Highcliffe The Castle Pantry has been named a finalist in the Café & Tearoom of the Year category at the Dorset Tourism Awards 2026.
The recognition follows the successful reopening and development of the Pantry, which returned to Highcliffe Castle in 2024 after the café had been closed since 2022.
Operated by Adventure Attractions Ltd, The Castle Pantry has been developed as an integral part of the wider visitor experience at Highcliffe Castle, combining a quality food and drink offer with the distinctive setting of the historic castle and its grounds.
Since reopening, the Pantry has introduced a range of seasonal and special experiences, including afternoon tea, alongside a food and drink offer designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and make more of their visit to Highcliffe.
The Pantry has also developed strong links with the local community, including its partnership with Lewis-Manning Hospicecare. Through fundraising and activity at the Pantry, the team has helped support the charity’s work across Dorset while giving visitors the opportunity to contribute to a local cause during their visit.
The Pantry has become an important part of the wider Highcliffe Castle experience, giving visitors another reason to spend time at the site and extending the offer beyond the castle itself.
The finalist position recognises the work of the Pantry team and the wider Adventure Attractions operation in bringing the café back to life and continuing to develop the experience around visitors and the local community.
James Balcazar, Group Marketing Manager, Adventure Attractions
“We’re incredibly proud of what the team has achieved at The Castle Pantry. When we reopened the café, we saw an opportunity to create something that complemented Highcliffe Castle and gave visitors another reason to spend time here.
“It’s not just about the food and drink. It’s about the whole experience, from the setting and service through to our seasonal offer and involvement with the local community. Our work with Lewis-Manning Hospicecare is particularly important to us and reflects the role we want the Pantry to play within the community.
“Being recognised as a finalist in the Dorset Tourism Awards is a fantastic endorsement of the team’s hard work and everything they’ve achieved since reopening.”
The Dorset Tourism Awards celebrate excellence across the county’s tourism and hospitality industry, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony on 22 October 2026.
The Castle Pantry team will now join fellow Dorset finalists at the ceremony, where the winner of Café & Tearoom of the Year will be announced.
The winners of each award category go forward to the South West Tourism Awards. Top performers from the regional awards may then be selected to represent the region in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.