Finalists announced for South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2019/20
Over 100 Tourism businesses from across the South West have been named amongst the Finalists of this year’s Tourism Awards, which saw a record 773 entries from the region including Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The Awards themselves won a national accolade earlier in 2019, achieving the Gold accolade in the Awards Trust Mark scheme for the quality and independence of judging. Those principles have applied to this year’s awards with 50 judges spending weeks poring over entry forms, websites, social media and review sites, as well as carrying out 559 business visits, most of them unannounced mystery visits. Reports and recommendations were then submitted to an independent panel which made the final decisions.
The awards have seen a further increase in entries since 2018, reflecting their importance to entrants in showcasing the quality of their offering and as well as giving benchmark ideas for future improvements.
Surveys of entrants regularly give “To get independent feedback / benchmarking for my business” as a top reason for taking part.
The awards will be presented at a black tie dinner in Exeter Cathedral on 6th February, a return to one of the region’s largest and most popular venues, when the South West’s winning businesses will gather to receive their trophies.
Up to five finalists have been announced in each category, but all will have to wait until 6th February to learn whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze trophies. Some will also be nominated to represent the South West in the national VisitEngland awards.
Jeremy Mitchell, marketing and communications director at headline sponsors St Austell Brewery says: “We’re delighted to sponsor this year’s South West Tourism Awards - an annual celebration of excellence in tourism across the region. From Cornwall, to Bath, the West Country has so many businesses and individuals that deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to tourism and world-class hospitality. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists.”
Robin Barker, director of Services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the Awards, commented: “Our team members continue to be humbled by the excellence and ambition we see amongst our leading tourism businesses. They continue to invest, innovate and improve – and I offer them all our congratulations.”
The full list of Finalists and Commended entrants can be found below:
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Purple Cloud Consultancy, purplecloudconsultancy.co.uk
Finalists
- Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Dorset, durlston.co.uk @DurlstonCP
- Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School, Cornwall, mylorsailingschool.co.uk, @mylorsailing
- North Hayne Farm Cottages, Devon northhaynefarmcottages.co.uk @NorthHayne
- The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath romanbaths.co.uk @RomanBathsBath
Commended
- Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, gloucestercathedral.org.uk @ProjectPilgrim1
- Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk @noahs_ark_zoo
ACTIVE AND SPORTING EXPERIENCE AWARD
Finalists
- Go Skydive, Wiltshire goskydive.com @GoSkydiveUK
- Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Somerset millonthebrue.co.uk @millonthebrue
- Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School, Cornwall, mylorsailingschool.co.uk, @mylorsailing
- Wild Wookey, Somerset wildwookey.co.uk, @wildwookey
Commended
- Adventure Okehampton, Devon adventureokehampton.com @adventureOke
- Bude Canoe Experience, Cornwall, budecanoeexperience.co.uk, @budecanoe
- Calvert Trust Exmoor, Devon calvertexmoor.org.uk @CalvertExmoor
- Reach Outdoors, Devon, reach-outdoors.com @reach_outdoors
B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Quality in Tourism, qualityintourism.com
Finalists
- Pentillie Castle & Estate, Cornwall, pentillie.co.uk, @PentillieCastle
- The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon the25.uk @The25Torquay
- Trevose Harbour House, Cornwall trevosehouse.co.uk, @TREVOSEHOUSE
- Yarner House, Devon yarner.com @Yarnerhouse
Commended
- Driftwood B&B, Devon driftwoodbandb.co.uk @brixham_b
