The South West’s celebrated coastline is among the destinations being showcased in a new national tourism campaign from VisitEngland, aimed at encouraging more people to holiday closer to home and support visitor economies across England’s coastal communities.
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South West ale trail spanning 150 pubs launches during Cask Ale Week
Beer lovers are being invited to explore some of the South West’s most-loved pubs as a new ale trail launches across more than 150 venues to mark the start of Cask Ale Week 2026.
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Kingston prepares for its inaugural food festival
A celebration of local food, community and Purbeck’s hidden gems is set to take over the village of Kingston this October.
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Daish’s Holidays strengthens senior leadership team with two key appointments
Daish’s Holidays, an independent coach holiday group, has appointed Imran Muhammad as Group Financial Controller and Craig Hodgkinson as Operations Manager, strengthening its senior leadership team as it continues to invest in the future growth of the business.
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Dorset’s Tourism Awards 2026 finalists revealed
This year’s Dorset Tourism Awards Finalists have been announced following three months of judging by an independent panel of tourism experts.
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Taste of the West launches new membership programme, as CIC marks first anniversary
One year on from the rescue and relaunch of Taste of the West as a Community Interest Company (CIC), its founding directors have presented their vision for the future of the food group.
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Hall & Woodhouse launches new Badger Beer, The Spanner, in partnership with James May
Dorset-based family brewer and pub company, Hall & Woodhouse, have developed a brand-new session beer, The Spanner, in collaboration with Top Gear legend and pub owner, James May.
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Purbeck Cider invites the local community to be part of a unique charity cider initiative
Independent Dorset cidermaker Purbeck Cider Company is inviting consumers to get closer to the cider-making process this September, with the return of its annual Apple Day on Saturday 12th September 2026.
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Baboo Gelato becomes first ice cream maker to win three consecutive Great Taste 3-Star Awards
Dorset producer’s Hazelnut gelato takes the industry’s highest accolade for the third year running — making Baboo one of only three companies across the whole of Great Taste, and understood to be the only ice cream or gelato producer, to win a 3-star in 2024, 2025 and 2026
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Six talented young chefs from across the South West have secured their places in the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year 2026
The six finalists in the Junior Chef category, for under 16-year-olds, emerged from a series of county finals held throughout June and July, impressing expert judges with their skill, creativity and passion for local ingredients.
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Haddon House Hotel wins big in Nisbets Matchday Mega Bundle
Haddon House Hotel shoots and scores as winner of Nisbets’ Matchday Mega Bundle.
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New West Country Produces podcast launched
A new podcast celebrating the people, products and stories behind the South West’s food and drink sector has been launched by Devon-based media company Evo-media.
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New national programme opens doors for South West food and drink producers
A new national initiative is aiming to break down barriers and open up major supply chain opportunities for small and micro businesses — including those across the South West’s thriving food and drink sector.
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Michael Caines launches South West Chef of the Year competition for 2026
The search has begun for the region’s best chefs. Entries are now open for the South West Chef of the Year.
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Dorset’s Sea Sisters hooks £78k to scale British fish cannery
A Dorset-based cannery dedicated to premium canned British fish is expanding thanks to a total of £78,600 in funding from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, with support from its partner SWIG Finance.
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Isaac Cider goes light with ‘Weightless’ 0.5% launch
Dorset-based Isaac Cider has launched Weightless, a new lightly sparkling 0.5% cider aimed at the growing demand for premium low and no-alcohol drinks across the on and off-trade.
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