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Record number of nominations received for Devon Tourism Awards

22nd October 2019

Categories: Visitor News

A record 240 entries were received for this year’s Devon Tourism Awards from across the county, with 88 selected as finalists who will find out whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze at this year’s Awards ceremony at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay in November.

This is the 10^th year of the competition, and there have been many changes over the year with new entry forms, processes and a closer than ever link with the regional South West and national VisitEngland Awards. The judging has also changed, with an increased focus on digital presence and all entrants now receiving feedback.

The finalists for 2019 are as follows:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award (sponsored by Purple Cloud Consultancy)

Finalists
- Calvert Trust Exmoor, Barnstaple
- Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay
-North Hayne Farm Cottages, South Molton

Active and Sporting Experience of the Year

Finalists

-Adventure Okehampton, Okehampton

-Calvert Trust Exmoor, Barnstaple

-Reach Outdoors, Paignton

-Sea Kayak Torbay, Torquay

Commended

-Adventure South, Salcombe

B&B and Guesthouse of the Year (sponsored by EVIIVO)

Finalists
-Driftwood B&B, Brixham
-The 25 Boutique B&B, Torquay
-Yarner House, Bovey Tracey

Commended
-The Somerville Boutique B&B, Torquay

Business Events Venue of the Year

Finalists
-Event Exeter, Exeter

-Holne Park House, Asburton

-Kidney House Hotel, Yealmpton

-Salcombe Harbour hotel and Spa, Salcombe

Café/Tearoom of the Year (sponsored by Owens Coffee)

Finalists

-Café-ODE, Shaldon
-Amelia’s Pantry at Cofton Holidays, Dawlish
-Valley View Café, Loddiswell

Commended
-Chocella/Ella’s Chocolate Emporium and Tea Rooms, Brixham

Customer Service Superstar Award (sponsored by South West Water Business)

Winners will be announced on the night.

Dog Friendly Business of the Year (sponsored by Forthglade)

Finalists
-Cofton Holidays, Dawlish
-Paschoe House, Bow
-Woodland Cottages, Barnstaple

Commended
-Fairwater Head Hotel, Hawkchurch
-Kipscombe Holidays, Bratton Fleming
-Stowford Farm Meadows, Combe Martin

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award (sponsored by NFU Mutual)

Finalists
-Cofton Holidays, Dawlish
-River Dart Country Park, Ashburton
-The 25 Boutique B&B, Torquay
-Wheatland Farm, Winkleigh

Commended
-Devon Dens, Okehampton
-Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh

Forthglade’s Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

Finalists

-The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton
-The Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton

Glamping and Alternative Accommodation of the Year sponsored by Mihi Digital

Finalists
-Blackdown Yurts, Cullompton
-Devon Dens, Okehampton
-Devon Yurt, Tavistock

Commended
-Dreamhuts Retreat, Cullompton

Holiday Park of the year sponsored by Stephens Scown

Finalists
-Cofton Holidays, Dawlish
-Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton
-Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Dawlish

International Visitor Experience of the Year sponsored by Simpleview

Finalists

-Dartington International Summer School and Festival, Dartington
-Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay
-The Babbacombe Hotel, Babbacombe

Large Hotel of the Year sponsored by Hotel Perfect

Finalists

-Bovey Castle, North Bovey
-Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa, Salcombe
-Woolacombe Bay Hotel, Woolacombe

Commended
-Crowne Plaza Plymouth, Plymouth

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Elavon

Finalists

-Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh
-RHS Garden Rosemore, Great Torrington
-The BIG Sheep, Bideford
-The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
-The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford

Learning Experience of the Year sponsored by Dartington Crystal

Finalists
-Reach Outdoors, Paignton
-Salcombe Distilling Co., Salcombe
-Skern Lodge, Bideford

New Tourism Business Award sponsored by Soundview

Finalists

-Dreamhuts Retreat, Cullompton
-Hayley’s Hut, Torrington
-Sea Kayak Torbay, Torquay
-Valleyside Escapes, Tiverton

Outstanding Contribution to Devon Tourism sponsored by Visit Devon

* To be announced on the night *

Pub of the year sponsored by Bays Brewery

Finalists

-The Bear and the Blacksmith, Kingsbridge
-The Three Crowns, Chagford
-The Waterfront Pub and Dining, Plymouth

Commended
-The Black River Inn, Beaworthy
-The Cove Café Bar, Kingsbridge

Restaurant/Bistro of the Year sponsored by Thomas Westcott

Finalists
-Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-On-Sea

-Great Western Restaurant at Bovey Castle, North Bovey

-Harry’s Restaurant, Exeter

-La Petite Bouchee, Witheridge

-The Angel, Dartmouth

Commended

-The Salty Sparrow Bisto Café, Brixham

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year sponsored by Quality in Tourism

Finalists

-Alpine Park Cottages, Exeter

-Cofton Holidays, Dawlish

-North Hayne Farm Cottages, South Molton

-Ravendere Retreats, Ilfracombe

Commended
-Kipscombe Holidays Babbling Brook Cottage, Barnstaple

-Newhouse Farm Cottages, Witheridge

-Wheatland Farm Nature Reserve and Lodges, Winkleigh

Small Hotel of the Year sponsored by Clockwork Marketing

Finalists
-Cary Arms and Spa, Babbacombe

-Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple

-Paschoe House, Bow

Commended
-Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-Sea

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Westward

Finalists
-River Dart Country Park, Ashburton
-Salcombe Distilling Co., Salcombe
-The Bear Trail, Cullompton

Commended
-Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay
-Torquay’s Dinosaur World, Torquay

Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year

Finalists

-Islington Country House hotel and Spa, Newton Abbot

-The Alchemist Spa at Woolacombe Bay Hotel, Woolacombe

-The Lorrens Ladies Spa, Torquay

Special Award for Energy Conservation sponsored by Beco Energy

*Will be announced on the night*

Touring Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year sponsored by Vickeryholman.com

Finalists
-Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Tavistock
-Oakdown Holiday Park, Sidmouth
-River Dart Country Park, Ashburton

Commended

-Kipscombe Holidays Devon Banks Campsite, Barnstaple

Tourism event/Festival of the Year

-Glasdenbury Music and Arts Festival, Denbury
-The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, Dartmouth
-Torbay Airshow, Torquay

Tourism Innovation Award sponsored by NatWest Business Banking

Finalists

-Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company – Train of Lights, South Devon

-The Lorrens Ladies Spa, Torquay

-Ravendere Retreats, Ilfracombe

Visitor Information Service of the Year

-English Riviera Visitor Information Service, Torquay

-Plymouth Tourist Information Centre, Plymouth

Wedding Venue of the Year sponsored by Christie and Co

Finalists

-Deer Park Country House, Weston

-Holne Park House, Ashburton

-Kitley House Hotel, Yealmpton

Winner of Winners sponsored by Voyage Travel Marketing

*will be announced on the night*

Awards organiser, Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, commented: “Change is one constants in business success and so it is with awards. Ten years ago we launched the Devon Tourism Awards with 80 entries and concluded with an awards event for 120. This year we have seen a record 240 entries and expect over 300 for the event.

“We have also achieved our own recognition, winning a Gold accredition in the Awards Trustmark scheme, the first in the UK tourism and I’d like to publicly thank all those who have helped along the way.”