- The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Somerset theoldstablesbandb.com @oldstablesbandb
BUSINESS EVENT VENUE OF THE YEAR, , sponsored by Elavon, elavon.co.uk
Finalists
- Assembly Rooms, Bath bathvenues.co.uk/venues/assembly-rooms @bathvenues
- Event Exeter, Devon event.exeter.ac.uk @eventexeter
- Marsham Court Hotel, Dorset marshamcourthotel.co.uk @MarshamCourt
- The Headland Cornwall, Cornwall headlandhotel.co.uk, @HeadlandHotel
CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Owens Coffee, owenscoffee.com
Finalists
- Boscastle Farmshop & Café, Cornwall boscastlefarmshop.co.uk, @ BFS2K18
- St Mawgan Tea Room and Garden, Cornwall stmawganvillagestores.co.uk
- The Gallery Café, Dorset gallerycafe.uk
- Yellow Bicycle Café, Dorset facebook.com/yellowbicyclecafe @yellowbicycle1
Commended
- Teacup Tearoom, Cornwall, teacuptearoom.com, @teacup_tearoom
- The Blitz Tearoom, Somerset theblitz.uk @TheBlitzWSM
CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERSTAR AWARD, sponsored by South West Water Business, swwbusiness.co.uk
- Winner will be announced on the night
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Forthglade, forthglade.com
Finalists
- Holi Moli Beach Hut, Somerset dunsterbeachhut.com @DunsterBeachHut
- Teacup Tearoom, Cornwall teacuptearoom.com, @teacup_tearoom
- Woodland Cottages, Devon woodlandcottages.org.uk @woodlands_devon
- Wyelets, Gloucestershire wyelets.co.uk
Commended
- The Park Cornwall, Cornwall, theparkcornwall.com/, @theparkcornwall
ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by NFU Mutual, nfumutual.co.uk
Finalists
- Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Dorset bagwellfarm.co.uk, @bagwellfarm
- Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Somerset millonthebrue.co.uk @millonthebrue
- River Dart Country Park, Devon riverdart.co.uk @RiverDartCP
- Wheatland Farm, Devon wheatlandfarm.co.uk @WheatlandFarm
Commended
- Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk @noahs_ark_zoo
- Pentillie Castle & Estate, Cornwall pentillie.co.uk, @PentillieCastle
FORTHGLADE DOG FRIENDLY PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Forthglade, forthglade.com
Finalists
- The Cadeleigh Arms, Devon thecadeleigharms.com @CadeleighArms
- The Grove Arms, Dorset grovearms-ludwell.co.uk @TheGroveArms
- The Halzephron Inn, Cornwall halzephron-inn.co.uk, @InnHalzephron
- The Wheatsheaf, Bath wheatsheafcombehay.com @Wheatsheaf_Bath
GLAMPING BUSINESS & ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Booking.com, booking.com
Finalists
- Devon Dens, Devon devondens.co.uk @woodlanddens
- Devon Yurt, Devon devonyurt.co.uk @devonyurt
- Esme’s Escape – Luxury Shepherd’s Hut, Somerset esmes-escape.co.uk
- Stocklinch Shepherds Hut, Somerset stocklinchshepherdshut.co.uk
- The Treehouses, Somerset treehouseholidays.co.uk
Commended
- Blackdown Yurts, Devon blackdownyurts.co.uk @BlackdownYurts
- Middle Stone Farm Glamping, Somerset middlestonefarm.com
- Penbugle Organic Farm, Cornwall, penbuglefarm.co.uk, @penbugle
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Stephens Scown solicitors, stephens-scown.co.uk
Finalists
- Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall hendra-holidays.com, @HendraHolidays
- Highlands End Holiday Park, Dorset highlandsendholidaypark.co.uk, @wdlh
- Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Devon ladrambay.co.uk @LadramBay
- The Park Cornwall, Cornwall theparkcornwall.com, @theparkcornwall
Commended
- Cofton Holidays, Devon, coftonholidays.co.uk @cofton_Holidays
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Simpleview, simpleviewinc.com
Finalists
- Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Devon kents-cavern.co.uk @Kents_Cavern
- Marlborough College School of English & Culture, Wiltshire mcsec.co.uk @MCol_Summer
- Select South West Tours, Devon & Cornwall selectsouthwesttours.com, @selectSWtours
- The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath romanbaths.co.uk @RomanBathsBath
Commended
- Dartington International Summer School & Festival, Devon dartington.org/summer-school @DartingtonArts
- Jurassic Coast Guides, Dorset jurassiccoastguides.co.uk, @jurassicguides
- The Babbacombe Hotel, Devon thebabbacombehotel.co.uk
