Dorset Tourism Awards 2026 Winners

Dorset Tourism Celebrates

Here at Resort Dorset we were delighted to attend the 2026 Dorset Tourism Awards. We’ve celebrated and supported the awards since they began in 2013, and this year Resort Dorset sponsored the Small Attraction category.

The awards night is a true celebration of excellence across Dorset’s tourism sector. Following a fantastic season, it was lovely to see everyone come together and celebrate their hard work

We’re fortunate to be able to sit back and enjoy the evening without the nerves of waiting for an award, or the responsibility of judging. Instead, we put on our glad rags, mingled, raised a toast and enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of the team at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth.

As Dorset’s local visitor magazine, it was great to see so many of our advertisers selected as finalists, and even better to see them win. Congratulations to you all!

On to the winners!

Small Attraction (our sponsored category)

Gold: Dorset Adventure Park (pictured above and below) This brilliant attraction is full of fun and one of our family-favourite days out; with its waterpark, mud trail, splash castle and more. It came as no surprise to see a first-time entry take the top spot.

Silver: Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne. Small but mighty, its staff and volunteers entertain visitors all year round with special events and exhibitions – there’s always something new going on. It’s also home to the tourist information centre, where you can pick up the much-loved Resort magazine in spring and summer.

Bronze (joint):

• The Etches Collection, Kimmeridge. A small, family-run attraction packed with fossil finds and an important piece of Dorset’s natural history story. It’s home to the Giant Sea Monster featured in the 2024 David Attenborough BBC documentary.
• West Bay Discovery Centre. We pop in whenever we’re in West Bay. It’s free to enter (donations welcome), with lots for children to get hands-on with and some fascinating displays. Did you know West Bay was once called Bridport Harbour, until it was renamed in the 1880s? It made sense as the port for Bridport, but West Bay sounds more fun, right?

Highly Commended: The Walled Garden, Moreton, and Shaftesbury Museum & Gardens.

“Small” may be in the category name, but every one of these delivers a big experience, and all are worthy winners.

Active and Experience

At the last minute we were also asked to present another award, and we were delighted to see Resort advertiser Lyme Bay Rib Rides pick up Silver in the Active & Experience category. They’ve finished for the season, but they’ll be back in 2027, so add them to your list for next spring or summer. The Bay Blast is fab fun and a real thrill!

Best New Business

A few more shout-outs (sorry, I always have a lot to say!). We couldn’t let this one pass. Being based in Weymouth, we watched a not-so-little boat arrive on the harbourside back in 2025. For months, while out crabbing with our children or walking by, we saw people hard at work kitting out a 250-seater passenger boat. When we got the chance, we met and spoke to the owners, Ben Alford and Rich English, who invited us on board for an early look. Wow! Coastal Vibes was clearly going to make waves on Weymouth’s tourist offer, and boy, has it done just that! Themed boat trips, chilled sunset sessions to Durdle Door with live music, bingo nights, sax-DJ nights (a personal favourite) are just some of their experiences. We were thrilled to see them win Best New Business in Dorset. What a fantastic achievement!

Other winners and new businesses to look out for in this category were Ringstead Bay Camping, Lyme Bay Rib Rides and Southside Funfair. If you’ve only just discovered them, you’re in for a treat!

Large Attractions

I’m almost done, but I can’t not mention the Large Attractions. As the area’s visitor magazine, we know these businesses are the backbone of Dorset’s tourism industry, and many of them support our small company (thank you).

• Gold: Nothe Fort (pictured below, collecting their award). A standout attraction that packs in events throughout the year, from silent discos, science fairs, to special exhibitions like The Longest Yarn. The team of staff and volunteers makes it a must-visit, and the annual pass means you can go back again and again.
• Silver: Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. Open all year with a delve into Dorset’s past and present and always something new to enjoy. We’re very excited for next year’s Mary Anning - Fossil Hunter exhibition!
• Bronze: Corfe Castle. Surely you’ve visited this iconic National Trust attraction? A lovely day out for all the family, with regular events to give you reasons to go back time and again.
• Highly Commended: Monkey World and Poole Museum. Two of Dorset's superb attractions and worthy winners.

A few more winners to shout about

Not everything fits neatly into one category, but we couldn’t leave these out!

The biggest congratulations of the night go to Birds of Poole Harbour, who took home Winner of Winners as well as several other awards. This charity works to protect and celebrate the bird life of Poole Harbour, one of Britain’s most important sites for wildlife, through conservation projects, school visits, public events and the Poole Harbour Osprey reintroduction programme. A fantastic night for them!

We were also delighted to see Bowleaze Holiday Park pick up Gold for Best Holiday Park: we love going to Bowleaze with Resort magazines as we always receive the warmest of welcomes, much like their guests! The Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms win Best Cafe / Tearoom, a beautiful spot and superb tearooms, their win comes as no surprise (especially if you've tried the bakewell tart)! 

In Camping and Caravanning, congratulations go to Gold winner South Lytchett Manor and Silver winner, Back of Beyond Touring Park and joint Bronze to Monkton Wyld Holiday Park and Bagwell Farm - some great options for your 2027 holiday plans. Obviously they each stock the best visitor magazine in Dorset so you can find the best places to go once you check in! 

Our Hosts

Finally, a mention for our hosts, the Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth. It’s a fantastic venue for events and holidays, or for just a dip in the year-round outdoor pool. Another family-run business, it has a versatile offer that appeals to many. Its accommodation offers accessible bedrooms and wet rooms, a Changing Places toilet and shower facility and even a sensory room. Not many places go to this level of care and attention, so it’s no wonder they picked up Gold for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, plus Gold for Innovative Employer and Silver for Business Events Venue of the Year. Congratulations!

All award presentation images above credit to Nick Williams Photography

Thanks for getting this far! To find out more about the best tourism businesses in Dorset, see the full list of winners at www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk/winners/2026-winners.

A little on us: Resort Dorset is free to pick up, with 100,000 copies of our much-loved magazine going out each spring and summer. We’re delighted to support the industry by sponsoring the tourism awards, as a thank-you to our advertisers and supporters. Onwards and upwards to 2027!

To find out more about Resort Dorset and what’s new for next year, please get in touch with Laura (pictured right, with Sophie Kermani of In the Bag PR) laura@resortdorset.com