The cream of Dorset’s tourism businesses – from hotels and cafés to museums and caravan parks – are through to the finals of this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards.

A total of 62 finalists have been confirmed after five months of judging with the winners of gold, silver and bronze awards set to be revealed at Weymouth Pavilion on February 1, 2024.

Three special awards – Winner of Winners, Unsung Hero and Future of Hospitality – will also be announced and eight businesses will be rewarded with ‘commended’ status.

The successful businesses in most categories will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March 2024.

They may also be invited to represent Dorset in the 2024 national VisitEngland Awards.

The Dorset Tourism Awards are now in their 11^th year with changes every year to categories and criteria, reflecting the constant innovation and reinvention across the industry.

Robin Barker, Awards Organiser, of Services for Tourism, said: “I well remember the audience reaction at the very first Dorset Tourism Awards.

“Delight that Dorset, at last, had an awards scheme of their own.

“After the tough few years the industry has been through I fully expect more delight in February.

“Many congratulations to everyone.”

• https://www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk/

2023/24 DORSET TOURISM AWARDS

FINALISTS & COMMENDED (in alphabetical order)

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School

Finalists

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• National Trust – Corfe, Purbeck Estate, Swanage
• The Tank Museum, Bovington

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby

Finalists

• Alexander Lodge, Bournemouth
• Barton Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Dorchester

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth

Finalists

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Lighthouse, Poole
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• The Tank Museum, Bovington

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Dorset Tea

Finalists

• Compton Acres Café Tearooms, Bovington
• Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth
• The Story Pig, Sherborne
• Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms, Weymouth

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking

Finalists

• Coppet Hill Camping and Glamping, Bridport
• Norden Farm Campsite, Wareham
• South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster
• Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Wareham

Commended

• Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite, Corfe Castle

CASUAL DINING AWARD sponsored by Sunflower Social Media

Finalists

• Lolas Restaurant, Bournemouth
• MezeBag – Baraca Restaurant, Bournemouth
• Poco Pizza, Lyme Regis

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Saffery

Finalists

• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
• Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth
• Warmwell Holiday Park, Weymouth

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

Finalists

• Durdle Door Cruise – Weymouth Bay RIB Charter, Weymouth
• Sea Train Adventure – City Cruises, Poole
• Treetop Adventure Plus – Moors Valley Go Ape, Ringwood

Commended

• Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, Blandford

FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AWARD sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth

Finalists

• To be announced at the Awards event

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Tozers

Finalists

• Durdle Door Holiday Park, Wareham
• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Guestline

Finalists

• Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
• Holiday Inn, Bournemouth
• The Nici, Bournemouth

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR

Finalists

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Lighthouse, Poole, @LighthousePoole
• The Tank Museum, Bovington

Commended

• The Oceanarium, Bournemouth Aquarium, Bournemouth

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Visit Dorset

Finalists

• English Cottage Vacation, Shaftesbury
• Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport
• The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne

Commended

• Weymouth Land Train, Weymouth

PUB OF THE YEAR

• The Acorn Inn, Dorchester
• The Old Thatch Pub, Kitchen & Country Store, Wimborne
• The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Finalists

• Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles, Weymouth
• St Tropez Lounge, Poole
• The Jetty Restaurant, Christchurch
• Upper Deck Restaurant in Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch

Commended

• The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Booking.com

Finalists

• Bournemouth Beach Lodges, Bournemouth
• Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Quality in Tourism

Finalists

• Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
• Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Dorchester

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Resort Dorset

Finalists

• Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne
• Nothe Fort, Weymouth, @NotheFort
• Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth
• Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester

Commended

• Compton Acres, Bovington
• Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Bournemouth

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Les Enfants Terribles

Finalists

• Arts by the Sea Festival 2022, Bournemouth
• Swanage Regatta and Carnival 2023, Swanage
• Tankfest 2023, Bovington

Commended

• Shire Hall Christmas Market 2022, Dorchester

UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism

Finalists

• To be announced at the Awards event

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Holidaymaker App

Finalists

• Swanage Information Centre, Swanage
• Upton Park Visitor Welcome Centre, Poole

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Touch Stay

Finalists

• Dorset Museum Weddings, Dorchester
• Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe
• Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
• The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Poole

WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP

• To be announced at the Awards Event

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