The Winners - Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2009
Access for All Award
The Hytte
Denewood, Bingfield, Hexham, Northumberland
Sonja and Simon Gregory are the couple behind The Hytte, a Norwegian inspired, traditional timber hytte or mountain lodge featuring a grass roof. The Gregorys’ philosophy is to create a place where people of different abilities can come together to enjoy a carefree holiday.
What not to miss: Explore the nearby and ancient market town of Hexham with its magnificent 12th century abbey. www.thehytte.com
Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year
Augill Castle
South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
Augill Castle is not a hotel, but a family home and country house, which welcomes guests and offers extraordinary accommodation.
What not to miss: Visit the nearby, and often over looked Eden Valley for spectacular unspoilt beauty. www.augillcastle.co.uk
Best Day Out - as voted by the readers of Travelmail
The Minack Theatre, Cornwall
Launched in 2008, this category attracted thousands of votes from Travelmail readers who voted in their droves for The Minack Theatre.
What not to miss: The winning visitor had this to say, “My perfect day out would be driving to Sennon Cove in Cornwall, sitting by the beach watching the waves whilst having lunch and then heading to the Minack Theatre, at Porthcurno to enjoy one of their fantastic open air shows.” www.minack.com
Best Tourism Experience
London Walks
87 Messina Avenue, London
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
Best Website of the Year
The Old School
Newton on the Moor, Northumberland
The Old School offers five-star, B&B accommodation situated in the tranquil conservation village of Newton on the Moor in rural Northumberland.
What not to miss: The Old School is a short drive from the stunning sights of Bamburgh Castle, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands. www.northumberlandbedandbreakfast.co.uk
Business Tourism Award
Rheged Centre
Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria
The Rheged Centre is hailed to be be Cumbria’s leading family day out for a number of different reasons. Its facilities include 4 giant movies, a new free ‘Discovering Cumbria’ exhibition and a Cumbria information centre.
What not to miss: Giant movies - Five films per day are shown on the biggest movie screen for miles around. The films are suitable for all ages. www.rheged.com
Caravan Holiday Park of the Year
Hidden Valley Park
West Down, Ilfracombe, North Devon
Hidden Valley Park is nestled amid 27 acres of glorious Devonshire countryside and is the only park in the region to offer luxury touring facilities all year round. The award-winning site scooped the South West Holiday Park of the Year award – a testament to the owner’s philosophy to provide the ‘wow’ factor to guests.
What not to miss: Camping doesn't have to mean roughing it. Try out the new Therapy room for a relaxing massage. www.hiddenvalleypark.com
Hotel of the Year
Gidleigh Park
Chagford, Devon
With its 54 acres of beautiful parklands and the North Teign River flowing through its grounds, Gidleigh Park epitomises the very best that Devon has to offer.
What not to miss: Priding itself for its gastronomic success, Gidleigh Park’s restaurant which specialises in innovative modern European cuisine has earned two Michelin stars and Conde Nast Traveller’s 2008 Gold Best for Food award. www.gidleigh.com
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Harewood House
Harewood, Leeds
Home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, Harewood House provides a great day out for all the family.
What not to miss: Celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2009, visitors can marvel at the Adam ceilings, Chippendale furniture, Chinese wallpaper and Old Master paintings in the House or explore the award winning gardens. Children will love the adventure playground. www.harewood.org
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
The great English ‘pub’
Actor Neil Morrissey, proprietor of the restored Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn pub in Yorkshire, picked up the prestigious tourism award on behalf of all publicans at the award ceremony.
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Bob Evans
Brunel's ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol
Since he started work for Brunel's ss Great Britain over 20 years ago, ship steward Bob Evans has consistently demonstrated exceptional standards of care. Affectionately known as ‘Captain Bob’, his approach and attention to detail is appreciated by colleagues, clients and trustees.
What not to miss: The Curator's Choice is a gold ring inscribed with a dedication to Captain Charles Chapman. Visit the website to find out more. www.ssgreatbritain.org
Self Catering Holiday of the Year
Noelle's Cottages
Middleton Hall, Pickering
Noelle’s Cottages are a collection of three cosy, stylish and luxurious cottages, set in the grounds of a Georgian House in Middleton, close to Pickering. The three carefully renovated self-catering cottages are each set in their own secluded garden.
What not to miss: For nature enthusiasts there is an abundance of rabbits, badgers and chirruping wildlife. www.noellescottages.co.uk
Woodhouse Farm Cottages
Staplow, Ledbury, Herefordshire
Guests have a selection of three award-winning, self-catering properties at Woodhouse Farm Cottages, which nestles amid cider orchards and is a few hundred yards from an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
What not to miss: Beauty treatments are available by appointment. www.thewoodhousefarm.co.uk
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
78 Derngate: The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries
82 Derngate Northampton
Completed in the 1820s, 78 Derngate enjoyed an unremarkable history until 1916 when it was re-modelled by the famous Scottish architect, designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
What not to miss: The adjoining building, 82 Derngate, has been transformed into a stunning combination of Regency grandeur, housing the glamorous new restaurant, galleries, atrium, shop and reception. www.78derngate.org.uk
Sustainable Tourism Award
The Venus Company
Unit A, Block B, Halwell Business Park, Halwell, Totnes, Devon
“Loving the Beach” sums up the ethos behind the Venus Company comprising a mix of cafes and beach shops in Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth and Bigbury on Sea in Devon and Tolcarne in Cornwall. The company strives to bring the professionalism of the High Street to some of the UK’s most beautiful seaside locations while integrating environmental and social care into every aspect of decision-making.
What not to miss: "The best al fresco Mediterranean style dining experience in a UK beach setting." www.venuscompany.co.uk
Taste of England Award
The Pipe & Glass Inn
West End, South Dalton, Beverley, East Yorkshire
Dating back to the 15th century, the Pipe & Glass Inn stands on the site of the original gatehouse to Dalton Park, still the residence of Lord Hotham.
What not to miss: The wine list is sourced entirely from small producers, there is also a wide selection of regularly changing hand-pulled ales on offer. www.pipeandglass.co.uk
Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre
Rykneld Square, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
The purpose-built Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre is located in Rykneld Square next to Chesterfield’s major attraction, the 'Crooked Spire' Church.
Gifts are sourced locally so customers can buy products that are unique, individual and which add a “sense of place” to their experience. www.visitchesterfield.info
