Devon Tourism Awards 2015 finalists announced

Devon’s leading tourism businesses have been chosen for the finals of the Devon Tourism Awards which will be presented at a prestigious ceremony on 26th November 2015.

This year sees an increase to 22 categories in the competition which is now in its 6th year following its launch in 2010 in association with Visit Devon. The year also saw an increase by 34% to 174 entries from the cream of the Devon tourism industry, with 65 businesses selected as finalists who will be in suspense until 26th November when they will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 26th November at the Holiday Inn in Plymouth, where the event will be hosted by Judi Spiers along with a special guest.

Successful businesses in the Devon Tourism Awards will then be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2016 and then possibly invited to represent Devon in to the National VisitEngland Awards later in 2015.

The Chairman of the Awards Panel, David Fursdon, says:

“The Devon Tourism Awards have shown once again that this County has a wonderful group of hardworking and imaginative entrepreneurs whose tourism businesses are a credit to them; a source of pride to those of us who live here and act as a powerful magnet to those who visit.”

Visit Devon Chairman, Victoria Hatfield, comments: “It is an inspiration to see the year-on-year investment in quality that keeps Devon at the forefront of tourism. This year’s list of Finalists is longer than ever and I offer my congratulations to them all”

Paul Hardingham, Commercial Director of Headline Sponsors Hoseasons, says: “Devon represents everything that is exceptional about the Great British break - that’s why we are delighted to be supporting these awards once again. We help bring thousands of people to the area every year, but it’s the passion and dedication of the businesses we work with that keeps them coming back for more. Well done to the winners and all the best for another fantastic year in 2016!”

Awards organizer Robin Barker of Services for Tourism commented: “I just love this industry! This year’s judges have visited 97 Devon businesses – more than ever before – and their reports are a joy to read.”

DEVON TOURISM AWARDS FINALISTS 2015 in association with Hoseasons www.hoseasons.co.uk

ACCESS & INCLUSIVITY
Sponsored by Purple Cloud Consultancy www.purplecloudconsultancy.co.uk
Finalists
Calvert Trust Exmoor, Kentisbury www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, Tiverton www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk

ACTIVE & SPORTING EXPERIENCE
Finalists
Mayflower Marina, Plymouth www.mayflowermarina.co.uk
Reach Outdoors, Goodrington Sands www.reach-outdoors.com
Ultimate Adventure Centre, Bideford www.UltimateAdventureCentre.com

ARTISTIC, CULTURAL & LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Brittany Ferries www.brittanyferries.co.uk
Finalists
Le Vignoble, Plymouth www.levignoble.co.uk
River Cottage HQ, Musbury www.rivercottage.net
Virtual Jet Centre Ltd, Chudleigh www.virtualjetcentre.co.uk

B&B, GUEST ACCOMMODATION & INN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Nicholson’s www.nicholsonssw.co.uk
Finalists
Kaywana Hall, Kingswear www.kaywanahall.co.uk
Mitchelcroft B & B, Buckfastleigh www.mitchelcroft.co.uk
Rydon Farm Bed & Breakfast, Woodbury www.rydonfarmwoodbury.co.uk
CAFÉ & TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Source Trade Show www.thesourcetradeshow.co.uk
Finalists
Home Farm Café, Bovey Tracey www.homefarmcafe.co.uk
The Guardhouse Café, Brixham www.guardhousecafe.com
Vintage Tea, Totnes www.vintageteatotnes.co.uk
Highly Commended
The Sea Shanty Beach Café, Branscombe www.theseashanty.co.uk
Two Coast County, Exeter www.twocoastcounty.co.uk

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK
Sponsored by A Head for PR www.aheadforpr.co.uk
FINALISTS
Oakdown Country Holiday Park, Sidmouth www.oakdown.co.uk
Whitehill Country Park, Paignton www.whitehill-park.co.uk
Woodovis Park, Gulworthy www.woodovis.com

DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
Sponsored by Doggy Devon www.doggydevon.co.uk
Finalists
Higher Wiscombe, Colyton www.higherwiscombe.com
Whitehill Country Park, Paignton www.whitehill-park.co.uk

