Winners of VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013 announced
The Swan hotel in Lavenham, Gidleigh Park in Chagford (pictured) and the Feathered Nest were among this year's gold award winners at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013.
Held at The Point, Lancashire Cricket Club, last night, the presentation evening saw 20 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze awards being handed out to the best accommodation providers, visitor attractions and individuals within England's tourism industry.
The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award was presented to the army of 70,000 Games Markers in recognition of the nine million hours spent welcoming and assisting visitors at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
VisitEngland's Chief Executive, James Berresford, said: "The awards champion the very best in quality and customer service, and continue to help to raise standards across the industry, establishing England's place as a world-class destination and a brilliant place to visit."
The key hospitality winners in what was the 24th VisitEngland Awards for Excellence were:
Business Tourism Award
ExCel London - Gold
Manchester Central, Manchester - Gold
Rockliffe Hall, Darlington, Ct Durham - Silver
Arundell Arms Hotel, Lifton, Devon - Bronze
York Marriott, York, Yorkshire - Highly Commended
Large Hotel of the Year
The Swan Hotel, Lavenham, Suffolk - Gold
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall - Silver
The Lowry Hotel, Salford, Gt Manchester - Bronze
Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, York, North Yorkshire - Highly Commended
Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire - Highly Commended
Taste of England Award
Overwater Hall, Ireby, Cumbria - Gold
Samuel's at Swinton Park, Masham, North Yorkshire - Gold
Redwell Country Inn & Restaurant, Carnforth, Lancashire - Bronze
Drewtons Ltd, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire - Highly Commended
Blackfriars, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear - Highly Commended
Tourism Pub of the Year
The Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire - Gold
The Drunken Duck, Ambleside, Cumbria - Silver
The Yew Tree Inn, Tarporley, Cheshire - Bronze
The Millstone at Mellor, Blackburn, Lancashire - Highly Commended
Rashleigh Arms, St Austell, Cornwall - Highly Commended
B&B/Guest Accommodation
Alkham Court Farmhouse, Nr Dover, Kent - Gold
Pendragon Country House, Camelford, Cornwall - Silver
The Salty Monk Restaurant with Rooms, Sidmouth, Devon - Bronze
Fern Cottage B&B, Pucklechurch, South Glos. - Highly Commended
The Bears Paw, Sandbach, Cheshire - Highly Commended
Sustainable Tourism Award
Beechenhill Farm, Ashbourne, Derbyshire - Gold
Hoe Grange, Matlock, Derbyshire - Silver
Kelling Heath, Holt, Norfolk - Bronze
At-Bristol Science Centre, Bristol - Highly Commended
Small Hotel of the Year Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon - Gold
Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere, Cumbria - Silver
Northcote, Langho, Lancashire - Bronze
The Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall - Highly Commended
Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire - Highly Commended
