The South East’s Best Tourism Businesses celebrate at The Beautiful South Awards 2018/19

Last night’s 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.

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