The South East’s Best Tourism Businesses celebrate at The Beautiful South Awards 2018/19
The Beautiful South Awards at the Grand Hotel Brighton saw TV and radio presenter of sports events including Crufts, Mark Jones, celebrate with the cream of the South East’s tourism industry. 74 businesses and tourism professionals received Gold, Silver or Bronze trophies at what has become the industry’s year end highlight. You can see a short film of the evening here.
One of the biggest winners on the night was The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, which scooped Gold in the Large Attraction, Business Tourism and Accessibility categories.
Other notable wins included The Bell in Ticehurst, East Sussex crowned Tourism Pub of the Year; The Hawk Conservancy Trust winning Gold in the Small Attraction category and Gold for Tom’s Ecolodge at Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight in the Glamping category. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, Buckmore Park Karting and Leeds Castle with its Festival of Flowers brought Golds home for Kent. Oxford Visitor Information Centre came top in the Visitor Information Services category. Winner of Guided Tour of the Year was Brighton and Beyond, Spa Experience was won by Utopia Spa at Alexander House. Blenheim Palace took Gold in the Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism Award with Waddesdon Manor winning International Visitor Experience of the Year.
Amongst the outstanding accommodation providers of 2018/19 were The Vineyard in Berkshire and Gravetye Manor in West Sussex which were crowned Large and Small Hotels of the Year respectively. Hoburne Naish won Holiday Park/Village of the Year and worthy winner of the B&B and self catering Golds were Boreham House in East Sussex and East Afton Farmhouse on the Isle of Wight and one of the biggest cheers on the night was for Ami Culver, individual winner of the Tourism Customer Service Superstar Award.
Run by Tourism South East in partnership with Services for Tourism Ltd, the Awards recognise achievement in the tourism industry over the last 18 months. Through this recognition and the benefits which flow from it, they help drive the ambitions of businesses throughout the South East and encourage them to raise their game.
Nigel Smith, Chief Executive of Tourism South East, said, “Achieving excellence isn’t easy – it takes vision, years of commitment and a lot of hard work from talented people. All of the finalists have got these qualities in abundance. They can be proud of what they have achieved and the example they are setting for others. I was blown away last night by the sheer quality of tourism businesses we have got in the South East and how their numbers are increasing every year. Many of the winners are truly world class.
I am extremely grateful to the sponsors and voluntary judges who make the Awards possible. Once again, our headline sponsor, the Grand Brighton, pulled out all the stops to make the Awards a very special end of year celebration.”
General Manager of the Grand Brighton, Andrew Mosley, said “We were delighted to host the Beautiful South Awards as well as sponsoring the event once more. It is always fantastic to join together the region’s best businesses for a night of celebrating successes. Congratulations to all the worthy winners on the night from all of the team at The Grand Brighton. Events like the Beautiful South Awards really help to shine a spotlight on the quality of the hospitality industry within the South East. It was wonderful to be a part of it.’
Twitter @BStourismawards #BSTA2018
Beautiful South Tourism Awards Winners and Highly Commended 2018/19
Access and Inclusivity Award
Sponsored by Tourism for All www.tourismforall.org.uk
Winners
Gold - Mary Rose Museum, Hampshire www.maryrose.org @maryrosemuseum
Silver - Chichester Festival Theatre, West Sussex www.cft.org.uk @ChichesterFT
Silver - Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire www.wallopswoodcottages.co.uk @Wallops_Wood
Bronze - Stubcroft Farm Campsite, West Sussex www.stubcroft.com
Highly Commended
Fairytale Farm, Oxfordshire www.fairytalefarm.co.uk @fairytale_farm
Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse of the Year
Sponsored by NFU Mutual Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Gold - Boreham House, East Sussex www.borehamhouse.com
Silver - Coast Bed & Breakfast, East Sussex www.coastbexhill.co.uk @coastbexhill
Bronze - The Laindons, East Sussex www.thelaindons.com @TheLaindons
Business Tourism and Venue Award
Sponsored by Visit Brighton www.visitbrighton.com
Winners
Gold - Mary Rose Museum, Hampshire www.maryrose.org/venue-hire @MaryRoseVenue
Silver - New Place Hotel managed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts, Hampshire www.newplacehotel.co.uk @New_Place_SH
Bronze - Leeds Castle, Kent www.leeds-castle.co.uk @leedscastleuk
Highly Commended
