VisitEngland has just declared the winners of the annual Awards for Excellence, which celebrates the best deliverers of nation’s tourism industry products.
In total, 19 winners were pronounced in a ceremony that was led by Julia Bradbury of The Outdoor Guide.
Some of the key winners were The Hive, Birmingham in the category of Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award; Wild Wookey, Somerset for the Experience of the Year; and The Baskerville in Oxfordshire, which was declared Pub of the Year; while Vine + Country Tours, Kent and East Sussex scooped the New Tourism Business Award.
The Dining Room, Whatley Manor won The Taste of England Award, and The 25 Boutique B&B, in Torquay was judged the Best B&B.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said, “These prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have delivered excellence.
“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and this year’s awards are also a timely reminder of the determination, innovation and commitment of businesses across the country who have been working extremely hard to reopen, to welcome visitors back safely and to continue to provide a first-class experience.”
If you are planning an England staycation, perhaps you could consider some of the gold, silver and bronze award winners.
B&B and Guest House of the Year
Gold – The 25 Boutique B&B, Torquay, Devon
Silver – St. Cuthbert’s House, Northumberland
Bronze – Haven Cottage, Cumbria
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Gold – Landal Darwin Forest, Derbyshire
Silver – Swallowtail Hill, East Sussex
Bronze – Eye Kettleby Lakes, Leicestershire
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Gold – The Hive, Birmingham
Silver – The Quiet Site, Lake District
Bronze – Hoe Grange Holidays, Derbyshire
Experience of the Year
Gold – Wild Wookey, Somerset
Silver – Ezekial Bone, Nottingham Robin Hood Town Tour, Nottinghamshire
Bronze – ZSL London Zoo Lodges, London
International Tourism Award
Gold – International Bomber Command Centre, Lincolnshire
Silver- The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath.
Bronze – Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.
Large Hotel of the Year
Gold – The Ned, London
Silver – Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Bronze – Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa, Hampshire
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold – The Old Royal Naval College, Greater London
Silver – The Roman Baths and Pump Room, Bath
Bronze – Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire
New Tourism Business Award
Gold – Vine + Country Tours, Kent and East Sussex
Silver – Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, East Yorkshire
Bronze – The Flower Bowl, Lancashire
Pub of the Year
Gold – The Baskerville, Oxfordshire
Silver – The Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Dorset
Bronze – The Howard Arms, Warwickshire
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Gold – North Hayne Farm Cottages, Devon
Silver – Wallops Wood Cottage, Hampshire
Bronze – Broadgate Farm Cottage – East Yorkshire
Small Hotel of the Year
Gold – Grays Court, North Yorkshire
Silver – Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
Bronze – Seaham Hall, Seaham County Durham
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold – Gladstone Pottery Museum, Staffordshire
Silver – Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Somerset
Bronze – Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorset
Taste of England Award
Gold – The Dining Room,Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
Silver – John’s House, Leicestershire
Bronze – Restaurant Hjem, The Hadrian Hotel, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
Read about Mark Bibby Jackson’s Taste of England expereince in Whatley Manor: a Gourmand’s Delight.
A full list of Awards for Excellence winners can be found here.
