WEST Dorset is causing a stir in the finals of the first Dorset Tourism Awards.

Several finalists have been selected from the area and are eagerly awaiting the glittering award ceremony results next month.

The new awards have attracted more than 60 entries and nominations, which have all been examined by independent judges.

The finalists include the Furleigh Estate, Salway Ash and Lyme Bay RIB Charter, of West Bay, which are both competing for the ‘Best Tourism Activity, Sport and Experience’ award.

Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport scooped a place in the final three for the ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ award.

While The Bridgehouse, Beaminster is up for the ‘Hotel of the Year’ award.

Successful businesses will then be considered for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in January and possibly for the National Enjoy England Awards later next year.

Simon Miles, owner of Lyme Bay RIB charter, said he was ‘thrilled’ to make it into finals.

He added: “We are really pleased but it is quite a surprise as there is some really tough competition.

“It is fantastic for us to just be recognised.”

The business has been running full time from West Bay since 2002 and Mr Miles said he was pleased to see West Dorset being so well represented in the finals.

Owned by Rebecca Hansford and husband Ian Edwards since 2004, Furleigh Estate is one of West Dorset’s most sparkling business success stories.

It was transformed from a dairy farm into one of the UK’s leading wineries.

In 2012, Furleigh Estate based vineyard launched a new initiative.

They opened a specially created tasting room for their wines while introducing weekly tours of the vineyard and winery.

Ms Hansford said: “The tours were a new venture for us and have proved very popular.

“In fact the numbers are growing, not just on Fridays and Saturdays, but with clubs and societies who want specially tailored tours for their members at other times of the week.

“Getting into the finals of the Dorset Tourism Awards shows how the tours are now becoming a very popular attraction.”

Other finalists include The White House, Charmouth which is angling for the ‘Bed & Breakfast and Guest Accomodation of the Year’ award and Beaminster Brasserie, which is in the final for the ‘Eating Out Award’.

Industry leaders and experts have secretly visited places nominated in the 12 categories and have produced shortlists.

The ceremony is being held at the Tank Museum in Bovington on October 24.

Finalists include:

BED & BREAKFAST AND GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

  •  The Inn at Cranborne, Cranborne
  •  Launceston Farm B&B, Blandford Forum
  • The White House, Charmouth
  • TOURISM INFORMATION SERVICE
  •   Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham
  • Lyme Regis TIC, Lyme Regis
  • Poole Welcome Centre, Poole
  • HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
  • Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
  • Rockley Park, Hamworthy
  • South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster
  • BEST TOURISM ACTIVITY, SPORT & EXPERIENCE
  • Furleigh Estate, Bridport
  • Lyme Bay RIB Charter, Bridport
  • National Trust Brownsea Island, Poole
  • HOTEL OF THE YEAR
  • The Bridgehouse, Beaminster
  • Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne
  • Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth
  • SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
  • Captains Club Hotel, Christchurch
  • Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
  • SELF CATERING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE YEAR
  •  Dove House and Swallows, Dorchester
  • Dream Cottages, Weymouth
  • Greenwood Grange, Dorchester
  • EATING OUT AWARD
  • Arbor Restaurant at The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
  • Beaminster Brasserie, Beaminster
  • Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne
  • Highcliff Grill at the Marriott, Bournemouth