Hear from some of our South West Tourism Excellence Award winners:

 

Why Enter?

Here's what some of our entrants had to say:

"This award reaffirms our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences and showcasing the vibrant spirit of our region. Together, we'll continue to share our unbounded creativity with pride and passion, inviting visitors to awaken their sense of adventure with us in our home city of Bristol. Thank you for the recognition." Lucy, Wake The Tiger

"We are so delighted to have been awarded Silver, for Large Hotel of the Year in the Bristol, Bath & Somerset tourism awards, having won Bronze in 2019, it's fantastic to see how much we have grown as a business, and what impact we have on the tourism sector within the South West.   A great experience to be part of, that has only motivated us further to chase that gold status." Steve, Village Hotel

"We were absolutely thrilled to receive the Silver Award for ‘Restaurant of the year’ at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2023. We are thrilled to receive this award and to have been recognised for our hard work, resilience and passion for Podshavers Restaurant. We wouldn’t be here without our wonderful team, suppliers, supporters and customers!" Rudi, Podshavers Restaurant

"Since embarking upon the journey to design and build Mountain Lodge I have been completely blown away by the amount of support, advice and encouragement from all those that I have come across. The strength and resilience of my customers is humbling and has made every hurdle, success and milestone even more worthwhile. I was flattered to have being nominated in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset awards, to win was just incredible." Jenny, Mountain Lodge 

"We're extremely proud to of won Bronze award and proves to us that we are doing something right and heading in a positive direction. It also gives us and the team at Burton Springs a real sense of achievement and recognition for all the hard work. For a small business like ours it really has opened doors to new connections and the feedback has focused the business on new ideas and improvements for the future." Jennifer, Burton Springs Holidays

"Porlock Information Centre was delighted to achieve Silver in the Information Centre of the Year category in Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards 2023.  We are a self-funding, volunteer led Centre and this award gives our team a great moral boost and confirmation that they go above and beyond in the services which we offer.  It keeps the beautiful Porlock Vale in the spotlight and gives us a great opportunity for extra promotion and publicity for the Porlock Information Centre.  We especially appreciate the constructive feedback from the judges and always endeavour to seek areas where we can provide an even better experience for our visitors." Deborah, Porlock Information Centre 

“Entering and being part of the Bristol, Bath and Somerset tourism awards really joins up and showcases the region’s incredible tourism and hospitality welcome. We’re proud to be part of that vital industry sector, and it’s always fantastic to be part of celebrating everyone’s success and hard work across the region.” Laura, SS Great Britain Trust

"The Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards is such a brilliant award scheme to be a part of and we feel incredibly proud to be winners for a third year running. Not only do the awards provide you with detailed feedback on how you can improve your business but if you are successful it also gives you the opportunity to go through to the Visit England Awards! We are so proud of all of the staff and volunteers at WWT Slimbridge for their dedication and constant hard work. We love being able to showcase their efforts through this award scheme. Thank you!" Amy, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

‘Wow what a brilliant honour to receive the Gold Award for ‘Wedding Venue of the Year’. This has given myself and the team a fantastic lift at the end of a busy season. It is also a real reward for all the hard work and dedication the whole team have put behind each and every wedding in 2023. It has given us fantastic publicity and highlights what we believe we do the best. Thank you.’  Sandy, Aldwick Estate

“We were absolutely delighted to win the Silver award for 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2023. An award like this really helps to celebrate the work of our incredible team and all of the individual achievements which have led to such a brilliant overall result! Attending the awards ceremony was not only a great opportunity to celebrate but also a chance to hear about all the other amazing things Bristol has to offer.” Laura, Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

"It was just fantastic to receive this industry recognition - a huge shot in the arm for a new business like mine and it proves just how far Galahad Tours has come in a short space of time."  Matthias, Galahad Tours

"FANTASTIC! Utterly surprised and elated to have won Gold at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards for best Self-Catering Establishment. As a new business having opened Croftview in July 2020, this was our first application for such an Award so we were extremely excited to have been nominated let alone win Gold. It has been an amazing accolade for the business and great recognition for all the hard work involved in running our new enterprise with a very small team. A total inspiration to progress and focus the mind on further improvements in order to achieve more top-rated reviews and feedback from our wonderful guests. The Award Evening was an amazing experience and a fun evening together with a great opportunity to meet fellow nominees. Congratulations to all the recipients of Awards."  Charlotte,Croftview

"These are top accolades to receive, I'd like to thank our amazing staff team whose hard work has resulted in these awards. We are all thrilled to be recognised alongside other nationally renowned businesses in the region." Richard, Mendip Activity Centre

"Winning Silver for Experience of the year, and Commended in Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism after spending the last few years barely surviving through the pandemic, just shows we have what it takes to keep improving ourselves and grow our company. Being back at the award ceremony has given us focus and renewed our faith in our own achievements during these difficult times.  For us, just being nominated has shown us why hard work and persistence was worth all the effort into making the company stand out from the rest.  The feedback we received will certainly help us improve the overall team and company as we have already made many new connections around us, and we will be taking Gold in the next awards.  Thank you to the tourism team for all their hard work into making these awards challenging and with amazing feedback to help various businesses improve and form various links in tourism. It's better to work together to achieve the same overall goals"  Simon and Tristan, UK Active Outdoors

