THE best of tourism businesses in Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and beyond have been recognised as finalists in the 2023/24 South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

The firms, ranging from hotels to restaurants and cafes, will compete in the regional awards alongside businesses in Gloucestershire, Bath, Bristol, Devon and Cornwall.

The news comes after a process that began in April last year, with nearly 500 entries submitted, and follows the Dorset Tourism Business Awards, which took place at Weymouth Pavilion on February 1.

After a rigorous judging process, the top performers have now been named for the regional final, to be held in the Great Hall of Exeter University on March 14.

As well as the regional final, many of the shortlisted companies will also be nominated to represent the South West in the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.

Lawrence Palk, director of B2B sales from headline sponsors Wildanet, said: “The South West is a world-class tourism destination with so much to offer, regularly attracting millions of visitors each year.

“The Tourism Awards are a fantastic stage on which to showcase and celebrate those incredible businesses that are flying the flag for the region.

“Many congratulations to all the finalists, and on behalf of everyone here at Wildanet, we wish you all the very best of luck and look forward to a wonderful night of celebration on March 14.”

READ MORE: Dorset Tourism Business Awards 2023/24: Full list of winners

Chair of judges Dr Natalie Semley, lecturer in sustainable tourism management at Cornwall Business School, added: “This year we have witnessed an outstanding level of excellence; across the region and all entries.

“The shortlisted finalists really stand out from the crowd, and they are commended for their level of dedication, commitment, and passion towards delivering a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive tourism industry here in the south west.”

Robin Barker, director of services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the awards, said: “It is an honour to be associated with the excellence witnessed across these outstanding businesses, many of whom have not just survived tough times but have innovated, invested and delivered outstanding service to the region’s visitors. Well done to them all.”

The full list of finalists for the 2023/24 South West Tourism Excellence Awards is:

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Living Options
Finalists
Dorset Museum, Dorset
Mountain Lodge, Somerset
Trevassack Holidays, Cornwall
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Glos
Commended
National Trust – Corfe, Purbeck Estate, Dorset

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Quality in Tourism
Finalists
Alexander Lodge, Dorset
Bossington Hall, Somerset
Riverside B&B, Devon
Waterfront House, Devon

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR
Finalists
Dorset Museum, Dorset
Lighthouse Poole, Dorset
Marsham Court Hotel, Dorset
The Tank Museum, Dorset
Commended
Dartmoor Zoo, Devon

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Finalists
Alder Vineyard, Devon
The Middlewick Farm Shop and Café, Somerset
Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms, Dorset

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking
Finalists
Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, Devon
Mendip Basecamp, Bristol
Norden Farm Campsite, Dorset
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Dorset
Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Dorset

CASUAL DINING AWARD
Finalists
Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
Pig and Olive, Devon
The Cove Café Bar, Devon

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Finalists
Kilminorth, Cornwall
Millbrook Cottage & Estate, Devon
The Middlewick, Somerset

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Finalists
Middlewick Holiday Cottages, Somerset
Sleepy Owl Devon, Devon
Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Cornwall
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Glos

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING)
Finalists
Gin & Vodka Masterclass – Colwith Farm Distillery, Cornwall
Indoor Karting – Raceworld, Devon
Learn to Ski – Mendip Activity Centre, Bristol
The Story Tram – Seaton Tramway, Devon

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Booking .com
Finalists
Brackenhill Glamping, Devon
Lydcott Glamping , Cornwall
Valleyside Escapes, Devon

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tozers
Finalists
Cofton Holidays, Devon
Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Devon
Padstow Holiday Village, Cornwall
The Park Cornwall, Cornwall

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Guestline
Finalists
Bovey Castle, Devon
De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Glos
De Vere Tortworth Court, Glos
Holiday Inn Bournemouth, Dorset

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Blue Soup
Finalists
Lappa Valley, Cornwall
Seaton Tramway, Devon
The Milky Way Adventure Park, Devon
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Glos
Commended
Dorset Museum, Dorset

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD, sponsored by Voltshare
Finalists
English Cottage Vacation, Dorset
Sleepy Owl Devon, Devon
Whitebeam Wood, Devon

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SOUTH WEST TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by South West Tourism Alliance
To be announced at the Awards Event

PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Vickery Holman
Finalists
The Acorn Inn, Dorset
The Barrington Boar, Somerset
The Cotley Inn, Somerset
The Peterville Inn, Cornwall

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Sandridge Barton
Finalists
Gambas, Bristol
Podshavers Restaurant, Somerset
The Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath
Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Cornwall

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Touch Stay
Finalists
Bournemouth Beach Lodges, Dorset
My Cottages in St Ives, Cornwall
Sleepy Owl Devon, Devon

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by pkf Francis Clark
Finalists
Lympstone Manor Hotel, Devon
Talland Bay Hotel, Cornwall
The Idle Rocks, Cornwall
THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by AGI
Finalists
Alder Vineyard, Devon
Museum of Dartmoor Life, Devon
Nothe Fort, Dorset
Via Ferrata Cornwall, Cornwall

SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Made for Life Organics
Finalists
The Spa at Bowood, Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Wilts
Your Best You at Aztec Hotel & Spa, Bristol

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Finalists
Arts by the Sea Festival 2022, Dorset
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum 2022, Glos
Heligan Night Garden 2022 – The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
Tankfest 2023, Dorset

UNSUNG HERO AWARD, sponsored by Plymouth Business School
Finalists
Ben Patrick, Lappa Valley, Cornwall
Rosanna Dean, The Tank Museum, Dorset
Shelly Worthy Eveleigh, Born Hectic Events, Devon
Zoe Furse – Aurora Foxes, Somerset

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR, in partnership with South West Coast Path Association
Finalists
English Riviera Visitor Information Centre, Devon
Exmoor National Park Centre Dulverton, Somerset
Plymouth Tourist Information Centre and The Mayflower Museum, Devon
Swanage Information Centre, Dorset

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Plymouth Gin
Finalists
Aldwick Estate, Bristol
Blackfriars Priory, Glos
Rockbeare Manor, Devon