- Travel England Tours Ltd, travelenglandtours.com, @TetTours
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Hotel Perfect, hotelperfect.co.uk
Finalists
- Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Dorset harbourhotels.co.uk, @Harbour_Hotels
- Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire lucknampark.co.uk @LucknamPark
- Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa, Devon salcombe-harbour-hotel.co.uk, @SalcombeHHotel
- St Michaels Resort, Cornwall stmichaelsresort.com, @StMichaelsHotel
Commended
- Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire ellenboroughpark.com @EllenboroughPk
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- National Trust Stourhead, Wiltshire nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead @ntstourhead
- St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall stmichaelsmount.co.uk, @stmichaelsmount
- The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath romanbaths.co.uk @RomanBathsBath
- Trebah Garden, Cornwall trebahgarden.co.uk, @trebahgarden
Commended
- Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Dorset farmerpalmers.co.uk @FarmerPalmers
- The Tank Museum, Dorset tankmuseum.org @TankMuseum
LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Bude Canoe Experience, Cornwall budecanoeexperience.co.uk, @budecanoe
- Cornish Wine Tours, Cornwall cornishwinetours.com, @cornishwinetour
- Reach Outdoors, Devon reach-outdoors.com @reach_outdoors
- Sweet Cumin, Somerset sweetcumin.co.uk @sweetcumin
Commended
- Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School, Cornwall, mylorsailingschool.co.uk, @mylorsailing
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SOUTH WEST TOURISM, sponsored by Bristol Airport bristolairport.co.uk
- Will be announced on the night
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD, sponsored by Soundview, soundviewmedia.co.uk
Finalists
- Hayley’s Hut, Devon classicglamping.co.uk/glamping-site/4231/hayleys-hut @HayleysHut
- Longstone Lodge and Café, Isles of Scilly, longstonelodge.co.uk, @longstonelodge
- The Apartment, Bath apartmentbath.com @apartmentbath_
- West Bay Discovery Centre, Dorset westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk @WestBayDC
Commended
- Ekopod, Cornwall ekopod.co.uk
- Treseren, Cornwall treseren.co.uk
PUB OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- The Bell Inn, Gloucestershire thebellinnselsley.com @bellinnselsley
- The Pandora Inn, Cornwall pandorainn.com, @PandoraInn
- The Waterfront Pub & Dining, Devon waterfront-plymouth.co.uk @Waterfront_plym
- Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Dorset threehorseshoesburtonbradstock.co.uk @the_horseshoes
Commended
- The Bear and Blacksmith, Devon thebearandblacksmith.com @BearBlacksmith
- The Litton, Somerset thelitton.co.uk @thelitton
RESTAURANT/BISTRO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hospitality Growth, hospitality-growth.co.uk
Finalists
- Harry’s Restaurant, Devon harrysrestaurants.co.uk @HarrysExeter
- Menu Gordon Jones, Bath menugordonjones.co.uk @MenuGordonJones
- The Dining Room – Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire whatleymanor.com/eat-drink @Whatley_Manor
- The Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath olivetreebath.co.uk @olivetreebath
Commended
- Great Western Restaurant at Bovey Castle, Devon boveycastle.com @BoveyCastle
- The Brasserie by Lucknam Park, Wiltshire lucknampark.co.uk @LucknamPark
SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by pkf Francis Clark, pkf-francisclark.co.uk
Finalists
- Glynn Barton Cottages, Cornwall glynnbarton.co.uk, @glynnbarton
- Greenwood Grange, Dorset greenwoodgrange.co.uk @GreenwoodGrang1
- Holi Moli Beach Hut, Somerset dunsterbeachhut.com @DunsterBeachHut
- North Hayne Farm Cottages, Devon northhaynefarmcottages.co.uk @NorthHayne
Commended
- Ravendere Retreats, Devon ravendere.co.uk
- Sail Lofts – St Ives Ltd, Cornwall thesaillofts.co.uk
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Buckleigh Linen Services, buckleigh.co.uk
Finalists
- Cary Arms & Spa, Devon caryarms.co.uk, @caryarms
- Paschoe House, Devon paschoehouse.co.uk @paschoehouse
- The PIG near Bath, Bath thepighotel.com @The_Pig_Hotel
- Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire whatleymanor.com @Whatley_Manor
