Beautiful South Awards

Winners from the Beautiful South Awards 2013 have submitted their entries to the national awards for excellence. The South East is represented in all categories and the judging process is now underway, finalists will be announced in April.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on 12 May 2014 which this year sees Visit England mark 25 years of hosting the event. There promises to be a real party atmosphere as businesses celebrate their success on the national tourism stage.

Last year winners from the Beautiful South Awards scooped three gold awards – fingers crossed and good luck to all the entrants for 2014.

Now running for over twenty years the Beautiful South Awards celebrate the very best the South East has to offer for all types of tourism businesses including B&Bs, hotels, holiday parks, self catering, visitor attractions as well as recognising those businesses that have gone the extra mile on accessibility, sustainability and great customer service.

This year's award ceremony was co-hosted by TSE Chairman, Ken Robinson CBE and travel journalist and broadcaster Alison Rice. In welcoming guests to the event Ken Robinson thanked title sponsors Shepherd Neame for their generous support and all sponsors and partners for making the event possible.

The Gold winners for 2013-2014 included Coworth Park, a tranquil retreat in Ascot, who lifted the gold award for large hotel of the year. It was a great night for businesses in the New Forest with The Montagu Arms Hotel scooping the top accolade for small hotel of the year, the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu International Autojumble picking up gold and Hoburne in Bashley taking top spot for Holiday Park of the year. Small businesses, which are such a major part of tourism in the south east, were represented by some real gems this year. Top B&B of the year was picked up by Kester House in East Sussex and the small visitor attraction of the year was awarded to Chiltern Open Air Museum.

It was ‘same again please’ at The Feathered Nest Country Inn, but this time ‘make it a double’. This Great Country Pub received gold for the second year running as tourism pub of the year and was also awarded gold for flavour of the south east - an outstanding performance.

"Ken Robinson said: “It is great to see such excellence rewarded. These 2013 Beautiful South Awards represent the culmination of hard work and dedication by the best tourism professionals, in our best tourism businesses, that have been recognised for providing such outstanding customer experiences. I look forward to seeing our winners go on to represent the South East on the national stage at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2014.”

Peter Colling, Managing Director of Tourism South East added, “What a brilliant night and reminder to everyone that the South East is home to some of country’s very best tourism businesses and experiences.”

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: "These awards showcase the huge breadth of attractions available in our region. The winners' innovation and dedication are helping to make the south a key destination for visitors from both home and abroad."

See #BSAWARDS for Tweets relating to the Awards.

Click HERE to see photos from the evening.

List of Finalists by Accolade

Business Tourism Award

Beautiful South Awards

Title Sponsor

Sponsors & Partners