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Award-winning Devon Businesses

5th December 2017

Categories: Visitor News

It’s been a fantastic year for Devon – and not least at the recent Devon Tourism Awards, where some of our county’s best tourism businesses were recognised across 25 categories.

We’ve profiled some of this year’s Gold winners – and follow the links below to read on our website about some of the also excellent silver, bronze and highly commended places to stay, eat and visit.

Find more excellent places to stay, eat and visit across Devon
Read about all the winners at the Devon Tourism Awards 2017

Gold award winners

Cary Arms & Spa
SMALL/BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR – Gold
SPA AND WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR – Gold
With the personality and values of a traditional English inn and the luxurious style and facilities of a boutique hotel, the Cary Arms & Spa offers you a relaxed and modern getaway making the most of its sensational coastal location and breath-taking views. Set in a remarkable position overlooking Babbacombe Bay and miles of seascape along the Jurassic Coast, the inn and surrounding grounds have been sympathetically restored and remodelled to offer stylish and spacious accommodation designed to rival the best hotels in the country – the English Riviera reborn. Its eight “New England” style guest rooms are chic and restful
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Plymouth Gin
ARTISTIC, CULTURAL & LEARNING EXPERIENCE AWARD - Gold
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - Gold
GUIDED TOUR OF THE YEAR - Bronze
Take a guided tour and learn about the art of making the world-famous Plymouth Gin, enjoy a tutored tasting of the range and then relax in the Refectory cocktail lounge – the ultimate place to enjoy a cocktail, and where the Pilgrim Fathers are said to have spent their last night before setting sail in the Mayflower to the New World. The working home of Plymouth Gin, Black Friars Distillery, is the oldest working gin distillery in England and is situated in the heart of the historic port city of Plymouth. Connoisseur Tours are also available for small groups to discover even more fascinating secrets about this fascinating drink.
https://vimeo.com/176465731
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Unique Devon Tours
GUIDED TOUR OF THE YEAR - Gold
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR – Bronze
This multi award-winning company offers exclusive guided tours of Devon and the surrounding counties for small groups of up to six people, or larger groups by special arrangement. Choose from a series of pre-planned one day tours, or tours that are specially tailor-made according to the interests of the people in the party. Multi day tours are also offered, and organisation of transfers, hand-picked accommodation and meals are included as part the service.
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The 25 Boutique
B&B BED AND BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR - Gold
WINNER OF WINNERS 2017
Funky design meets cutting-edge technology in this fabulously refurbished boutique B&B which is no stranger to winning awards - TripAdvisor placed it in the top ten B&Bs in the UK in its Travellers' Choice Award 2017. The 25 offers six individually styled luxurious bedrooms to relax in, each with a fabulous en-suite. You’ll be greeted warmly, receive great service and appreciate lots of little touches you just don’t get elsewhere.
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Haytor Hotel
ACCESS AND INCLUSIVITY AWARD - Gold
SMALL/BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR – Highly Commended
This elegant detached Victorian Villa is set in beautiful gardens in a conservation area – yet is just 400 metres from central Torquay and harbour. It also has received many awards, including Trip Advisor's prestigious Travellers' Choice 2017 award for Best Service.
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River Dart Country Park
CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR - Gold
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD – Silver
In 90 acres of parkland next to the River Dart on the edge of Dartmoor you’ll find the adventurous camping family’s paradise: generous size pitches, extensive playgrounds for children big and small, and instructor-lead activities including high ropes and water zorbs. This is a wonderful base from which to experience the beauty of Devon and Dartmoor, offering everything that camping in the great outdoors is all about.
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Paignton Zoo
SPECIAL AWARD FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
For 10 weeks in the summer of 2016, life-size rhino sculptures rampaged through the streets, parks and open spaces of the English Riviera and Exeter. Paignton Zoo’s Great Big Rhinos Project created a fun trail for all the family to enjoy, as well as promoting awareness of the conservation threat facing wild rhinos.
More about Paignton Zoo

Bovey Castle
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR - Gold
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Bronze boveycastle.com
SPA AND WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR - Bronze
Bovey Castle certainly provides a unique experience; set in the heart of Devon, in 275 acres of Dartmoor is history, excitement, glamour and adventure. Where else can you wear your Hunter Wellies at 8am, Golf Spikes at 3pm and Manolo Blahniks for dinner? The hotel offers its own Elan spa, as well as road driving experiences, cider and sloe gin making, archery, tennis, falconry and fishing.
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Deer Park Country Hotel
VENUE & BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD - Gold
Set in 80 acres of glorious grounds, this delightful 18th Century Georgian mansion is a boutique hotel with so much to offer, including fabulous food, stunning rooms and excellent facilities. The hotel’s attention to detail means that whether you’re there for business or pleasure, you can be sure that everything will go without a hitch.
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Exmoor Zoo
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD 2017
Stephen Eddy, Exmoor zoo’s qualified veterinary nurse, zoo keeper and educational officer has been recognised for going above and beyond to ensure that visitors to the zoo get the absolute most out of their time there.
More about Exmoor Zoo

Longlands
GLAMPING & ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR - Gold
This ‘Boutique Hotel with canvas sides’ offers ‘a mix of luxury and simplicity in a setting of incomparable beauty’. Nestling in a private secluded valley, overlooking the North Devon coast, these five beautifully furnished luxury Safari lodges offer real beds, ensuite showers, Chesterfield sofas and wood burning stoves – bliss!
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Kingsbridge Information Centre
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR - Gold
Start your experience in Kingsbridge here – a fantastic source of knowledge and help to anyone visiting this beautiful part of Devon. You'll find plenty of inspiration for places to visit, stay and eat.
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Find more excellent places to stay, eat and visit across Devon
Read about all the winners at the Devon Tourism Awards 2017

Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended

Aish Cross Holiday Cottages
SELF CATERING HOLIDAY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - Silver

Cofton Holidays
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR - Silver
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD - Bronze
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Go Ape
ACTIVE & SPORTING EXPERIENCE AWARD – Bronze
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Ladram Bay Holiday Park
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR – Bronze
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Quince Honey Farm
ARTISTIC, CULTURAL & LEARNING EXPERIENCE AWARD - Silver
GUIDED TOUR OF THE YEAR - Silver
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR – Silver
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National Trust Greenway House
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR – Highly Commended
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RHS Garden Rosemoor
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - Silver
VENUE & BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD – Silver
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The Bear Trail
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR - Bronze
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Whitehill Country Park
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Highly Commended
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR HC – Highly Commended
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Thurlestone Hotel
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR - Bronze
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