Our History
Opened in 1933, The Sunray has been a familiar landmark on the edge of Osmington for nearly a century. Positioned quietly between the rolling Dorset countryside and the sweeping Jurassic Coast, it quickly became a favourite stopping point for locals, walkers and travellers making their way along the coastal road to Weymouth.
Over the decades the pub changed hands several times—and even changed its name along the way—but for those who knew it well, it was always simply The Sunray: a welcoming village pub where stories were shared, fires burned through the winter months, and long summer evenings spilled out into the Dorset air.
During the years surrounding the Second World War, the Dorset coastline played an important role in Britain’s military preparations. Weymouth Harbour and nearby Portland became major embarkation points for troops and equipment, while the surrounding countryside was filled with military camps and training exercises in the build-up to D-Day in 1944. Villages like Osmington, set quietly between the coast and the hills, found themselves unexpectedly close to the rhythms of wartime life.
Local lore suggests that during this period The Sunray gained a more discreet reputation. Its peaceful setting and far-reaching countryside views made it an appealing place for officers stationed along the coast to step away briefly from the pressures of command.
The pub’s name itself adds a layer of intrigue. During wartime communications, the British Army used “Sunray” as the radio call-sign for the commanding officer of a unit, allowing soldiers to refer to their most senior officer without using names over open channels. While no official record links the pub directly to military communications, the coincidence of the name has long fuelled local stories that officers stationed nearby would quietly gather here for a drink and conversation away from headquarters.
Whether legend or lingering truth, the tale has become part of the folklore of The Sunray—and a reminder that this peaceful corner of Dorset has quietly witnessed many chapters of history.
As the decades passed, The Sunray remained a much-loved part of village life in Osmington. Generations of locals remember family gatherings here, Sunday lunches after walks along the South West Coast Path, and the familiar comfort of a proper Dorset pub at the heart of the community.
In 2022, almost ninety years after it first opened its doors, The Sunray began a careful new chapter. A four-year, multi-million-pound restoration was undertaken to respectfully revive the site—restoring the pub itself while creating a collection of beautifully designed cottages around it.
Today, The Sunray has been returned to its original name and spirit. While much has been thoughtfully renewed, the aim has always been the same: to honour the character and history of this remarkable place, ensuring it remains a warm and welcoming landmark for Osmington and the wider Dorset coast for generations to come.