A wealth of wins for Devon in SW tourism awards
‘A record finale to a record year’ was one description of this year’s Awards night, as 10 months of work culminated in the presentation of 98 trophies to the South West’s leading tourism businesses at the South West Tourism ExcellenceAwards 2014-15.
The event, in association with Source for Business, saw Devon establishments taking home a grand total of 30 awards with 5 Gold Awards, 9 Silver and 16 Bronze.
With Taiko drummers grabbing the audience’s attention and dancing till the small hours, this year’s awards were announced on Thursday 12th February 2015 in the Great hall of the Grand Pier at Weston super Mare, where 98 different awards were announced following a rigorous judging process in which a record 425 entries were considered. With Devon establishments winning no less than 30 awards, Carolyn Custerson, Chair of Visit Devon says of the county’s success:
'This is great news for Devon, we are delighted the County has been recognised in this way. After the difficult year we had with the storms last winter it is great to be recognised in this way. It is a terrific achievement to win so manyawards and demonstrates the breadth and quality of Devon’s offering.'
This year’s awards event was hosted by ITV news presenter Kylie Pentelow, with an inspiring opening address by travel writer and adventurer Monty Halls, famous for his BBC Great Escape series. The event broke new ground being hosted at Weston’s Grand Pier, itself a Bronze winner on the night, with many guests visiting for the first time.
The awards broke the previous record for entries with 425 submissions being considered, each going through a rigorous 3-stage judging process or marking, visits and panel meetings.
Amongst the night’s big winners were Devon’s Millbrook Cottages, taking joint for self-catering, the Elmdene, outright gold winner in the B&B category, and Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges, gold for Sustainable Tourism.
Judges were delighted to see increased interest in the important Access & Inclusivity category, with golds shared between Countryside Mobility in Devon and the Bath Preservation Trust. There was also increased interest in the Venue & Business Tourism award, won for the first time by Devon’s Deer Park Hotel.
425 were considered for the Awards, with all entrants undergoing a rigorous short-listing process and 275 being visited by a team of 35 mystery shoppers. Entry was free, and all entrants received feedback on how they had done, giving them useful tips for future success.
Up to six Award winners from each category in this year’s awards have also had the opportunity to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in May.
Chair of Judges, Alistair Handyside, said: “The list of finalists really does look like a who’s who of the best in the industry in the South West. Once again the entrants have surpassed themselves in showing that investment, innovation and creativity remain at the heart of the visitor economy in the region.”
John Crouch, Commercial Manager for Title Sponsors, Source for Business, said: “The west country celebrated the success of the tourism sector in tremendous fashion last night and it was gratifying to see the diversity of businesses gaining recognition. South West Water is supporting all tourism businesses through a dedicated Business Solutions Manager to help the sector save water and money.”
Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, who manages the awards programme, added: “There’s little more gratifying in life than knowing you’re making a positive difference, and the feedback we receive from business tells us the awards do just that. So I offer very many thanks to all concerned – the sponsors, judges and entrants. You bring so much to an oft-neglected industry that is at the heart of this region.”
The full list of Finalists and Highly Commended entrants is shown below and can also be found at www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk
Winners and highly commended in association with Source for Business
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by A Head for PR www.aheadforpr.co.uk
Bronze
Corinium Museum, Cirencester, Glos www.coriniummuseum.org
Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth, Devon www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year
Sponsored by Pavey Group www.paveygroup.co.uk
Gold
Bosinver Farm Cottages, St Austell, Cornwall www.bosinver.co.uk
Millbrook Cottages, High Bickington, Devon www.millbrookcottages.co.uk
Bronze
Cosawes Barton, Ponsanooth, Cornwall www.cosawesbarton.co.uk
North Hayne Farm Cottages, South Molton, Devon www.northhaynefarmcottages.co.uk
The Headland Hotel Cottages, Newquay, Cornwall www.headlandhotel.co.uk
Access & Inclusivity Award
Sponsored by Purple Cloud Consultancy www.purplecloudconsultancy.co.uk
Gold
Bath Preservation Trust, Bath www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk
Countryside Mobility South West, Exeter, Devon www.countrysidemobility.org
Silver
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton, Devon www.thelmahulbert.com
Bronze
Kernock Cottages, Saltash, Cornwall www.kernockcottages.com
Stover Country Park & Local Nature Reserve, Newton Abbot, Devon www.devon.gov.uk/stover_country_park.htm
The Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/
B&B and Guest Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Lloyds Cardnet www.lloydsbankcardnet.com
Gold
