WEST Dorset businesses are well represented in a prestigious award scheme to celebrate the best of the best tourism providers.
Finalists have been announced for this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards – and businesses will have to wait until November 8 to find out who has won.
There is a strong showing from the western side of the county in the list of finalists, including Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester which is up for three awards.
There will be a local winner for the coveted tourism of the year award as there are just two finalists – Chickerell Steam & Vintage Show and Dippy on Tour.
Organisers said an increased 125 entries were received from across Dorset, with 72 selected as finalists.
Successful businesses in the Dorset Awards, now in their sixth year, will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2019 and possibly invited to represent Dorset in the 2019 National VisitEngland Awards.
Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, said: “We love seeing the progression of these awards from their launch six years ago.
"Entrants tell us their prime reason for entering is the feedback they receive, helping them hone their businesses and service still further, but one thing that doesn’t change is the delight caused by being told you’re one of the best tourism businesses in Dorset.
"Many congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and highly commended businesses – you’re leading the way.”
The awards ceremony will be held at Lighthouse, Poole, on Thursday, November 8.
It will be hosted by BBC Dorset’s Steve Harris and the guest speaker is comedian and impressionist Debra Stephenson.
Headline sponsors are Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants.
Partner Nick Fernyhough said: “Interest in the awards has continued to increase year on year and the judging panel were thoroughly delighted at this year’s numbers. It was impressive to see the excellent spread of entries from across the whole of the county too."
He added: "The awards continue to reflect the constant improvement in the tourism industry in the county and we are delighted to be headline sponsors for yet another year. We are looking forward to recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements by Dorset businesses.”
Finalists 2018
ACCESS AND INCLUSIVITY AWARD
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Bovington
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
The Italian Villa, Poole
ACTIVE AND SPORTING EXPERIENCE AWARD
Moors Valley Go Ape!, Ringwood
RockReef and PierZip on Bournemouth Pier
Weymouth Bay RIB Charter
B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR
Dorset House, Lyme Regis
Home Farm House, Wimborne St Giles
Swallows Rest B&B, Weymouth
BUSINESS TOURISM AND VENUE AWARD
Lighthouse, Poole
The Italian Villa, Poole
Upton Country Park, Poole
CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Bearkat Bistro/Café, Bridport
Compton Acres Café and Tea Rooms, Poole
Season’s Restaurant, Ringwood
CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERSTAR AWARD
Winners will be announced on the night
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Golden Acre Holiday Bungalows, Bridport
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster
Upton Country Park, Poole
GLAMPING & ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
Green Valley Yurts Ltd, Godmanstone
GUIDED TOUR OF THE YEAR
Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew
RNLI College, Poole
West Bay Canoes
HOLIDAY PARK & VILLAGE OF THE YEAR
Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
Oakdene Forest Park, St Leonards
Rockley Park, Poole
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Portland Port Ltd
Sherborne Castle and Gardens
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Rockreef and PierZip on Bournemouth Pier
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth
RNLI College, Poole
LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Swanage
Create at the Cove, West Lulworth
Lulworth Outdoors
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM
Will be announced on the night
RESPONSIBLE ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Acorn Inn, Evershot
Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Weymouth
The Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis
RESTAURANT/BISTRO OF THE YEAR
Crab House Café, Weymouth
Neo Restaurant, Bournemouth
The Dorset Burger Company, Weymouth
The Jetty, Christchurch Harbour Hotel
SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Burnbake Forest Lodges, Corfe Castle
Dove House & Swallows, Dorchester
National Trust Portland House, Weymouth
Nutley Farm, Winfrith
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Compton Acres, Poole
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
SMALL HOTEL/BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
The Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis
The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury
The Lord Bute, Highcliffe
SPA, PAMPERING & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, Milton Abbas
Purbeck Holistic Therapy, Swanage
TOURING CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR
East Fleet Farm, Chickerell
Monkton Wyld Caravan Park
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster
Wood Farm Caravan Park, Charmouth
TOURISM EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Chickerell Steam & Vintage Show, Chickerell
Dippy on Tour, Dorchester
TOURISM INNOVATION AND NEW BUSINESS AWARD
Create at the Cove, West Lulworth
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
TOURISM PUB OF THE YEAR
Will be announced on the night
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Bridport Tourist Information Centre
Discover Purbeck Tourist Information Centre, Wareham
Swanage Information Centre
WINNER OF WINNERS
Will be announced on the night
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here