West Dorset businesses and attractions struck gold in the South West Tourism Awards, with 14 others from across the county also scooping silver and bronze accolades.
West Bay Discovery Centre won gold in the ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism award.
Weymouth’s Nothe Fort bagged gold in the small visitor attraction for the second year running, while Monkton Wyld Holiday Park near Charmouth won top prize for camping and caravanning park of the year and Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype got the top spot for holiday park of the year.
The West Bay Discovery Centre was delighted with their award and was pleased to see other winners from the area including Highlands End Holiday Park.
Discovery Centre Trustee John West said: “We are absolutely delighted with this achievement.
“To achieve gold in competition with other top businesses and visitor attractions from the south west's six counties and Bristol and Bath is a great accolade for all the team at the centre.
“Care for the environment and promoting sustainability has and will always be central to what we do, so this award means a lot to us.
“We aim to have a low impact on the environment by buying sustainable and locally produced merchandise, recycling our waste, and promoting local beach cleans.”
Other winners included Golden Cap Holiday Park as runner up in holiday park of the year, the Dorset Museum coming second in the large visitor of the year category and Evershot's The Acorn Inn also ranking as silver for pub of the year.
James Cox of West Dorset Leisure Holidays, who operates both the Golden Gap and Highlands End sites, said: "As a family we are extremely proud that two of our parks have been recognised at this prestigious level as Gold and Silver in the South West Tourism Awards.
"It is a testament to our team’s hard work, enthusiasm and willingness to adapt, particularly over the last 24 months, to put West Dorset Leisure Holidays at the forefront of Holiday Park of the year for the South West.
"Over the last 50 years our vision has been to provide a fantastic experience and memorable holidays in West Dorset and this recognition has certainly hit a new high. We are looking forward to a successful 2022 season and hopefully news of progressing to the National Awards."
The popular Sculpture by the Lakes came away with bronze for the tourism event/festival of the year for their FORM exhibition.
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