The Elmdene, Torquay, Devon www.elmdenehotel.co.uk
Bronze
Highcliffe Contemporary Bed & Breakfast, Falmouth, Cornwall www.highcliffefalmouth.com
The Minadab Cottage, Teignmouth, Devon www.minadab.co.uk
The White House, Charmouth, Dorset www.whitehousehotel.com
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Sponsored by Hoseasons www.hoseasons.co.uk
Michael Eavis, Founder of the Glastonbury Festival www.glastonberyfestival.co.uk
Holiday Park & Village of the Year
Sponsored by Stephens Scown LLP www.stephens-scown.co.uk
Silver
Cofton Country Holidays, Dawlish, Devon www.coftonholidays.co.uk
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster, Dorset www.southlytchettmanor.co.uk
Bronze
Beverley Holidays, Paignton, Devon www.beverley-holidays.co.uk
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth, Devon https://www.haven.com/parks/devon/devon-cliffs/
Mawgan Porth Holiday Park, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall www.mawganporth.co.uk
Small Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Buckleigh Linen Services www.buckleigh.co.uk
Silver
Talland Bay Hotel, Looe, Cornwall www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk
The Horn of Plenty, Gulworthy, Devon www.thehornofplenty.co.uk
Bronze
Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis, Dorset www.hotelalexandra.co.uk
Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth, Devon www.royalcastle.co.uk
The Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes, Cornwall www.idlerocks.com
Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Green Tourism www.green-tourism.com
Gold
Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges, Winkleigh, Devon www.wheatlandfarm.co.uk
Bronze
Bosinver Farm Cottages, St Austell, Cornwall www.bosinver.co.uk
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth, Devon https://www.haven.com/parks/devon/devon-cliffs/
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, Devon www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Clockwork Marketing www.clockworkhospitality.co.uk
Silver
Highbullen Hotel Golf and Country Club, Umberleigh, Devon www.highbullen.co.uk
Bronze
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Colerne, Wilts www.lucknampark.co.uk
St Michael’s Hotel & Spa, Falmouth, Cornwall www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk
The Headland Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall www.headlandhotel.co.uk
The Magdalen Chapter, Exeter, Devon www.themagdalenchapter.com
Special Award for Water Management
Sponsored by Source for Business www.sourceforbusiness.co.uk
The Emerald, Carnon Downs, Cornwall www.emeraldcornwall.co.uk
Venue & Business Tourism Award
Sponsored by e-Strategy www.e-strategy.net
Gold
Deer Park Country House Hotel, Honiton, Devon www.weddingvenueindevon.co.uk
Bronze
Old Down Manor, Tockington, Bristol www.olddownmanor.co.uk
The Horn of Plenty, Gulworthy, Devon www.thehornofplenty.co.uk
Tourism Activity, Sport & Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Moore Scarrott www.moore-scarrott.co.uk
Bronze
Padstow Seafood School, Padstow, Cornwall www.rickstein.com
Reach Outdoors, Paignton, Devon www.reach-outdoors.com
Taste of the South West Award
Sponsored by Total Produce www.totalproducelocal.co.uk
Silver
Langmans Restaurant, Callington, Cornwall www.langmansrestaurant.co.uk
Northcote Manor Country House Hotel, Umberleigh, Devon www.northcotemanor.co.uk
Ston Easton Park Hotel, Bath www.stoneaston.co.uk
Bronze
Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac, Cornwall www.outlaws.co.uk/fishkitchen
The Horn of Plenty, Gulworthy, Devon www.thehornofplenty.co.uk
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Sponsored by The Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk
Bronze
Matthew Bottoms from Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, Devon www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Sponsored by Springboard www.springboard.uk.net
Carol Wager of Welcome to Excellence
Tourist Information Service of the Year
Sponsored by Quality in Tourism www.qualityintourism.com
Silver
Bodmin Visitor Information Centre, Cornwall www.bodminlive.com
Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centres, Devon www.dartmoor.gov.uk
Tourism Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Hale Events www.hale-events.com
Silver
Acorn Inn, Evershot, Dorset www.acorn-inn.co.uk
The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Somerset www.thequeensarms.com
The Millbrook Inn, Kingsbridge, Devon www.millbrookinnsouthpool.co.uk
Tourism Event of the Year
Sponsored by Bristol Airport www.bristolairport.co.uk
Silver
Bournemouth Air Festival 2014, Bournemouth, Dorset www.bournemouthair.co.uk
Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink, Devon www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, Devon www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk
Bronze
Plymouth Pirate Weekend, Plymouth, Devon www.visitplymouth.co.uk
Sherborne Abbey Festival, Sherborne, Dorset www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Take One Media www.takeonemedia.co.uk
Bronze
At-Bristol Science Centre, Bristol www.at-bristol.org.uk
The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset www.grandpier.co.uk
World Of Country Life, Exmouth, Devon www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk
Winner of Winners
Sponsored by First Great Western www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Bosinver Farm Cottages, St Austell, Cornwall www.bosinver.co.uk
