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Awards & Recognition
At The Old House at Home, we believe a great pub should contribute far more to its community than simply serving great food and drink.
Our work in community engagement, sustainability, staff development, hospitality and fundraising has now been recognised at local, regional and national level.
We are incredibly proud of every award and nomination, and especially grateful to our team, customers, local businesses and the wider Dormansland community who make these achievements possible.
BII Heart of the Community Award
WINNER 2026
We are delighted to have been recognised by the British Institute of Innkeeping as a Heart of the Community Award winner.
The award celebrates pubs that go above and beyond for their communities, recognising the role pubs play in bringing people together, supporting good causes and creating stronger local connections.
At The Old House at Home, community involvement is part of everyday life - from charity quizzes and fundraising events to supporting local organisations and businesses, creating activities that bring different generations together and making the pub a welcoming place for everyone.
The BII described us as “a driving force within your community” and said our dedication “shines through in all that you do.”
We are incredibly proud of this recognition because it reflects exactly what we want The Old House at Home to be: not simply a pub located in Dormansland, but a pub that belongs to Dormansland.
BII National Innovation in Training Awards - Sustainability Award, Ind
WINNER 2025
The Old House at Home won the national Best Training Programme: Sustainability Award - Individual Site at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s National Innovation in Training Awards.
The NITAs celebrate businesses and individuals putting people, training, development and sustainability at the heart of hospitality.
Our award recognised the way sustainability has been embedded into everyday life at the pub, particularly through staff training and encouraging our whole team to understand and contribute to our environmental goals.
Michael Foxwell was named as the award winner for The Old House at Home, which he runs alongside Julia Foxwell.
Read more / publicity:
• British Guild of Beer Writers - NITAs 2025 winners announcement
• British Guild of Beer Writers - Shepherd Neame wins a trio of NITA accolades
Shepherd Neame Sustainable Pub of the Year
WINNER 2026
We were thrilled to be named Sustainable Pub of the Year at the Shepherd Neame Pub Awards 2026.
The award recognises our continuing commitment to making sustainability part of the everyday operation of The Old House at Home.
Our initiatives have included reducing waste, encouraging cycling, improving energy and water efficiency, reusing and repurposing materials, supporting biodiversity, growing produce and involving both our team and customers in practical environmental projects.
Shepherd Neame’s judges praised our authentic commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.
Read more / publicity:
Dynamic Awards - Best New Business
WINNER 2026
The Old House at Home was delighted to win Best New Business at the Dynamic Awards 2026.
The award recognised the development of the business and the work undertaken to create a successful pub that combines hospitality with strong community values and an ambitious approach to sustainability.
Winning Best New Business was particularly special because it recognised how far The Old House at Home had developed in a relatively short period of time.
Read more / publicity:
National Recognition
FINALIST 2026
The Old House at Home was selected as one of just four UK Sustainability Hero finalists in the 2026 PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards.
The national award celebrates pubs leading the way through environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Being selected alongside pubs from across the UK was a fantastic recognition of the many environmental projects introduced at The Old House at Home and our efforts to involve the wider community in sustainability rather than keeping it behind the scenes.
Read more / publicity:
• PubAid - Community Pub Hero Awards 2026 finalists
BII Licensee of the Year
QUARTER-FINALISTS 2026
Michael and Julia Foxwell were named among the 2026 quarter-finalists for the BII Licensee of the Year Award for their work at The Old House at Home.
The Licensee of the Year Award is one of the pub industry’s leading accolades and recognises exceptional operators from across the UK.
Entrants are assessed across areas including business performance, marketing, sustainability, team development, customer experience and community engagement.
Being selected among the national quarter-finalists was therefore a particularly meaningful recognition of the pub as a whole.
Read more / publicity:
• The Pub Show - BII Licensee of the Year 2026 quarter-finalists
Local & Regional Recognition
Tandridge Business Awards - Sustainability
FINALIST 2026
The Old House at Home was selected as one of three finalists in the Sustainability category at the Tandridge Business Awards 2026.
More than 70 entries were received across the awards, with finalists selected through independent judging.
Our place in the Sustainability final recognised the environmental projects and practical changes we have introduced at the pub, along with our efforts to involve staff, customers and the community in our sustainability journey.
Read more / publicity:
• Tandridge District Council - Meet the 2026 finalists
• Tandridge Business Awards - Official finalists 2026
Tandridge Business Awards - Hospitality
FINALIST 2026
We were doubly delighted to also be named one of the three finalists in the Hospitality category at the Tandridge Business Awards 2026.
This recognition celebrates our wider hospitality offer and our commitment to creating a welcoming, enjoyable and memorable experience for customers.
Being shortlisted in both Hospitality and Sustainability was particularly special because it reflects two sides of the business that are equally important to us.
Read more / publicity:
• Tandridge District Council - Meet the 2026 finalists
• Tandridge Business Awards - Official finalists 2026
Central South Business Awards - Community Hero
FINALIST 2026
The Old House at Home was selected as a finalist in the Community Hero Award category at the 2026 Central South Business Awards.
The recognition reflects the pub’s contribution beyond hospitality - including charity fundraising, local partnerships, community events and the work we do to bring people together.
It was particularly meaningful to be recognised for the social impact a small independent village pub can have within its local community.
Read more / publicity:
• Shepherd Neame - Pub Awards & Recognition
More Than Awards
While we are incredibly proud of every award and nomination, the recognition is not why we do what we do.
Our aim is simply to make The Old House at Home the best village pub it can be - a place where people can enjoy great hospitality, meet friends, support worthwhile causes, discover local businesses and feel part of the community.
Every award reflects the work of our team and the incredible support we receive from our customers and the wider Dormansland community.
Thank you for being part of our story.