DORSET businesses won big at a tourism showcase in an 'emotional' online event - following a difficult year for hospitality during the pandemic.

The South West England Tourism Awards were presented online, with every winner given the chance to react to their award.

Celebrating tourism excellence at such a difficult time is providing a major boost in helping to promote businesses which have been struggling and have had to adapt.

After the longest ever awards season, 76 winners were announced, in a competition which saw 416 entries from across Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Judging this year took account of business entries, digital presence and feedback along with evidence of Covid-secure measures, prior to decisions taken by an independent panel.

A number of Dorset businesses took home an award, with many businesses winning the prestigious Gold award.

Winners included Dorset House in Lyme Regis and Jurassic Coast Guides which runs tours all along the Jurassic Coast. White Star Running's Run Jurassic 2019 event won Tourism Event/Festival of the Year.

Dorset House won the Gold award for 'Best B&B and Guesthouse of the Year'.

Jason Martin, who owns Dorset House with his wife Lyn, said: "We are obviously delighted, it is such a nice award to win.

"We will be really pleased to be back open soon. We are fully booked until October and we have got a waiting list.

"We love being in Lyme Regis, it has got a lot to offer and it is getting better and better with all the new businesses coming in."

Winners

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD

Gold

  • Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol

Silver

  • Sara’s Cottage, Cornwall

Bronze

  • Leafy Fields Glamping, Devon​

Commended

  • HolidayInDorset – Birchcroft, Dorset
  • Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwall

 

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Dorset House, Dorset

Silver

  • St John’s Guest House, Dorset

Commended

  • Barnabas House B&B, Devon
  • Brightham House Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Devon
  • The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Somerset

 

BUSINESS EVENTS & WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR 

Gold

  • Treseren, Cornwall

Silver

  • Paschoe House, Devon

Bronze

  • Marsham Court Hotel, Dorset

Commended

  • Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwall
  • Upton Country Park, Dorset

 

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Picnic Park Deli, Dorset

Silver

  • Teacup Tearoom, Cornwall

Bronze

  • Fishcombe Cove Café

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

Silver

  • Polmanter Touring Park, Cornwall 

Bronze

  • Mena Farm: Touring, Camping, Glamping, Cornwall

 

CASUAL DINING AWARD

Gold

  • The PIG at Combe, Devon

Silver

  • Cary Arms & Spa, Devon

Bronze

  • Fish ‘n’ Fritz, Dorset

Commended

  • Bango Kitchen, Cornwall
  • On the Waterfront, Devon

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall

Silver

  • Bolberry Farm Cottages, Devon

Bronze

  • Kernock Cottages, Cornwall

Commended

  • Marsham Court Hotel, Dorset
  • Saunton Beach Villas, Devon

 

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Gold

  • The Sanctuary Cornwall

Silver

  • Camp Kernow, Cornwall

Bronze

  • Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol

Commended

  • Little Comfort Farm, Devon
  • Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall
  • Pause Cat Café, Dorset

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR 

Gold

  • Jurassic Coast Guides, Dorset

Silver

  • Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Dorset

Bronze

  • Savouring Bath, Bath

Commended

  • Fore / Adventure, Dorset
  • Paradise Park – Red Panda Experience, Cornwall

 

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Brownscombe Luxury Glamping, Devon

Silver

  • Devon Yurt, Devon

Bronze

  • Ekopod, Cornwall
  • Farmstead Glamping, Dorset

Commended

  • Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Dorset
  • Leafy Field Glamping, Devon

 

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Devon

Silver

  • Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwal

Bronze

  • Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Devon

Commended

  • Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Devon
  • Martha’s Orchard, Cornwall

 

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Carlyon Bay Hotel, Cornwall

Silver

  • Budock Vean Hotel, Cornwall 

Bronze

  • The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath

Commended

  • Fowey Hall Hotel, Cornwall

 

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Wild Place Project, Bristol

Silver

  • The Tank Museum, Dorset

Bronze

  • Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol
  • Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol 
  • Paradise Park and JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre, Cornwall

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD 

Gold

  • The Roost Luxury Glamping, Glos

Silver

  • The Hudnalls Hideout Treehouse, Glos

Bronze

  • Cross Lane House, Somerset
  • The Cross Keys, Dorset

Commended

  • The Cottages at Blackadon Farm, Devon

 

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SOUTH WEST TOURISM

·The Great South West Tourism Partnership Group (Spokespeople: Amanda Lumley, VisitPlymouth, and Alistair Handyside, South West Tourism Alliance)

 

PUB OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • The Pandora Inn, Cornwall

Silver

  • Three Crowns, Devon

Bronze

  • The Boathouse, Cornwall

 

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Gold

Silver

  • The Angel – Taste of Devon

Bronze

  • Cove24 Restaurant and Bar, Cornwall
  • Moose Kitchen, Dorset

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Higher Wiscombe, Devon

Silver

  • Sara’s Cottage, Cornwall

Bronze

  • Nethway Farm Holiday Cottages, Devon

Commended

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire 

Silver

  • The Horn of Plenty Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Devon

Bronze

Commended

  • Gara Rock Hotel, Devon
  • Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa, Cornwall
  • The PIG at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall

 

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Nothe Fort, Dorset

Silver

  • Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset

Bronze

  • Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Cornwall

Commended

  • Dean Forest Railway, Glos

 

SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Cornwall

Silver

  • Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire 

Bronze

  • St Michaels Resort, Cornwall
  • Lincombe Hall Hotel, Devon

Commended

  • Mullion Cove Spa, Cornwall

TOURISM EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • White Star Running – Run Jurassic 2019, Dorset

Silver

  • Sculpture by the Lakes – Dorset Arts Festival 2020

Bronze

  • eat:Portishead, Somerset 

Commended

  • Falmouth Oyster Festival 2019, Cornwall

TOURISM INNOVATION AWARD

Gold

  • Quince Honey Farm, Devon

Silver

  • St Moritz Hotel, Cornwall

Bronze

  • Savouring Bath, Bath

Commended

  • The Grange at Oborne, Dorset

 

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR

Gold

  • Lynmouth Pavilion Exmoor National Park Centre, Devon

Silver

  • South Somerset Visitor Information Centre / South Somerset District Council, Somerset 

Bronze

  • Visit Newquay Tourist Information Centre, Cornwall

 

WATER CONSERVATION AWARD

  • The Sanctuary, Cornwall