Barnett Hill Hotel, Surrey www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/barnett-hill @BHill_Hotel
Holiday Inn Winchester, Hampshire www.hiwinchester.co.uk @holidayinnwinch
Café/Tearoom of the Year
Sponsored by NFU Mutual www.nfumutual.co.uk
Winners
Gold - The Little Kitchen Bistro, Hampshire www.thelittlekitchencompany.com/the-little-kitchen-bistro @LittleKitchenCo
Silver - The Tea Room at Odds Farm Park, Buckinghamshire www.oddsfarm.co.uk @OddsFarmPark
Bronze - Fresco DeliKafessen, Surrey @frescodeliKafessen
Highly Commended
Farmers Grill at Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk @FishersFarmPark
Camping, Caravaning and Holiday Park/Village of the Year
Sponsored by Hoseasons www.hoseasons.co.uk
Winners
Gold - Hoburne Naish, Hampshire www.hoburne.com @hoburneholidays
Silver - Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, Isle of Wight www.awayresorts.co.uk/whitecliff-bay @whitecliffbay
Bronze - Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Hampshire www.awayresorts.co.uk/sandy-balls @sandyballshols
Bronze - Stubcroft Farm Campsite, West Sussex www.stubcroft.com
Highly Commended
Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hampshire www.awayresorts.co.uk/mill-rythe @millrythetweets
Customer Service Superstar Award
Sponsored by Welcome to Excellence www.welcometoexcellence.com
Winners
Gold - Ami Culver - Kits Coty Glamping, Kent www.kitscotyglamping.co.uk @kitscotyglamp
Silver - The House Management Team - Chichester Festival Theatre, West Sussex www.cft.org.uk @ChichesterFT
Silver - Xiaomin (Min) Sun - Southampton Harbour Hotel, Hampshire www.southampton-harbour-hotel.co.uk @Southampton_HH
Bronze - Team Wallops Wood - Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire www.wallopswoodcottages.co.uk @Wallops_Wood
Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Winners
Gold - Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, Kent www.eurotunnel.com @LeShuttle
Silver - Forest Holidays, Blackwood Forest, Hampshire www.forestholidays.co.uk/locations/south-of-england/blackwood-forest-holidays @forestholidays
Bronze - The Running Horse Inn, Hampshire www.runninghorseinn.co.uk @RunningHorseInn
Glamping Business of the Year
Sponsored by eviivo www.eviivo.com
Winners
Gold - Tom’s Eco Lodge at Tapnell Farm, Isle of Wight www.tomsecolodge.com @TomsEcoLodge
Silver - Kits Coty Glamping, Kent www.kitscotyglamping.co.uk @kitscotyglamp
Bronze - Swallowtail Hill, East Sussex www.swallowtailhill.com @swallowtailhill
Highly Commended
Canvas and Stars at Hale Farm, East Sussex www.canvasandstars.co.uk @canvas_stars
Guided Tour of the Year
Winners
Gold - Brighton & Beyond Tours, East Sussex www.brightonbeyondtours.com @lawrencebbtours
Silver - Oxford Castle & Prison, Oxfordshire www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk @OxfordCastle
Silver - See Southampton - Vaults and Vino, Hampshire www.seesouthampton.co.uk @SeeSouthampton
Bronze - English Wine Tasting & Tours, East Sussex www.EnglishWineTastingTours.co.uk @engwinetasting
Highly Commended
Oxford Official Walking Tours run by Experience Oxfordshire www.experienceoxfordshire.org @ExperienceOx
Southampton Tourist Guides Association, Hampshire www.southamptontouristguides.com @TourGuides1976
International/Inbound Visitor Experience of the Year
Winners
Gold - Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire www.waddesdon.org.uk @waddesdonmanor
Silver - Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire www.blenheimpalace.com @BlenheimPalace
Bronze - Brighton & Beyond Tours, East Sussex www.brightonbeyondtours.com @lawrencebbtours
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by insight6 www.insight6.com
Winners
Gold - The Vineyard, Berkshire www.the-vineyard.co.uk @VineyardNewbury
Silver - Southampton Harbour Hotel, Hampshire www.southampton-harbour-hotel.co.uk @Southampton_HH
Bronze - Careys Manor Hotel, Hampshire www.careysmanor.com @careysmanor
Bronze - Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, Buckinghamshire www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk @Danesfieldhouse
Highly Commended
Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa, Hampshire www.balmerlawnhotel.com @balmerlawnhotel
Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa, Kent www.rowhillgrange.co.uk @Rowhill_Grange
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Pear Communications www.pearcommunications.org
Winners
Gold - Mary Rose Museum, Hampshire www.maryrose.org @maryrosemuseum
Silver - Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk @FishersFarmPark
Bronze - Hever Castle & Gardens, Kent www.hevercastle.co.uk @hevercastle
Highly Commended
Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire www.distillery.bombaysapphire.com @homeofbombay
British Airways i360, East Sussex www.britishairwaysi360.com @BA_i360
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire www.waddesdon.org.uk @waddesdonmanor
Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Quality in Tourism www.qualityintourism.com
