Finalists have been announced for this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards which have seen a record-breaking amount of entries for 2017.

Businesses in west Dorset and Purbeck are well represented in the awards – with Monkey World, which celebrated its 30 year anniversary this year, nominated in three categories including the coveted large attraction of the year award.

It’s also good news for Lyme Regis – the Town Mill and Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant are both nominated in two categories.

The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival, Weymouth, which celebrated its 10th year in style this year with huge crowds, is up for event of the year.

Dorset’s leading tourism businesses and individuals have been announced prior to this year’s ceremony at The Lighthouse, Poole on November 16.

This year’s awards have seen a 15 per cent increase in entries and an ever-closer competition between leading providers across Dorset tourism’s industry. Entrants went through a three-stage judging process, taking into account websites, reviews, social media and more than 90 visits by judges to businesses. All evidence was then presented to an independent judging panel.

This year’s awards saw an increased 123 entries across 23 categories, with a new category this year for Guided Tours and the former Experience category split into three.

Nick Fernyhough of headline sponsors Saffery Champness said: “We are delighted to see the high number of entries received for the Dorset Tourism Awards this year and the particularly high quality of applications. The awards are helping to raise not only the profile of Dorset but also to raise the quality of the Dorset visitor experience.

“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for the fifth consecutive year and look forward to the awards evening.”

Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, who created and manage the awards, said: “It is so rewarding to see the increase in entries and also the further raising of standards across the county. Judging this year has been tougher than ever, with evidence of excellence from businesses that are investing significantly in their facilities and people.”

Successful businesses in the awards will automatically be considered for matching categories in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2018 with the chance to go on to represent Dorset at the National VisitEngland Awards.

FULL LIST OF FINALISTS & HIGHLY COMMENDED 2017

Access and Inclusivity Award
BOD Bournemouth, Bournemouth
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Active and Sporting Experience of the Year
Go Ape Moors Valley, Ashley Heath
Loose Reins, Blandford
Highly Commended
RockReef and PierZip on Bournemouth Pier

Artistic, Cultural and Learning Experience of the Year
All Hallows Farmhouse - Cookery School, Wimborne St Giles
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Bed and Breakfast of the Year
Dorset House, Lyme Regis
Home Farm House, Wimborne St Giles
The Balincourt, Bournemouth 
Highly Commended
Swallows Rest B & B, Weymouth

Café/Tearoom of the Year 
Aroma Cafe Bridport, Bridport
Taste Cafe at Chesil Beach, Weymouth
Worth Matravers Tea & Supper Room, Swanage
Highly Commended 
Seasons Kitchen & Coffee Barn, Ashley Heath

Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year
Higher Moor Farm, Weymouth
Longthorns , Wareham
Shamba Holidays, St Leonards

Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Golden Acre Holiday Bungalows, Bridport
Lancombe Country Cottages & Lodges, Dorchester
Upton Country Park

Glamping Business and Alternative Accommodation of the Year
Bloomfield Camping, Blandford
Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Loose Reins, Blandford

Guided Tour of the Year
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre
RNLI College, Poole 
The Town Mill, Lyme Regis

Holiday Park of the Year
Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
Rockley Park, Poole

Large Attraction of the Year
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest 
Swanage Railway
The Tank Museum

Large Hotel of the Year
Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
RNLI College, Poole

Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism
Announced on the night

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Announced on the night

Restaurant/Bistro of the Year
Guildhall Tavern, Poole
Seasons at the Eastbury, Sherborne
The Dorset Burger Company, Weymouth

Self Catering Business of the Year
Greenwood Grange, Dorchester
Lancombe Country Cottages & Lodges, Dorchester

Small Attraction of the Year
Compton Acres, Poole
Sandworld Weymouth, Weymouth
The Town Mill, Lyme Regis

Small/Boutique Hotel of the Year
Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
Summer Lodge Hotel, Dorchester
The Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis
The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
The Orchid Hotel, Bournemouth

Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year
La Vie Spa, Portland
Mellullah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Milton Abbas

Sustainable Tourism Award
Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Weymouth
Bloomfield Camping, Blandford
The Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis

Tourism Event/Festival of the Year
Great Dorset Chilli Festival
Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival, Weymouth
Sherborne Abbey Festival
The Original Shake & Stir Vintage Festival, Bournemouth

Tourism Pub of the Year
Acorn Inn, Dorchester
The Inn at Cranborne, Cranborne
Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Burton Bradstock

Venue and Business Tourism Award
The Italian Villa, Poole
Upton Country Park

Visitor Information Service of the Year
Bridport Tourist Information Centre
Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham
Swanage Information Centre 

Winner of Winners
Announced on the night