FINALISTS in this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards have been revealed.

A total of 62 names have been listed ahead of a glittering awards ceremony, set to take place at Weymouth Pavilion on February 1, 2024.

The announcement comes after five months of judging for the event, where the finalists will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.

A further three special awards will also be announced and eight will be rewarded with commended status.

The annual competition is now in its 11th year, with changes each year to categories and criteria, reflecting the constant innovation and reinvention across the industry.

This year’s awards took ever greater account of entrants’ commitment to accessibility and inclusion, including mental health, as well as the environment and community.

Organisers were also pleased to retain their own Outstanding accreditation in the Awards TrustMark scheme.

Winners announced in February will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards the following month – and possibly invited to represent Dorset in the 2024 national VisitEngland Awards.

The Visit Dorset tourism team said: “The team would like to wish the very best of luck to all the finalists in this years’ Dorset Tourism Awards.

“It’s great to recognise their amazing work and the fantastic experiences that they provide for all visitors to Dorset.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, added: “I well remember the audience reaction at the very first Dorset Awards – delight that Dorset at last had an awards scheme of their own – and after the tough few years the industry has been through I fully expect more delight in February. Many congratulations to everyone.”

Award categories cover everything from dog-friendly, new tourism business, and accessible and inclusive tourism to restaurants, glamping, hotels and pubs.

A Winner of Winners title, an Unsung Hero award and a special Future of Hospitality award will also be presented on the night.

Businesses will find out if they’ve won at the awards ceremony in February. Picture: Nick Williams

The full list of finalists in the 2023/24 Dorset Tourism Awards:

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD
sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School
• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• National Trust – Corfe, Purbeck Estate, Swanage
• The Tank Museum, Bovington

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Goadsby
• Alexander Lodge, Bournemouth
• Barton Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Dorchester

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth
• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Lighthouse, Poole
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• The Tank Museum, Bovington

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Dorset Tea
• Compton Acres Café Tearooms, Bovington
• Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth
• The Story Pig, Sherborne
• Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms, Weymouth

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Anytime Booking
• Coppet Hill Camping and Glamping, Bridport
• Norden Farm Campsite, Wareham
• South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster
• Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Wareham
Commended
• Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite, Corfe Castle

CASUAL DINING AWARD
sponsored by Sunflower Social Media
• Lolas Restaurant, Bournemouth
• MezeBag – Baraca Restaurant, Bournemouth
• Poco Pizza, Lyme Regis

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
sponsored by Saffery
• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
• Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth
• Warmwell Holiday Park, Weymouth

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
• Durdle Door Cruise – Weymouth Bay RIB Charter, Weymouth
• Sea Train Adventure – City Cruises, Poole
• Treetop Adventure Plus – Moors Valley Go Ape, Ringwood
Commended
• Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, Blandford

FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AWARD
sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth
• To be announced at the Awards event

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Tozers
• Durdle Door Holiday Park, Wareham
• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Guestline
• Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
• Holiday Inn, Bournemouth
• The Nici, Bournemouth

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Lighthouse, Poole, @LighthousePoole
• The Tank Museum, Bovington
Commended
• The Oceanarium, Bournemouth Aquarium, Bournemouth

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD
sponsored by Visit Dorset
• English Cottage Vacation, Shaftesbury
• Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport
• The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne
Commended
• Weymouth Land Train, Weymouth

PUB OF THE YEAR
• The Acorn Inn, Dorchester
• The Old Thatch Pub, Kitchen & Country Store, Wimborne
• The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
• Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles, Weymouth
• St Tropez Lounge, Poole
• The Jetty Restaurant, Christchurch
• Upper Deck Restaurant in Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
Commended
• The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Booking.com
• Bournemouth Beach Lodges, Bournemouth
• Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Quality in Tourism
• Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
• Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Dorchester

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Resort Dorset
• Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne
• Nothe Fort, Weymouth, @NotheFort
• Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth
• Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester
Commended
• Compton Acres, Bovington
• Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Bournemouth

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Les Enfants Terribles
• Arts by the Sea Festival 2022, Bournemouth
• Swanage Regatta and Carnival 2023, Swanage
• Tankfest 2023, Bovington
Commended
• Shire Hall Christmas Market 2022, Dorchester

UNSUNG HERO AWARD
sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism
• To be announced at the Awards event

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Holidaymaker App
• Swanage Information Centre, Swanage
• Upton Park Visitor Welcome Centre, Poole

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Touch Stay
• Dorset Museum Weddings, Dorchester
• Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe
• Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch
• The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Bovington

WINNER OF WINNERS
sponsored by Dorset LEP
• To be announced at the Awards Event