DEVON TOURISM AWARDS

Photo: Higher Wiscombe

The cream of Devon

Rhys Roberts was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism at the Devon Tourism Awards, which like their Cornish counterpart, were held online this year.

Rhys received the accolade following his five years as chair of Visit Devon and decades contributing in multiple roles across tourism. The National Trust’s Kerry Dawson took the Business Leader award. In total, 67 awards were presented across 24 categories. Accommodation golds went to Higher Wiscombe, Lincombe Hall Hotel, The Horn of Plenty, Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Stowford Farm Meadows, Highcliffe House and Brownscombe Luxury Glamping. Attraction and Experience gold awards were awarded to Exewake, the spa at Lincombe Hall, and Pennywell Farm, with Paschoe House taking gold for Wedding Venue and Lynmouth Pavilion Exmoor National Park Centre the gold for Visitor Information. Food and drink golds went to Fishcombe Cove Café, the PIG at Combe, the Three Crowns and The Angel – Taste of Devon. There were cross-sector golds for Leafy Field Glamping for access and inclusivity, Bolberry Farm Cottages for dog friendly, Little Comfort Farm for ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism, the Cottages at Blackadon Farm for new business and Quince Honey Farm for tourism innovation. There was much emotion as five Unsung Heroes were announced: Clive Simmons from the Palace Theatre in Paignton, Hannah Pattle of Pennywell Farm, Naomi Hunt from Powderham Castle and Sereny Damon from Dartmouth Steam Railway. A posthumous Unsung Hero award was also presented to the family and colleagues of Ian Stuart, in recognition of his hard work and partnership working across the sector.

The Horn of Plenty - photo by Kitevision

Chair of the judging panel, Evelyn Stacey, commented: “2020 was a challenging year for us all which made the efforts of the award winners all the more amazing. I have nothing but admiration for the resourceful way in which our tourism businesses – accommodation, hospitality, activities, attractions, services, both established and new – provided high quality service for locals and tourist visitors alike in a safe and responsible manner. Having shown skill and innovation during a national crisis, they have firm foundations on which to build for the future and they fully deserve the accolades.”

Sally Everton, general manager of Visit Devon, added: “The Devon Tourism Awards has showered some positivity on what has been the most challenging year for so many tourism businesses across Devon. With some definite light now at the end of what has been a very gloomy tunnel, it is a huge boost to the tourism industry to have something as prestigious as these awards to celebrate.”

In total, 67 awards were presented across 24 categories.

Photo: Quince Honey Farm DEVON TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Services for Tourism Gold Leafy Field Glamping, Ashill Silver Stover Country Park & Local Nature Reserve, Newton Abbot

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Visit Exmoor Gold Highcliffe House, Lynton Silver Barnabas House B&B, Yelverton Bronze Brightham House Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Salcombe

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR sponsored by Be the Business • Kerry Dawson, National Trust

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Owens Coffee Gold Fishcombe Cove Café, Brixham Silver The Curious Kitchen, Brixham

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Vickery Holman Gold Stowford Farm Meadows, Combe Martin Silver Westland Farm, Barnstaple

CASUAL DINING AWARD sponsored by Worldpay Gold The PIG at Combe, Gittisham Silver Cary Arms & Spa, Babbacombe Bronze On the Waterfront, Exeter

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Forthglade Gold Bolberry Farm Cottages, Salcombe Silver Saunton Beach Villas, Saunton Bronze Shoreline, Paignton The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by South West Water Gold Little Comfort Farm, Braunton Silver The Cottages at Blackadon Farm, Ivybridge Bronze Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Tavistock

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING) sponsored by PKF Francis Clark Gold Exewake Ltd, Exmouth Silver Surfside Kayak Hire & Tours, Combe Martin

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Foxcombe Bakehouse Gold Brownscombe Luxury Glamping, Compton Silver Devon Yurt, Lifton Bronze Blackdown Yurts, Blackborough Leafy Field Glamping, Ashill

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Stephens Scown solicitors Gold Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Axminster Silver Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton Bronze Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Dawlish

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hotel Perfect Gold Lincombe Hall Hotel & Spa, Torquay Silver Crowne Plaza, Plymouth

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Soundview Gold The Cottages at Blackadon Farm, Ivybridge Silver Nethway Farm Holiday Cottages, Kingswear Bronze Brasserie at the Bay, Torquay OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DEVON TOURISM sponsored by Visit Devon Rhys Roberts, Visit Devon

PUB OF THE YEAR sponsored by Bays Brewery Gold Three Crowns, Chagford Silver The Black River, Black Torrington The Waterfront, Plymouth Bronze The Cadeleigh Arms, Tiverton The Royal George, Appledore

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Plymouth Gin Gold The Angel – Taste of Devon, Dartmouth Silver Harry’s Restaurant, Exeter Bronze Gara Rock Hotel, Salcombe

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking Gold Higher Wiscombe, Colyton Silver Nethway Farm Holiday Cottages, Kingswear Bronze Lower Campscott Farm Cottages, Woolacombe

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clockwork Marketing Gold The Horn of Plenty Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Gulworthy Silver Cary Arms & Spa, Babbacombe Bronze Gara Rock Hotel, Salcombe The Old Rectory Hotel, Exmoor

SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Lovegrove Essentials Gold Lincombe Hall Hotel, Torquay Silver Life is Good Nutrition – The Retreat

TOURISM INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Pear Communications Gold Quince Honey Farm, South Molton Silver The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham

UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Quality in Tourism Unsung Heroes • Clive Simmons, Palace Theatre, Paignton • Hannah Pattle, Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh • Ian Stuart - RIP, Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth • Naomi Hunt, Powderham Castle, Powderham • Sereny Damon, Dartmouth Steam Railway, Dartmouth

VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Westward Marketing Gold Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh Silver Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Lynmouth Bronze Quince Honey Farm, South Molton The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Ignyte Gold Lynmouth Pavilion Exmoor National Park Centre Silver Tiverton Tourist Information Service

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Buckleigh Linen Services Gold Paschoe House, Bow Silver Gara Rock Hotel, Salcombe