Dorset Tourism Awards winners in full

The Dorset Tourism Awards revealed 54 winners, with three more to be announced at an in-person event in May.

The awards, in their ninth year, recognised pubs, cafes, restaurants, activities and accommodation. Organisers said many of the entrants had also found time to become “significant contributors” to efforts to support key workers and those facing hardship.

Deborah Heather, of headline sponsor Quality in Tourism, said: “In what has been another difficult year, we see the calibre of entrants and finalists in the Dorset awards continuing to improve. It’s awe-inspiring to see the creativity and innovation from this industry.

“I am both humbled and immensely proud of the sector and I wish everyone the best in the awards and for 2022.” 

The chair of the judges, Professor Peter Jones, said: “Over the past two years the tourism industry has experienced the very lows of lockdown and the highs of the demands for staycations, all in the same year.

“What this year’s judging has shown is how resilient, creative and innovative Dorset tourism businesses have had to be to survive. As this year's winners have shown, they are working exceptionally hard to overcome any setbacks and to showcase the excellence that Dorset tourism offers all of its visitors.”

Amanda Park, tourism development manager at Visit Dorset, said: “We are delighted to support the awards which celebrate the variety and quality of tourism businesses across Dorset and showcase their hard work and achievements.

“As sponsor of the New Business category, it is fantastic to see the industry continue to grow and develop despite the difficulties of the last two years.”

David Bailey, chair of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Destination Management Board, said: “It is important that we celebrate and acknowledge the quality of our tourism and hospitality offer that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.”

Organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, said: “I have been truly wowed by the capacity of Dorset tourism businesses both to innovate and to give back. I take my hat off to you all.”

Winners were as follows.

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award (sponsor: Bournemouth University): Ellwood Cottages, Blandford.

B&B and Guesthouse of the Year (sponsored by Goadsby): Gold St John’s Guest House, Weymouth; silver Channel View Guesthouse, Weymouth.

Business Events and Wedding Venue (Furleigh Estate): Gold Business Events Venue Marsham Court Hotel. Gold Wedding Venue Highcliffe Castle.

Cafe/Tearoom (Clipper): Gold, Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth; silver, Tangerine Café & Gallery, Beaminster; bronze, EBIKE Café, Weymouth; commended Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth.

Camping and Caravanning Park (Anytime Booking): Gold, Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth; silver, South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Poole; bronze,

Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Weymouth.

Casual Dining and Restaurant (Furleigh Estate): Gold, The Station Kitchen, Bridport; silver, Nicetta, Weymouth; bronze, Shalims Indian Restaurant, Weymouth.

Dog-friendly Business (Pear Marketing): Gold, Marsham Court Hotel; silver, Burnbake Campsite and Forest Lodges, Corfe Castle; commended, Polygon Pets Ltd, Poole.

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism (Bournemouth Water): Gold, West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport; silver, Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster; commended, Naked Coffee, Bournemouth.

Experience of the Year, Active or Learning (Saffery Champness): Gold, All Hallows’ Farmhouse Cookery School, Wimborne St Giles; silver Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew; bronze, Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth.

Glamping Business (NFU Mutual Wessex) : Gold, Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster; silver, The Yurt at Hollands Farmhouse, Dorchester; bronze, At Goathill Farm, Sherborne.

Holiday Park (Tozers): Gold, Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport; silver, Golden Cap Holiday Park, Chideock; bronze, Waterside Holiday Park & Spa, Weymouth; commended, Durdle Door Holiday Park, Lulworth.

Large Hotel (Hotel Perfect): Gold, Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; silver, Holiday Inn Bournemouth; bronze, RNLI College, Poole; commended, Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth.

Large Visitor Attraction (Love To Visit): Gold, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Ashley Heath; silver, Dorset Museum, Dorchester; commended, Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch.

New Tourism Business (Visit Dorset): Gold, Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham; silver, The King’s Arms, Dorchester; bronze, At Goathill Farm, Sherborne; commended, Apex Expeditions, Poundbury.

Pub of the Year (sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink): Gold, The Acorn Inn, Evershot; silver, The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury; bronze, The Cross Keys, Sherborne.

Resilience and Innovation (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism): Gold, Weymouth Bay RIB Charter; silver, Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth; bronze, Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington.

Self-catering Accommodation (Touch Stay): Gold, Spring Cottage, Wareham; silver, Greenwood Grange Holidays, Dorchester; bronze, Frog by the Sea, Chideock.

Small Hotel (Clockwork Marketing): Gold, The PIG-on the Beach, Studland; silver, The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne; bronze, The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury.

Small Visitor Attraction (Resort Dorset): Gold, Nothe Fort, Weymouth; silver, Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington; bronze, West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport; commended, Bridport Museum Trust.

Tourism Event/Festival (Dorset Magazine): Finalists, FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington.

Unsung Hero (Sculpture by the Lakes): Christine Hughes, Moors Valley Country Park; silver, Mick Callaghan, Bournemouth Electric Club.

The winners of the Apprenticeship Special Award (sponsored by NFU Mutual Bournemouth), Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism (sponsored by Darren Northeast PR) and Winner of Winners (Dorset LEP) will be announced in May when winners and sponsors gather at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester.