The Finalists have been announced for this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards.

Winners will be announnced at Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth on February 6.

59 finalists have been announced for this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards following five months of judging.

The annual competition is now in its 12th year, with changes every year to categories and criteria, reflecting the constant innovation and reinvention across the industry. This year’s awards saw a timely return of the International Tourism category as well as a greater-than-ever focus on sustainability and accessibility. The awards organisers were also pleased to retain their own ‘Outstanding’ accreditation in the Awards TrustMark scheme.

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism commented: “Celebrating excellence is so important – to the winners themselves, to the staff who work there, and to everyone in industry looking to the future. It is also important for Dorset in showcasing the county on the national and international stage. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Award categories cover everything from dog friendly, new tourism business, and accessible and inclusive tourism to restaurants, glamping, hotels and pubs. A Winner of Winners title, an Unsung Hero award and a special Outstanding Contribution award will also be presented on the night.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School
Finalists
Brownsea Island – National Trust, Poole
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
Studland Bay, National Trust, Studland

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby
Finalists
Channel View Guesthouse, Weymouth
The Gresham Guest House, Weymouth

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by sponsored by Saffery
Finalists
Lighthouse, Poole
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
Merley House Events, Wimborne
Commended
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clipper
Finalists
Compton Acres Café Tearooms, Poole
Garden Gate Tea Room, Wareham
The Upwey Wishing Well Tearoom and Water Gardens, Weymouth

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Holidaymaker App
Finalists
Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park, St Leonards
Coppet Hill Partners, Bridport
Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Bridport
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster

CASUAL DINING AWARD, sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink
Finalists
Poco Pizza, Lyme Regis
Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Polygon Pets
Finalists
Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park, St Leonards
Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
Commended
Lulworth Castle & Park, Wareham

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Voltshare
Finalists
Careys Secret Garden, Wareham
West Dorset Leisure Holidays Highlands End, Bridport
Commended
Sandford Holiday Park Parkdean Resorts, Poole

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Les Enfants Terribles
Finalists
Osprey Cruises – Birds of Poole Harbour, Wareham
Alpaca Trekking Experience – Longthorns Farm, Wareham
Hidden Dorset Half Day – Sea Kayak Dorset, Portland
Yoga Retreats, Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Blandford

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking
Finalists
Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
Longthorns Farm, Wareham
Loose Reins Dorset, Blandford Forum

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Tozers
Finalists
To be announced at the Awards event

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Dorset LEP
Finalists
To be announced at the Awards event

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Booking.com
Finalists
Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth
Commended
Holiday Inn, Bournemouth
RNLI College, Poole

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Resort Dorset
Finalists
Brownsea Island – National Trust, Poole
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Ashley Heath
Commended
Nothe Fort (operated by Weymouth Civic Society), Weymouth
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM, sponsored by NFU Mutual Bournemouth
To be announced at the Awards event

PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Black Cow Vodka
The Acorn Inn, Dorchester
The Langton Arms, Blandford Forum

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Winederful
Finalists
Al Molo, Dorchester
St Tropez Lounge, Poole
The Jetty, Christchurch
Upper Deck Restaurant, Christchurch

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Quality in Tourism
Finalists
Greenwood Grange, Dorchester
Manor Farm Barns Dorset, Melbury Abbas
2 Coastguards Cottage, Wareham

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hospitality Assured
Finalists
To be announced at the Awards event

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by AGI
Finalists
Careys Secret Garden, Wareham
Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe
Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne
Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
Commended
West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tomorrows Travel
Finalists
Arts by the Sea 2023, Bournemouth
Bournemouth Writing Festival 2024, Bournemouth
Inside Out Dorset 2023, Dorchester
Swanage Regatta & Carnival 2024, Swanage
Commended
Rang Barse: Colours over Corfe Castle 2024, Wareham

UNSUNG HERO AWARD, sponsored by VisitDorset
Finalists
Jenny Ashley, Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Bridport
Charlie Brazier, Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by The Little House Dorset
Finalists
Abbots Court, Blandford Forum
Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe
Lulworth Castle & Park, Wareham
Commended
Merley House Events, Wimborne

WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP
To be announced at the Awards Event