Dorset tourism businesses great and small were recognised at these prestigious annual awards with 260 finalists and sponsors gathering at Weymouth Pavilion at the beginning of February. The 11th Dorset Tourism Awards saw a return to pre-pandemic numbers as hospitality businesses of all kinds were rewarded for their excellence following a rigorous judging process.
The awards were preceded by an introduction by journalist Dr Kate Adie, who is the new President of the Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Kate, who has lived in Dorset for over 12 years, inspired guests with her observations of the county she calls home, highlighting her own experiences of memorable visitor welcomes even during tough times. She also acknowledged the importance of having a vibrant tourism industry for the local economy, as well as recognising and celebrating all those who work so hard to promote the county to residents and visitors who come here from far and wide.
During the evening, 65 winner trophies were presented including a Winner of Winners award to Dorset Museum & Gallery, the Unsung Hero award went to The Tank Museum’s Rosanna Dean, and Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth scooped up the Future of Hospitality Award.
Successful businesses in the Dorset Tourism Awards will now be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March and possibly into the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.
Find more details, and how to enter this year’s awards which open in April at dorsettourismawards.org.uk
Dorset Tourism Awards 2023/24 Finalists and Winners
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School
Gold: Dorset Museum & Gallery, Dorchester
Silver: National Trust, Corfe and Purbeck Estate
Bronze: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth & The Tank Museum, Bovington
B&B/Guesthouse of the Year sponsored by Goadsby
Gold: Alexander Lodge, Bournemouth
Silver: Barton Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Dorchester
Business Events Venue of the Year sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth
Gold: Lighthouse Poole
Silver: Dorset Museum & The Tank Museum
Bronze: Marsham Court Hotel
Café/Tearoom of the Year sponsored by Dorset Tea
Gold: Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms
Silver: Compton Acres Cafe Tearooms
Bronze: Pause Cat Cafe, Bournemouth & The Story Pig, Sherborne
Camping & Caravanning Park of the Year sponsored by Anytime Booking
Gold: Wareham Forest Tourist Park
Silver: Norden Farm Campsite, Wareham & South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park
Bronze: Coppet Hill Camping & Glamping, Bridport
Commended: Burnbake Forest Lodges & Campsite, Corfe Castle
Casual Dining Award sponsored by Sunflower Social Media
Gold: MezeBag – Baraca Restaurant, Bournemouth
Silver: Lolas Restaurant, Bournemouth
Bronze: Poco Pizza, Lyme Regis
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by Saffery
Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
Silver: Pause Cat Cafe, Bournemouth
Bronze: Warmwell Holiday Park, Weymouth
Experience of the Year sponsored by Sunflower Social Media
Gold: Treetop Adventure Plus – Moors Valley Go Ape Ringwood
Silver: Durdle Door Cruise – Weymouth RIB Charter Weymouth
Bronze: Sea Train Adventure – City Cruises, Poole
Commended: Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, Blandford
Future of Hospitality Award sponsored by NFU Mutual
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
Holiday Park of the Year sponsored by Tozers
Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park Bridport
Silver: Durdle Door Holiday Park
Large Hotel of the Year sponsored by Guestline
Gold: Holiday Inn, Bournemouth
Silver: Christchurch Harbour Hotel
Bronze: The NICI, Bournemouth
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Baboo Gelato
Gold: Dorset Museum
Silver: The Tank Museum
Bronze: Lighthouse Poole
Commended: The Oceanarium, Bournemouth
New Tourism Business Award sponsored by Visit Dorset
Gold: English Cottage Vacation, Shaftesbury
Silver: The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham
Bronze: Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport
Commended: Weymouth Land Train
Pub of the Year sponsored by Black Cow Vodka
Gold: The Acorn Inn, Evershot
Silver: The Old Thatch Pub, Kitchen & Country Store, Wimborne
Bronze: The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Hall & Woodhouse
Gold: St Tropez Lounge, Poole
Silver: Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles, Weymouth
Bronze: The Jetty Restaurant, Christchurch &
Upper Deck Restaurant, Christchurch Harbour Hotel
Commended: The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year sponsored by Booking.com
Gold: Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Silver: Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport
Small Hotel of the Year sponsored by Quality in Tourism
Gold: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot
Silver: Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Resort Dorset
Gold: Nothe Fort, Weymouth
Silver: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth
& Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne
Bronze: Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester
Commended: Compton Acres, Poole and Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Bournemouth
Tourism Event/Festival of the Year sponsored by Les Enfants Terribles
Gold: Arts by the Sea Festival 2022. Bournemouth
Silver: Tankfest 2023, Bovington
Bronze: Swanage Regatta & Carnival 2023
Commended: Shire Hall Christmas Market 2022
Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism
Rosanna Dean of The Tank Museum
Visitor Information Service of the Year sponsored by Holidaymaker APP
Gold: Swanage Information Centre
Silver: Upton Park Visitor Welcome Centre, Poole
Wedding Venue of the Year sponsored by Touch Stay
Gold: Highcliffe Castle
Silver: The Italian Villa at Compton Acres
Bronze: Dorset Museum Weddings & Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
Winner of Winners sponsored by Dorset LEP
Dorset Museum
