woodhouse’s first quarter of a century, which is displayed within its Brewery Tap bar and café, in the Victorian maltings of the original brewery.
Earlier this year (February), Hall & Woodhouse revealed it had injected more than £2.5m into its tenanted business partner arm in 2025.
