Media Release
Sherborne tourism businesses win Gold, Silver and Bronze at Dorset Tourism Awards 2019
The market town of Sherborne, Dorset is celebrating this week as it received confirmation of its tourism "wow" factor with several of its tourism businesses in and around the town receiving major accolades in the Dorset Tourism Awards held on 17 October at Bovington Tank Museum.
One of the top Gold awards of the night went to John Baker, volunteer Festival Director of The Sherborne Abbey Festival for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in Dorset. The popular event is now in its 20th year and has generated 100,000 visitors coming to Sherborne with £300,000 being donated to musical good causes. The Festival also picked up Silver for Event of the Year.
Another Silver award went to The Eastbury Hotel for Best Small Hotel and also a Bronze award in the restaurant category. The Eastbury Hotel is a charming boutique Georgian period listed townhouse hotel, situated in the heart of Sherborne and set within a spectacular walled garden. Recently acquired by Peter & Lana de Savary, the hotel has also just been shortlisted for Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.
Country house hotel The Grange at Oborne was also celebrating as it picked up two Bronze awards for Small Hotel of the Year and an award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism.
Janet Schofield, Chair of Sherborne Tourism Forum, said, "We are delighted so many of Sherborne's tourism businesses have been recognised by these Awards, particularly given the strong competition from the whole of Dorset. Huge congratulations to John Baker who thoroughly deserves the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Every year the Sherborne Abbey Festival brings so many visitors to Sherborne.
"It is also fantastic that Sherborne has seen two of its small hotels picked out as the best places to stay in Dorset, plus an award in the food and drink sectors highlights the town and its surrounding pubs as a real food tourism destination."
Sherborne is not only being recognised as a destination for good food and drink, but also attracts visitors with a mix of different events throughout the year.
There is always something happening in Sherborne. Following the success of its traditional Pack Monday event in the second week of October, the Town is about to hold the Sherborne Literary Festival from 23 - 25 October featuring speakers that include Kirsty Wark and Max Hastings (www. https://www.sherborneliterarysociety.com/festival ) and the Sherborne International Film Festival from 24 to 27 October. (www.shiff.org.uk ).Both annual events are responsible for bringing in a number of visitors from outside the area.
Picture caption: John Baker, volunteer Festival Director of The Sherborne Abbey Festival, won the Gold Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in Dorset.
For high res images and press contacts: Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 913114 E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk www.aheadforpr.co.uk
Contact Sherborne Tourist Information Centre for details on Sherborne attractions:sherborne.tic@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or visitwww.sherbornedorset.co.uk
October 2019 (Sherborne 018)