Winners
Gold - Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire www.blenheimpalace.com @BlenheimPalace
Silver - Stubcroft Farm Campsite, West Sussex www.stubcroft.com
Bronze - The Chestnuts – Eco Chic Cottages, Oxfordshire www.ecochiccottages.com
@ecochiccottages
Restaurant/Bistro of the Year
Sponsored by Signature Wines www.Signature-Brands.co.uk
Winners
Gold - The Terrace Restaurant, Hampshire www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk @themontaguarms
Silver - Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, West Sussex www.gravetyemanor.co.uk @gravetyemanor
Bronze - The Vineyard, Berkshire www.the-vineyard.co.uk @VineyardNewbury
Highly Commended
Beresfords Restaurant at Balmer Lawn Hotel, Hampshire www.balmerlawnhotel.com/dining @balmerlawnhotel
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Quality in Tourism www.qualityintourism.com
Winners
Gold - East Afton Farmhouse, Isle of Wight www.eastaftonfarmhouse.com @TomsEcoLodge
Silver - Lavender House - Shorefield Holidays, Hampshire www.shorefield.co.uk/self-catering-holidays/accommodation/housesandcottages/lavender-house @ShorefieldHols
Silver - Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire www.wallopswoodcottages.co.uk @Wallops_Wood
Bronze - Forest Holidays, Blackwood Forest, Hampshire www.forestholidays.co.uk/locations/south-of-england/blackwood-forest-holidays @forestholidays
Small Hotel/Boutique Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Avon Data www.avondata.co.uk
Winners
Gold - Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, West Sussex www.gravetyemanor.co.uk @gravetyemanor
Silver - The Montagu Arms Hotel, Hampshire www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk @themontaguarms
Bronze - Langrish House, Hampshire www.langrishhouse.co.uk @LangrishHouse
Highly Commended
Blanch House, East Sussex www.blanchhouse.co.uk @blanchhouse
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Winners
Gold - Hawk Conservancy Trust, Hampshire www.hawkconservancy.org @HawkConservancy
Silver - Parham House and Gardens, West Sussex www.parhaminsussex.co.uk @parhaminsussex
Bronze - Royal Engineers Museum, Kent www.re-museum.co.uk @REmuseum
Spa, Pampering and Wellbeing Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Clockwork Marketing www.clock-work.co.uk
Winners
Gold - Utopia Spa at Alexander House, West Sussex www.alexanderhouse.co.uk @ah_hotel
Silver - Champneys Forest Mere, Hampshire www.champneys.com @champneys
Silver - Spa Illuminata Danesfield House, Buckinghamshire www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk/spa @Danesfieldhouse
Bronze - SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel, Hampshire www.senspa.co.uk @SenSpaUK
Highly Commended
Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa, Berkshire www.donningtonvalley.co.uk @donningtonhotel
Tourism Event/Festival of the Year
Sponsored by The Grand Brighton www.grandbrighton.co.uk
Winners
Gold - Festival of Flowers - Leeds Castle, Kent www.leeds-castle.co.uk @leedscastleuk
Silver - Jazz on the Pantiles - Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, Kent www.tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk @Pantiles_Events
Bronze - Airbourne - VisitEastbourne, East Sussex www.eastbourneairshow.com @eb_airshow
Bronze - Chichester Roman Week - The Novium Museum, West Sussex www.thenovium.org @thenovium
Highly Commended
Arlington Bluebell Walk & Farm Trails, East Sussex www.bluebellwalk.co.uk @bluebellwalk
Tourism Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Hospitality Assured www.hospitalityassured.com
Winners
Gold - Buckmore Park Karting, Kent www.buckmore.co.uk @BuckmorePark
Silver - The Source Park, East Sussex www.sourcebmx.com/sourcepark @sourcebmx
Tourism Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Signature Wines www.Signature-Brands.co.uk
Winners
Gold - The Bell in Ticehurst, East Sussex www.thebellinticehurst.com @bell_ticehurst
Silver - The Chaser Inn, Kent www.thechaser.co.uk @thechaserinn
Bronze - The Old Vine, Hampshire www.oldvinewinchester.com @oldvinewinch
Visitor Information Service of the Year
Sponsored by Tourist Network www.touristnetwork.co.uk
Winners
Gold - Oxford Visitor Information Centre, Oxfordshire www.experienceoxfordshire.org @ExperienceOx
Silver - Eastbourne TIC, East Sussex www.visiteastbourne.com @Eastbourne_TIC
Bronze - Guildford Tourist Information Centre, Surrey www.visitguildford.com @guildfordtic
Bronze - Isle of Wight Visitor Information Centre and Travel Ambassador Programme, Isle of Wight www.visitisleofwight.co.uk @iowtravelamb
Highly Commended
Gosport Tourist Information Centre, Hampshire www.discovergosport.gov.uk @moreGosport
Latest News
- Film of awards ceremony 2018 Posted: 21st December 2018
- The South East’s Best Tourism Businesses celebrate at The Beautiful South Awards 2018/19 Posted: 6th December 2018
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