HOLIDAY PARK & HOLIDAY VILLAGE
Sponsored by Stephens Scown solicitors www.stephens-scown.co.uk
Finalists
Beverley Holidays, Paignton www.beverley-holidays.co.uk
Hele Valley Holiday Park, Ilfracombe www.helevalley.co.uk
Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton www.ladrambay.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Exeter International Airport www.exeter-airport.co.uk
Finalists
Mazzard Farm, Ottery St Mary www.mazzardfarm.com
Torquay International School, Torquay www.tisenglish.co.uk
Unique Devon Tours, Newton Abbot www.uniquedevontours.com

LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by DISCVR www.discvr.agency
Finalists
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Gt Torrington www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
The Milky Way, Bideford www.themilkyway.co.uk

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hotel Perfect www.hotelperfect.co.uk
Finalists
Highbullen Hotel Golf & Country Club, Umberleigh www.highbullen.co.uk
Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa, Salcombe www.salcombe-harbour-hotel.co.uk
The Grosvenor Plymouth, Plymouth www.grosvenor-plymouth.com

PUB OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Accounting & General www.accountingandgeneral.co.uk
Finalists
Dukes, Sidmouth www.dukessidmouth.co.uk
The Swan, Bampton www.theswan.co
The Victoria Inn, Salcombe www.victoriainn-salcombe.co.uk

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Charles Darrow www.charlesdarrow.co.uk
Finalists
Northcote Manor Hotel, Umberleigh www.northcotemanor.co.uk
Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Kingsbridge www.soarmillcove.co.uk
The Coach House by Michael Caines at Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple   www.kentisburygrange.com
The Elephant Restaurant & Brasserie, Torquay www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk

SELF CATERING
Sponsored by Quality in Tourism www.qualityintourism.com
Finalists
Aish Cross Holiday Cottages, Stoke Gabriel www.aishcross.co.uk
Higher Wiscombe, Colyton www.higherwiscombe.com
Mazzard Farm, Ottery St Mary www.mazzardfarm.com
Highly Commended
Eastacott Barton, Umberleigh www.eastacottbarton.co.uk

SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by App for Devon with Westward Marketing www.appfordevon.com
Finalists
Plymouth Gin, Plymouth www.plymouthdistillery.com
Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton www.thelmahulbert.com
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, Tiverton www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Clockwork Marketing   www.clock-work.co.uk
Finalists
Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel, Kingsbridge www.tout-saints.co.uk
Kentisbury Grange, Barnstaple www.kentisburygrange.com
Northcote Manor Hotel, Umberleigh www.northcotemanor.co.uk
Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth www.royalcastle.co.uk
South Sands Hotel, Salcombe www.southsandshotel.com

SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Brewer and Bunney www.brewerandbunney.co.uk
Finalists
The Spa at Ilsington, Ilsington www.ilsington.co.uk
Highly Commended
Hartland House Spa, Bideford www.hartlandhouseretreat.com

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by Plymouth Gin www.plymouthgin.com
Finalists
Higher Wiscombe, Colyton www.higherwiscombe.com
Mazzard Farm, Ottery St Mary www.mazzardfarm.com
National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth www.national-acquarium.co.uk
Woodovis Park, Gulworthy www.woodovis.com

TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Booking.com www.booking.com
Finalists

Armed Forces Day, Plymouth www.visitplymouth.co.uk
Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink, Exeter www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

TOURISM INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by MiHi Digital www.mihidigital.co.uk
Finalists
Axminster Tourist Information Centre, Axminster www.axminstertouristinformation.co.uk
Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre, Dartmouth www.dartmoutheverytime.co.uk

UNSUNG HERO AWARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Sponsored by South West Water Business Services www.swwbusiness.co.uk
Will be announced on the night

VENUE & BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by Triodos Bank www.triodos.co.uk
Finalists

Dartington Hall, Dartington www.dartingtonhall.com
Deer Park Country House Hotel, Honiton www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk
Highbullen Hotel Golf & Country Club, Umberleigh www.highbullen.co.uk

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DEVON TOURISM
Will be announced on the night

WINNER OF WINNERS
Sponsored by Great Western Railway www.gwr.com
Will be announced on the night

To view the list online please visit:
http://www.devontourismawards.org.uk/page/37/2015-finalists.htm