Commended
- The Green House Hotel, Dorset thegreenhousehotel.co.uk @Greenhousehotel
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Pear Communications, pearcommunications.org
Finalists
- River Dart Country Park, Devon riverdart.co.uk @RiverDartCP
- Salcombe Distilling Co, Devon salcombegin.com @SalcombeGin
- Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorset shirehalldorset.org @ShireHallDorset
- The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath herschelmuseum.org.uk @HerschelMuseum
Commended
- Camel Valley Vineyards, Cornwall camelvalley.com, @camelvalleybob
- Langham Wine Estate, Dorset, langhamwine.co.uk @LanghamWinery
- The Bear Trail, Devon thebeartrail.co.uk @trail_bear
SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Jarrang, jarrang.com
Finalists
- Aquarias Spa at Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire whatleymanor.com/spa-wellbeing @Whatley_Manor
- ESPA at Lucknam Park, Wiltshire lucknampark.co.uk @LucknamPark
- Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Dorset mellulah.co.uk, @mellulahyoga
- St Michaels Resort, Cornwall stmichaelsresort.com/spa, @stmichaelshotel
Commended
- Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa, Dorset, harbourhotels.co.uk, @Harbour_Hotels
- Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa, Devon ilsington.co.uk @ilsingtonhotel
TOURING CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking, anytimebooking.co.uk
Finalists
- Coastal Valley Camp and Crafts, Cornwall coastalvalley.co.uk
- Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Devon harfordbridge.co.uk @harfordbridge
- River Dart Country Park, Devon riverdart.co.uk @RiverDartCP
- South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Dorset southlytchettmanor.co.uk, @campsitedorset
Commended
- East Fleet Touring Park, Dorset, eastfleet.co.uk
- Stonebridge Farm Caravan Park, Somerset stonebridgefarmcaravanpark.co.uk @stonebridge_cp
TOURISM EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by The Met Office, metoffice.gov.uk
Finalists
- Bath Christmas Market, Bath bathchristmasmarket.co.uk @bathxmasmarket
- Glas-Denbury Music & Arts Festival, Devon glas-denbury.co.uk @GlasdenburyFest
- Porthleven Food Festival, Cornwall porthlevenfoodfestival.com, @PorthlevenFest
- The Tank Museum - Tankfest, Dorset tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events/tankfest
Commended
- Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre, Somerset, glastonburyabbey.com @GlastonburyAbbe and steamhorseevents.com @SHEventsLtd
- The Great Estate, Cornwall, greatestatefestival.co.uk, @GreatEstateFest
TOURISM INNOVATION AWARD, sponsored by Club Wifi, clubwifi.co.uk
Finalists
- Barley Wood, Somerset barleywood.org @Barley_Wood
- Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company – Train of Lights, Devon dsrrbchristmas.co.uk @DartmouthRR
- Tanglewood Table @Tanglewood Kitchen, Isles of Scilly, tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk/tanglewoodtable, @TanglewoodKitch
- The Lorrens Ladies Spa, Devon lorrensladiesspa.co.uk @LorrensSpa
- Yellow Buses, Dorset yellowbuses.co.uk @YellowBuses
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by MiHi Digital, mihidigital.co.uk
Finalists
- English Riviera Visitor Information Service, Devon englishriviera.co.uk @EnglishRiviera
- Swanage Information Centre, Dorset visit-dorset.com/explore/towns/Swanage, @Swanage TIC
- Visit Truro Visitor Information Centre, Cornwall visittruro.org.uk @VisitTruro
- Visit Weston VIC, Somerset visit-westonsupermare.com @visitweston
Commended
- Bridport Tourist Information Centre, Dorset bridportandwestbay.co.uk, @bridportTIC
- Glastonbury Information Centre, Somerset glastonbury.uk
WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Clockwork Marketing, www.clock-work.co.uk
Finalists
- Barley Wood, Somerset barleywood.org @Barley_Wood
- Boconnoc, Cornwall boconnoc.com, @BoconnocEstate
- Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire lucknampark.co.uk @LucknamPark
Commended
- Kitley House Hotel, Devon kitleyhousehotel.com @kitleyhouse
From Cornwall, to Bath, the West Country has so many businesses and individuals that deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to tourism and world-class hospitality.
