Visitors planning to visit the West Country, perhaps for an off-peak weekend break or a self-catering holiday next summer, will no doubt be interested to find out which attractions were singled out and awarded accolades in the recent Devon Tourism Awards.
The coveted Devon Tourism Awards are decided by an independent panel of judges, including tourism industry leaders and past winners, all chosen for their experience in each category. Mystery shoppers visit short-listed entrants but the results remain a closely guarded secret until the awards ceremony in November. All winners are eligible for consideration in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards held the following February, and the national Visit England Awards in May. The 2012 results have now been revealed at a glitzy ceremony at the Saunton Sands Hotel.
The Visitor Attraction of the Year was shared by Exmoor Zoo at Bratton Fleming and the splendidly refurbished Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter, both well worth a visit. River Dart Adventures scooped Silver and the Tiverton Museum of mid-Devon Life was awarded Bronze.
Those who enjoy festivals will be interested to note that the Agatha Christie Festival on the English Riviera came top with the Gold Award, while the Devon stage of the Tour of Britain Cycling Race took Silver, and FishstockBrixham was commended for its awesome music and fabulous chef-created cuisine on live theatre stages. The event is organized to raise funds for The Fishermen's Mission charity.
The Tourism Information Service category was won by Woolacombe and Mortehoe Tourist Information Centre and the runner-up was the English Riviera Visitor Information Service at Torquay. No doubt both will be pleased to help you make the most of your visit to their respective areas of Devon.
Well-deserved awards for Outstanding Customer Service went to Claire Preece at Kents Cavern (Gold), with The Big Sheep Team bagging Silver and Tara Dare of Hedgehog Corner getting Bronze. Paignton Zoo won the Silver Award for Sustainable Tourism, with the National Marine Aquarium at Plymouth receiving a Bronze award.
If you are looking to eat out somewhere noteworthy, the Taste of Devon Gold Award went to Riverford Field Kitchen at Buckfastleigh. The Silver Award went to The Lazy Toad at Brampton Speke and the Bronze Award went jointly to The Horn of Plenty at Gulworthy, with its country house atmosphere, and to Northcote Manor Country House Hotel in Umberleigh.
Rock and Rapid Adventures at South Molton won the Gold for Best Tourism Activity, Sport and Experience of the Year, while Silver Award went to The Arundell Arms Hotel. It has a fine reputation as one of the best places to find shooting, horseriding and fly fishing in the Lifton Valley area. The Bronze Award was jointly awarded to Eastcott Vineyard at Okehampton and the Calvert Trust on Exmoor, which offers climbing, sailing, obstacle challenge courses, canoeing, orienteering, archery, abseiling, ziplining and bushcraft.
One of those singled out for special mention was Michelin starred chef, Michael Caines MBE, who not only received the award as Head Chef at Hotel of the Year, Gidleigh Park, but also received the well-deserved award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Laura Holt, Chairperson of the Devon Tourism Partnership, said, “Our sincere congratulations must go to Michael Caines who has played a leading role in championing West Country food and tourismâ€.
Congratulations one and all!
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.