28-30 November 2007
England’s visitor accommodation is going up-market with more four- and five-star properties accepted into VisitBritain’s National Quality Assessment Standards, while the number of two- and three-star accommodation lessens.
England’s visitor accommodation is going up-market with more four- and five-star properties accepted into VisitBritain’s National Quality Assessment Standards, while the number of two- and three-star accommodation lessens.
In the six months since April 2007, the number of England’s 5-star hotels assessed by VisitBritain has risen by 3% and there are now 10% more four-star properties. Together four- and five-star guest accommodation has risen by 8%, while there are now over 12,300 four or five-star self-catering units – up 2%.
However, it is not an indication that England is getting more expensive. According to the national tourism agency’s ‘Great Places to Stay’ guide, per person per night, prices can start from as little as £25 – £55.
Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, says: “Our visitors are ever-more demanding and expect even greater quality from the places they stay and we are seeing this reflected in the growth of four- and five-star properties. However, it’s worth pointing out that 3-star properties still make up the majority of quality hotels and nearly half of guest accommodation and there are thousands of three- and lower-star properties across our schemes.
“Ultimately England offers something for every taste and budget and each one has been checked out by our experienced assessors, before its guests check in.”
From £25.00
Stay at Witch Hazel in Wicklewood, near Wymondham, Norfolk: a four-star, silver award-winning B&B with home-grown breakfasts, secluded garden and views across open countryside.
www.witchhazel-norfolk.co.uk
Unwind at Kasbah in Ryde of the Isle of Wight: a four-star hotel, which captures the magic of Morocco individually themed bedrooms, yoga and beauty treatments just a stone’s throw from the seafront.
www.kas-bah.co.uk
Enjoy the open fires, sandstone floors and Victorian cooking range of Hornby Hall, a four-star hotel and Tudor manor house close to Penrith in Cumbria.
www.hornbyhall.co.uk
Step back in time at Manor House Farm in Prestwood, near Uttoxeter: a four-star silver award-winning Jacobean farmhouse with oak furniture and timbers, tapestries, four-poster beds and open log fires, just two miles from Alton Towers.
www.4posteraccom.com
Relax in a different Brixton at Venn Farm, near Plymouth. This four-star guest accommodation in the South Hams offers converted, beamed, stone barns, oak floors and country garden.
www.vennfarm.co.uk
From £30.00
Rediscover the good life at Yewfield at Hawkshead in Cumbria’s Ambleside. As well as panoramic views over Lake Windermere, this four-star B&B or self-catering property in 30 acres of organic land, offers vegetarian meals and classical concerts.
www.yewfield.co.uk
Wind down at five-star B&B Tall Ships near Charlestown, Cornwall. Uses only local produce and all-Cornish ingredients for breakfast and is just 500 yards from the sea.
www.cornwalltoday.co.uk
Get comfortable at Fairfield Garden, a four-star guest house at Cumbria’s Bowness-on-Windermere: built more than 200 years ago and once owned by designer Annie Garnett it features four-posters and log fires.
www.the-fairfield.co.uk
Overlook the village green at Manorhouse, a five-star gold award-winning B&B in Beyton, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Manorhouse is a 15th century timbered longhouse with inglenook fireplace, 12th century pillars and beamed walls and ceilings.
www.beyton.com
Get away from it all at Ascot House in York. The four-star, silver award-winning guest house has four-poster or canopy beds, oriel (or windowed bay) and is owned by a Lord Mayor of York.
www.ascothouseyork.com
From £35.00
The former home of illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell, Ocklynge Manor is a five-star B&B and just a ten minute stroll from Eastbourne’s town centre. Beautiful gardens and 100% Egyptian cotton sheets add to the opulent interior décor complete with grand piano.
www.ocklyngemanor.co.uk
Stay at The Ayrlington’s five-star, gold award-winning guest accommodation just a five minute walk from the centre of Bath. Individually themed bedrooms and guest areas feature English and Asian antiques, artwork and fine fabrics.
www.ayrlington.com
From £40.00
Unwind at Mitchell’s of Chester, a five star, silver award-winning B&B with sweeping staircase and tall rooms. The lounge looks out and down onto unusual brick vaults tunnelling three metres under the garden.
www.mitchellsofchester.com
Be just 15 minutes by train from London at Melrose House, a four-star B&B in the southeast of the capital. Beautifully restored Victorian townhouse with courtyard garden and one room with four-poster bed.
www.uk-bedandbreakfast.com
Tuck in to specially prepared breakfasts (from their own recipe book) at Woodlands close to Padstow in Cornwall and a five-star, silver award-winning country house B&B. Individually decorated rooms with views sweeping down to Trevone Bay.
www.woodlands-padstow.co.uk
And at £55.00
Lounge about at four-star B&B, The Firs in Bath: a Victorian property with open log and coal fires and large gardens and patio for guests.
e-mail: dawnsandora@gmail.com
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For further information, please contact:
Patricia Yates, Head of Publicity and PR on 020 8563 3262, mob: 07971 497003
Elliott Frisby, Corporate PR Manager on 020 8563 3035, mob: 07951 996241
Notes to Editors
· VisitBritain is responsible for promoting Britain as a world class tourist destination and for developing England's visitor economy through Enjoy England campaigns and initiatives.
· UKresidents took 101 million trips, spending £16.2 billion in England in 2006.Since its launch in 2003, Enjoy England has been responsible for £450m of incremental spend on short breaks in England. In addition to national TV advertising campaigns to inspire British visitors to share their secrets of England, the portfolio of campaigns focuses on city breaks, outdoor activities, food & drink and indulgent escapes. Enjoy England markets England in France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
· Visit the England press centre at www.enjoyengland.com/presscentre.