We are delighted to congratulate three of our 2025 Beautiful South Awards winners – The Grand Brighton, Bletchley Park and Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks – on reaching the finals of the 2026 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
Murray Wilson, General Manager of The Grand Brighton, said “We are delighted to receive this national accolade from VisitEngland. To be recognised at this level is a real honour for the entire team, as it reflects their dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences. This award comes at a pivotal moment, following the completion of our £17 million transformation in late 2025, which has revitalised The Grand while preserving its heritage.”
The Oaks, went on to say, “We are absolutely thrilled to have reached the finals of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and feel incredibly privileged to be representing the South East. For a small independent business like ours, this recognition means so much not only to our family, but also to the wider team of artisans, set designers and illusionists whose creativity and hard work help make Cedar Hollow an immersive experience, rather than simply a place to stay.”
Their success highlights the exceptional quality, innovation and dedication found across the Beautiful South region, with all three now representing the area on the national stage.
Announcing this year’s finalists, VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said, “These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England. I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.”
We are incredibly proud to see these outstanding businesses recognised at a national level and wish them every success at the awards in June.
If you would like to compete in the 2027 VisitEngland Award for Excellence you need to enter the Beautiful South Tourism Awards, where winners from selected categories (see marked with VE here) automatically go through to compete on the national stage.
Start your awards journey here.
