“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.”

The words of Robin Barker, pictured right, Director of Services for Tourism and Organiser of the 2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards.

He was speaking after an online awards ceremony which saw more than 50 gold, silver and bronze awards presented to the crème de la crème of Dorset’s tourism sector.

Three further awards will be announced in May when winners and sponsors will gather at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester, itself an award-winner.

There were also nine commended businesses.

The awards ceremony marked the conclusion of nine months of businesses entering, being judged and visited in the ninth year of the competition.

Organisers said there were numerous examples of excellence, innovation and resilience applied by businesses as they tackled one hurdle after another.

In parallel, many found time to become significant contributors to the county’s efforts to support key workers and those facing hardship.

Pubs, cafés, attractions, activity providers and restaurants were all recognised alongside accommodation providers in 24 categories.

Winners included many new entrants to the awards, alongside several past winners continuing to excel.

Deborah Heather, pictured right, of headline sponsors 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.”

Professor Peter Jones, Chair of the Judges, pictured left, 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.”

David Bailey, pictured right, Chair of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Destination Management Board, congratulated the winners adding: “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.”

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2021/22 DORSET TOURISM AWARDS

WINNERS AND COMMENDED  (in alphabetical order):

Headline sponsor: Quality in Tourism

1. ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University

Gold: Ellwood Cottages, Blandford Forum

2. APPRENTICESHIP SPECIAL AWARD sponsored by NFU Mutual Bournemouth

Gold: To be announced in May

3. B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby

Gold: St John’s Guest House, Weymouth (pictured right)
Silver: Channel View Guesthouse, Weymouth

4. BUSINESS EVENTS & WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Furleigh Estate

Gold: Business Events Venue of the Year – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
Gold: Wedding Venue of the Year – Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch

5. CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clipper

Gold: Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth
Silver: • Tangerine Café & Gallery, Beaminster
Bronze: • EBIKE Café @ Deheers, Weymouth
Commended: Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth

6. CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking

Gold: Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth
Silver: South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Poole
Bronze: Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Weymouth

7. CASUAL DINING & RESTAURANT AWARD sponsored by Furleigh Estate

Gold: The Station Kitchen, Bridport
Silver: Nicetta, Weymouth
Bronze: Shalims Indian Restaurant, Weymouth

8. DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Pear Marketing

Gold: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth (pictured right)
Silver: Burnbake Campsite and Forest Lodges, Corfe Castle
Commended: Polygon Pets Ltd, Poole

9. ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth Water

Gold: West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport
Silver: Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
Commended: Naked Coffee, Bournemouth

10. EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING) sponsored by Saffery Champness

Gold: All Hallows’ Farmhouse Cookery School, Wimborne St Giles
Silver: Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew
Bronze: Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth

11. GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by NFU Mutual Wessex

Gold: Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
Silver: The Yurt at Hollands Farmhouse, Dorchester
Bronze: At Goathill Farm, Sherborne

12. HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Tozers

Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport (pictured right)
Silver: Golden Cap Holiday Park, Chideock
Bronze: Waterside Holiday Park & Spa, Weymouth
Commended: Durdle Door Holiday Park, Lulworth, @DurdleDoorHP

13. LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hotel Perfect

Gold: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
Silver: Holiday Inn Bournemouth
Bronze: RNLI College, Poole
Commended: Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth

14. LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Love To Visit

Gold: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Ashley Heath
Silver: Dorset Museum, Dorchester
Commended: Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch

15. NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Visit Dorset

Gold: Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham
Silver: The King’s Arms, Dorchester
Bronze: At Goathill Farm, Sherborne
Commended: Apex Expeditions, Poundbury

16. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM sponsored by Darren Northeast PR

To be announced in May

17. PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink

Gold: The Acorn Inn, Evershot
Silver: The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury
Bronze: The Cross Keys, Sherborne

18. RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism

Gold: Weymouth Bay RIB Charter, Weymouth (pictured right)
Silver: Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth
Bronze: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington

19. SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Touch Stay

Gold: Spring Cottage, Wareham
Silver: Greenwood Grange Holidays, Dorchester
Bronze: Frog by the Sea, Chideock

20. SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clockwork Marketing

Gold: The Pig – on the beach, Studland
Silver: The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
Bronze: The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

21. SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Resort Dorset

Gold: Nothe Fort, Weymouth
Silver: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
Bronze: West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport
Commended: Bridport Museum Trust, Bridport

22. TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Dorset Magazine

Gold: FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington

23. UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Sculpture by the Lakes

Gold: Christine Hughes, Moors Valley Country Park (pictured right)
Silver: Mick Callaghan, Bournemouth Electric Club, Bournemouth

24. VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Yellow Buses

Gold: West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport

25. WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP

To be announced in May

• dorsettourismawards.org.uk