There was more praise for West Bay Discovery Centre when tourism award winners enjoyed an extra celebration with a party when three special prizes were announced.
The event at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester was an opportunity for winners of the 2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards, leaders and sponsors to meet face-to-face and receive their Stuart Wiltshire glass trophies, whilst enjoying a barbecue.
The event was also able to celebrate the four Dorset businesses which have been announced as finalists in the national VisitEngland awards - the Discovery Centre, the Acorn Inn at Evershot, Weymouth's Nothe Fort and All Hallows Farmhouse Cookery School near Wimborne. They will have to wait until the national awards ceremony on June 8 to find out if they have won.
There was further celebrations for the Discovery Centre after it was presented with the Winner of Winners Trophy.
Presenting the award, awards organiser Robin Barker said: “There are no set criteria for this award but one entrant won in several categories and has now gone on to be a national finalist. A fabulous exemplar to others, they won a gold award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, a further gold for Visitor Information, and bronze for Small Visitor Attraction. The Winner of Winners is West Bay Discovery Centre.”
Housed inside located inside the former historic Methodist Church next to the beach, the Discovery Centre tell the stories of West Bay both past and present.
It uses interactive experiences to make learning about West Bay fun for all ages. A programme of talks, guided walks, and events are also on offer.
The Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism was presented to Richard Smith, Chair of Dorset Tourism Association and Director of the Tank Museum.
There was a special Apprenticeship award for Jill Meyerhoff of Hall and Woodhouse in recognition of the company's apprenticeship scheme.
The 2022/23 Dorset Tourism Awards are now open for entry with a deadline of Sunday, June 19.
The award-winning West Bay Discovery Centre kicks off a brand new season of its popular guided walks programme on Thursday, June 2.
The walks, which are led by the centre’s volunteers, usually start at the centre with a different walk each Thursday morning and one Sunday morning walk each month. The outings offer the opportunity to learn more about local history or just enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
June’s programme includes West Bay’s Hidden History, Stormy Seas and Crumbling, a walk along the river and railway and a circular walk to the village of Eype.
There is a small fee for the walks – for more details and to book visit the what’s on page of the centre’s website, the Facebook page or visit the centre itself.
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