The Silent Woman | Bere Road | Coldharbour |Wareham | Dorset | BH20 7PA | 01929 552 909 | www.thesilentwoman.co.uk
Once a smugglers haunt, legend has it that an "unusual" Landlady (one who talked too much, heaven forbid!) gave away the smugglers' secrets in Wareham market place. Fearful of capture by the ever-present Excise Men, the smugglers silenced her by cutting out her tongue, thus creating that unique phenomenon "The Silent Woman". We aim to continue some of the traditions started by our predecessors, generations ago, albeit with a 21st Century twist!!
There has been a pub on this site for many years. Once a row of cottages, the Pub has been extended and converted over time. The old stable block and forge is now the dining area and retains some of the old cobb walls. The floors are uneven and the ceilings vary in height from bar to bar. Previous landlords include a Bailiff, a Farmer, a Gamekeeper's son and even a Postman!!
The Inn is now run by award-winning Richard and Denise Bell; professional Licensees with over 60 years combined experience.
A licence to serve liquor was first granted to enable the travelling stipendary priests to purchase refreshment as they moved about their parishes. The area around the Pub became known as a "Coldharbour", a safe place for a weary traveller to seek a harbour from the cold.
In the early days the pub was called The Angel but, due to it being named The Quiet Lady in Thomas Hardy's rather risque novel, The Return of the Native, changed it's name to The Silent Woman in the late 1920s or early 1930s.