Dorset Tourism Awards 2021/2022 winners revealed

In a day-long online awards ceremony, 54 winners were announced for the Dorset Tourism Awards 2021/22, with three more to be revealed in May, when winners and sponsors gather at the Sculpture by the Lakes in Pallington, which won gold, silver and bronze at this year’s event.

The judges found many examples of excellence, innovation and resilience applied by Dorset businesses as they worked their way over one hurdle after another, with many becoming significant contributors to the efforts from the county to support key workers.

Judges’ chairman, Professor Peter Jones, said: ‘The tourism industry has seen the very lows of lockdown and the highs of holiday enquiries. What this year’s judging showed is how resilient, creative and innovative tourism businesses in Dorset need to be to survive. They work hard to overcome setbacks and showcase the excellence that Dorset tourism offers to all of its visitors.

Find more details on dorsettourismawards.org.uk

DORSET TOURISM AWARDS 2021/22 sponsored by Quality in Tourism

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARDsponsored by Bournemouth University: Gold – Ellwood Cottages Blandford Forum.

SPECIAL APPRENTICESHIP PRIZEsponsored by NFU Mutual Wessex: will be announced in May.

B&B AND COTTAGE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Goadsby: Gold – St John’s Guest House, Weymouth; Silver – Canal View Bed and Breakfast, Weymouth.

One of the bedrooms at St John’s Guest House in Weymouth – winner of B&B and Guest House of the Year
– Credit: stjohnsguesthouse.co.uk

BUSINESS EVENTS AND WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Furleigh Estate: Wedding Venue of the Year – Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch; Business Events Venue of the Year – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth.

Highcliffe Castle, once the home of Gordon Selfridge, founder of Selfridges in London, has won the award for wedding venue of the year
– Credit: 2021 Phil Jackson/ Harbor View Photography

CAFE/TEA ROOM OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Clipper: Gold – Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth; Silver-Tangerine Cafe & Gallery, Beaminster; Bronze – EBIKE Cafe @Deheers, Weymouth; Congratulations – Break Cat Cafe, Bournemouth.

CAMPING & CARAVANING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking: Gold – Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth; Silver – South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Dorchester; Bronze – Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Weymouth.

Monkton Wyld Holiday Park in West Dorset, Campsite and Caravan Park of the Year
– Credit: Neil Bigwood/ monktonwyld.co.uk

PRICE OF RELAXED MEAL AND RESTAURANT, sponsored by Furleigh Estate: Gold – The Station Kitchen, Bridport; Silver – Nicetta, Weymouth; Bronze – Shalims Indian Restaurant, Weymouth.

The Station Kitchen in West Bay – with its award-winning restaurant inside a former WWI hospital carriage – winner of the Restaurant and Casual Dining category
– Credit: thestationkitchen.co.uk

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Pear Marketing: Gold – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; Silver – Burnbake Forest Campsite and Lodges, Corfe Castle; Congratulations – Polygon Pets Ltd, Poole.

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Bournemouth Water: Gold – West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport; Silver – Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster; Congratulations – Naked Coffee, Bournemouth

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR APPRENTICESHIP), 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.

The Astronomer’s Shepherd’s Hut at Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster – Glamping Business of the Year
– Credit: dorsetforestgardenglamping.co.uk

GLAMPING COMPANY 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.

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tozers: Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport; Silver – Golden Cap Holiday Park, Chideock; Bronze – Waterside Holiday Park & ​​Spa, Weymouth; Congratulations – Durdle Door Holiday Park.

Bird’s eye view of the award-winning Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport – Holiday Park of the Year
– Credit: wdlh.co.uk/James Loveridge

GRAND HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Hotel Perfect: Gold – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; Silver – Holiday Inn Bournemouth; Bronze – RNLI College, Poole; Congratulations – Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth.

GREAT ATTRACTION OF VISITORS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Love To Visit: Gold – Moors Valley Country Park and Forest; Silver – Dorset Museum, Dorchester; Congratulations – Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch.

Moors Valley Country Park & ​​Forest in the east of the county won major tourist attraction
– Credit: moors-valley.co.uk

NEW TOURIST COMPANY AWARD, sponsored by Visit Dorset: Gold – Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham; Silver – The King’s Arms, Dorchester; Bronze – At Goathill Farm, Sherborne; Congratulations – Apex Expeditions, Poundbury.

Click here to read our review of The King’s Arms in Dorchester

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISMSponsored by Darren Northeast PR: To be announced in May.

Carey’s Secret Garden – a magical walled garden near Wareham – has won the award for new tourist business of the year
– Credit: careyssecretgarden.co.uk

BAR OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink: Gold – The Acorn Inn, Evershot; Silver – The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury; Bronze – The Keys to the Cross, Sherborne.

RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION AWARD, sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism: Gold – Weymouth Bay RIB Charter; Silver – Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth; Bronze – Sculpture by the Lakes.

SELF-CURRENT HOUSING OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Touch Stay: Gold – Spring Cottage, Wareham; Silver – Greenwood Grange Holidays, Dorchester; Bronze – Frog by the Sea, Chideock.

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.

LITTLE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Resort Dorset: Gold – Nothe Fort, Weymouth; Silver – Sculpture by the lakes; Bronze – West Bay Discovery Center; Congratulations – Bridport Museum Trust.

TOURIST EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEARsponsored by Dorset Magazine: Gold: FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes.

Christine Hughes of Moors Valley Country Park & ​​Forest, winner of the Unsung Hero Award
– Credit: Moors Valley Country Park

UNKNOWN HERO AWARD, sponsored by Sculpture by the Lakes: Gold – Christine Hughes, Moors Valley Country Park; Silver – Mick Callaghan, Bournemouth Electric Club.

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Yellow Buses: Gold – West Bay Discovery Center.

WINNER OF WINNERS. sponsored by Dorset LEP: To be announced in May.

Click here to find 20 famous filming locations in Dorset