Looking for a hot hotel or bodacious B&B to book in England? Want to recommend a restaurant of distinction, perfect pub or insightful museum? VisitEngland’s Awards of Excellence may give some clues. The 31st annual awards celebrate the best of the country’s tourism industry for 2020.
The winners, which reflect “champion innovation, quality and best practice across the industry” and “businesses and individuals who raise the bar of England’s tourism offer” were recently revealed during a virtual awards event in categories ranging from attractions to hotels, experiences and F&B establishments, and a few other categories to boot.
“These prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have delivered excellence. From a world-class boutique B&B in Devon to adventure-packed experiences in Somerset, from an accessible country park and national nature reserve in Dorset to a bespoke English wine tour in Kent, our award winners provide stand-out experiences of the highest calibre,” said VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe.
The envelope please!
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
• Gold: Durlston Country Park & National Nature Reserve, Dorset
• Silver: Birmingham Hippodrome, West Midlands
• Bronze: Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School, Cornwall
B&B and Guest House of the Year
• Gold: The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon
• Silver: St Cuthbert’s House, Northumberland
• Bronze: Haven Cottage, Cumbria
Business Events Venue of the Year
• Gold: The Brewery, Greater London
• Silver: College Court Conference Centre and Hotel, Leicestershire
• Bronze: NTU Events and Conferencing, Nottinghamshire
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 Café and Bakery, West Midlands
• Silver: The Quiet Site, Cumbria
• 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, Greater London
International Tourism Award
• Gold: International Bomber Command Centre, Lincolnshire
• Silver: The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Somerset
• Bronze: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Large Hotel of the Year
• Gold: The Ned, Greater London
• Silver: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
• Bronze: Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa, Hampshire
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Gold: Old Royal Naval College, Greater London
• Silver: The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Somerset
• Bronze: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire
New Tourism Business Award
• Gold: Vine + Country Tours, Kent & East Sussex
• Silver: Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, East Yorkshire
• Bronze: The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, Lancashire
Pub of the Year
• Gold: The Baskerville, Oxfordshire
• Silver: 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 Cottages, Hampshire
• Bronze: Broadgate Farm Cottages, East Yorkshire
Small Hotel of the Year
• Gold: Grays Court, North Yorkshire
• Silver: Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
• Bronze: Seaham Hall, 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 Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire
• Silver: John’s House, Leicestershire
• Bronze: Restaurant Hjem, Northumberland
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