Dorchester Winners at the Dorset Tourism Awards 2026/27
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
Dorchester businesses took home six awards at the Dorset Tourism Awards 2026/27, including Gold for Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. With winners just outside town included, the Dorchester area collected 11 awards across 9 categories.
The awards, with headline sponsor Tomorrows Travel, recognise the best of tourism and hospitality across the county. This year, the county town more than held its own.
Dorchester’s winners at a glance
| Business | Category | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Dorset Museum & Art Gallery | International Tourism Award | Gold |
| Dorset Museum & Art Gallery | Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award | Silver |
| Dorset Museum & Art Gallery | Large Visitor Attraction of the Year | Silver |
| Peppina Sicilian Bakery, Poundbury | Restaurant & Casual Dining of the Year | Silver |
| Peppe Canenti, Peppina Sicilian Bakery | Unsung Hero Award | Special Recognition |
| The King’s Arms | Hotel of the Year | Bronze |
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery: three awards in one night
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery was Dorchester’s standout performer, winning three awards in three different categories.
- Gold, International Tourism Award
- Silver, Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award
- Silver, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
The spread of those awards says a lot. The museum is drawing visitors from overseas and welcoming people of every ability, while competing with the county’s biggest attractions. For Dorchester, that makes it more than a museum: it is one of the main reasons people choose the town for a day out.
The King’s Arms: Bronze for Hotel of the Year
took Bronze in Hotel of the Year, standing alongside some of Dorset’s best-known hotels. That recognition matters for the town centre: guests who stay overnight eat, shop and explore Dorchester in a way that day visitors often don’t.
Peppina Sicilian Bakery: Silver, plus an Unsung Hero
Peppina Sicilian Bakery in Poundbury won Silver in Restaurant & Casual Dining of the Year. A bakery competing in a restaurant category and coming away with Silver is a real achievement.
There was a second honour too. Peppe Canenti received Special Recognition in the Unsung Hero Award, which celebrates the people whose hard work makes a business what it is.
Award winners on Dorchester’s doorstep
Two much-loved businesses just outside town also had a great night.
Greenwood Grange won four awards:
- Gold, Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Silver, International Tourism Award
- Bronze, Dog Friendly Business of the Year
- Special Recognition, Unsung Hero Award, for Jacqueline Harvey
- https://www.greenwoodgrange.co.uk/
Brace of Pheasants won Gold in Pub of the Year.
Brace of Pheasants, near Dorchester
Both bring visitors into the Dorchester area, and many of their guests head into town to eat, shop and explore.
Why this matters for Dorchester
Awards like these give visitors confidence when they are choosing where to spend their time and money. Between them, Dorchester’s winners cover culture, places to stay, and food and drink. That is everything someone needs for a weekend away or a day trip into town.
They also show what Dorchester does well: independent businesses, run by people who care, offering visitors something they won’t find elsewhere.
Plan your visit
Why not see for yourself? Visit the museum, stop for lunch at Peppina, and stay the night at The King’s Arms.
Congratulations to every Dorchester business recognised this year, and to everyone in their teams who made it happen.
FAQs
Which Dorchester businesses won at the Dorset Tourism Awards 2026/27?
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery won three awards, including Gold for the International Tourism Award. The King’s Arms won Bronze for Hotel of the Year. Peppina Sicilian Bakery in Poundbury won Silver for Restaurant & Casual Dining, and Peppe Canenti received Unsung Hero Special Recognition.
How many awards did Dorset Museum & Art Gallery win?
Three: Gold in the International Tourism Award, Silver in the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award and Silver in Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Which award did The King’s Arms in Dorchester win?
Bronze in Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Profitroom.
What did Peppina Sicilian Bakery win?
Silver in Restaurant & Casual Dining of the Year, sponsored by Casa Di Vini. Peppe Canenti also received Special Recognition in the Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by Crumbs.
Did any businesses near Dorchester win?
Yes. Greenwood Grange won four awards, including Gold for Self Catering Accommodation of the Year. Brace of Pheasants won Gold for Pub of the Year.
Who sponsors the Dorset Tourism Awards?
The 2026/27 headline sponsor is Tomorrows Travel. Individual categories have their own sponsors.
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