Best Tourism Experience

This award for 2009 aims to recognise a tourism business that provides an innovative customer experience within the tourism industry and can provide evidence of success.

 

Winner

London Walks

87 Messina Avenue, London

London Walks makes the new familiar and the familier new.

London Walks offers a year-round service, 365 days a year. Launched in the 1960s, it’s the oldest urban walking company in the world!  The company offers over 400 different walks fronted by 70 world class guides.

What not to miss: Britain's foremost crime historian ("Donald Rumbelow is internationally recognised as the leading authority on Jack the Ripper") will be guiding Jacker the Ripper walks. See the website for dates. www.londonwalks.com

National finalists

The Buxton Festival

The Square, Buxton, Derbyshire

Buxton Festival is a celebration of opera, music and literature held every July in the beautiful setting of the Peak District.

Buxton Festival is an annual extravaganza of opera, music and literature held every July in the beautiful setting of the Peak District. Diverse and top quality daytime events ensure there is plenty of entertainment between the opera performances. 

What not to miss: Last year World Music was introduced to the festival so now you can see performers from around the globe in this beautiful English setting. www.buxtonfestival.co.uk

Manchester International Festival

3rd Floor, 81 King Street, Manchester

The world’s first international festival of original, new work drew thousands to Manchester in 2007.

Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events and takes place biennially, in Manchester. The festival aims to celebrate the city’s pivotal role in music, culture, innovation and the arts.

What not to miss: With ambitions to become a major international cultural event, this year’s festival includes music, visual arts, theatre, dance, food and family events. www.mif.co.uk

 

Regional winners

Southwold Pier

North Parade, Southwold, Suffolk

Recently re-built, Southwold Pier is a modern, fun place to be fort all the family - simply a breath of fresh air.

Following extensive renovation, Southwold Pier is now one of the finest examples of a Pier to be found in the British Isles, attracting thousands of visitors every year to Suffolk.

What not to miss: Check out the new children's shop 'Mermaids & Pirates' - brimming with traditional toys and games and the 'Beach Shop', which provides everything you need for a great day out by the coast. www.southwoldpier.co.uk

The Railway Station

Bewdley, Worcestershire

The Severn Valley Railway is the line for all seasons.

For four decades, the Severn Valley Railway has graduated from relative obscurity to a prominent position in British railway preservation. The journey closely follows the meandering course of the River Severn for most of the way.

What not to miss: A highlight is the crossing of the River Severn over the Victoria Bridge - a massive 200-foot single span, high above the water, which featured in the film 'The Thirty-Nine Steps'. www.svr.co.uk

Evolution Festival

Epic Leisure, c/o Generator offices, Black Swan Court

A world class music event organised by lcoal people and promoters.

The annual Evolution Festival traces the evolution of musical styles and the cross-currents between rock, dance, blues, soul, roots, reggae and world music genres.

What not to miss: Audiences can gain access to top-draw artists via 'meet and greets', while there are VIP opportunities to meet bands in back stage areas. www.evolutionfestival.co.uk

The Bertinet Kitchen Limited

12 St Andrews Terrace, Bath

We love teaching people to cook and while we want everyone to have great time on the day they visit us - what we really aim for is something that has a much longer impact - that they are inspired to take the recipes home and use them for many years to come.

Owned and run by award-winning French chef and baker Richard Bertinet and his wife Jo, a former City lawyer, The Bertinet Kitchen offers hands-on cooking and baking courses for food lovers from the age of seven to 70C.

What not to miss: Richard Bertinet's bread making course can be a life changing experience - you'll enjoy making bread so much, you'll never buy a loaf again! www.thebertinetkitchen.com

SailnetUK

12 Western Concourse, Brighton Marina, Brighton

Yacht racing experiences and luxury cruisers, only and hour from London. Step outside of your comfort zone.

Award-winning SailnetUK offers RYA shore-based and water-based training in one of the UK’s most vibrant seaside towns.

What not to miss: Sail to Eastborne for lunch, head out into the English Channel for some real open water cruising, or take a sightseeing tour along the beautiful Sussex coast line. www.sailnetuk.com

Huntfun

The Grange, 7 Lakeside Gardens, Stresall, York

Come…Explore…Discover

The Huntfun team are writers and publishers of self contained town and city treasure hunts, which consist of clues, a map and answers. By following the directions and solving the clues along the way, participants are taken on a guided walk around interesting parts of their chosen location. 

What not to miss: Many hunters often discover things they wouldn’t normally notice and pick up nuggets of history and local interest so keep your eyes peeled. www.huntfun.co.uk

 

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©2009 VisitBritain

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