"The entire GuestHouse family are so proud of the team at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath for scooping up 3 prizes at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. Winning bronze in Hotel of the Year category is such a great achievement after winning Gold last year and making it all the way to the Visit England awards where we won silver. Our overnight and spa package ‘You Time’ won silver second year in a row for Spa Experience of the Year, with our new to 2022 ‘Festival Rehab’ package receiving a special commendation award. Finally, The Restaurant winning Gold, what an achievement for Phil Carroll our incredible Head Chef and his wonderful and talented team. Our hardworking kitchen and restaurant team really deserve this award for their constant dedication to providing consistently great food and service, really championing the best local produce and allowing the teams individual talents and flair to flourish." No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath

"I feel very privileged to have even been considered for a shortlist, let alone to go on to win two golds and a bronze!! Absolutely stunned and over the moon and so proud of the team for their brilliant work."  Kate Gardiner, The Purplespoon Cafe

 “I’m shocked but very happy to have won the Silver Unsung Hero award. My aim during the pandemic was to continue to engage our community and provide educational and interactive experiences, during a time when other activities were being cancelled. Creating positive memories during an unsettling time was very important.” Paula, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

“It is fantastic that Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has been recognised with the Gold Large Visitor attraction award and Winner of Winners award. We are incredibly proud of our team and the continual improvement we are making to the Zoo. We are always taking on board feedback to make improvements each year and the feedback from the judges has always been constructive and insightful. Over the last 22 years we have grown from a small petting farm to one of the largest zoos in the South West and are proud to not only give a great visitor experience but to be recognised as being accessible and inclusive too.” Rhian, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

"Entering the awards really focuses my mind. For me personally, I'm often so busy " doing" that I don't always make the time to step back and really look at what we've achieved as well as how we can make things better. The awards process really makes things happen and the business always feels  fresher when we've been part of this - thank you!"  Maddy, Mad Max Tours

"What an an accolade and endorsement of the great way that we make dogs welcome here.  Thanks to all those that made these awards happen and possible”. Winning Woofs from The Old Vicarage Hotel, Bridgwater by Candida Leaver The Old Vicarage Hotel and Restaurant

“It is wonderful that Wild Place Project and the many dedicated staff and volunteers who work there, have been recognised with this award. We are immensely proud of Wild Place Project, which has grown to become a hugely successful visitor attraction over the past eight years. Obviously the past year has been incredibly difficult for us, like many other organisations across the region. But these awards have demonstrated the passion and resilience of the sector and the importance of celebrating all that we have achieved.  Along with our colleagues at many other attractions, we have found new ways to adapt and operate, to ensure that we can still offer a brilliant day out when our doors are open to the public. We would like to thank everyone who has shown us such great support during these challenging times.” Dr Justin Morris, CEO of Bristol Zoological Society, which operates Wild Place Project and Bristol Zoo Gardens.

"We were delighted to win these awards as they give recognition for all of the work by our team here at Blackmore Farm to give our customers a truly memorable experience. We were especially pleased to receive the Innovation Award as we have put a lot of effort into helping our customers feel safe whilst enjoying the facilities which we have to offer here at Blackmore Farm."  Ann and Ian Dyer Blackmore Farm.

“Winning the Silver New Business Tourism Award and the Bronze Self Catering Accommodation of the Year Award in the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2020/21 means an enormous amount to me and Jeff. It’s hard to put into words how delighted we are that our small home business at Stockham Farm on Exmoor has been chosen from amongst such a talented lineup of wonderful tourism businesses across the region.  The publicity that these accolades have brought means that we can now reach a huge audience of potential new holiday guests from across the country and affirm with pride that we’re 'an award-winning Exmoor business’. It has been an incredibly difficult year for all in the tourism and hospitality industry and to be able to kickstart life post-pandemic with these awards gives us an enormous psychological and marketing boost - our champagne flutes are overflowing!  Our thanks to all the sponsors and organisers of the Awards for making it happen!” Ali Pegrum Stockham Farm Exmoor.

“We throughly enjoyed the Zoom party award thank you and it was super to achieve Silver in our Category, we can't thank you guys enough, the organisers, the sponsors and all involved in make it a very special day for us and especially my dad, he's 89 next month and has had a rough year in and out of hospital so for him to go to a virtual awards party was just great and he loved it!!”  Debbie House Brook Lodge Farm Camping, Glamping & Touring Caravan Park.

“We were absolutely delighted to be Gold Winners again in the B&B/Guesthouse of the Year category.  We would encourage all B&B's to enter.  The process is straightforward and the feedback (during more normal times) is priceless.  We spent the year really focusing on getting information out there, via our social media, on all that Somerset has to offer and we have had great engagement with our followers.  We can't wait to start welcoming guests back again.  Congratulations to everyone who won!”  Alyson, Simon & Jasper Tuxworth The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have received these awards which highlight the dedication of our talented and hard-working team. It’s a huge honour to be recognised for our progress as a green tourist attraction and an inclusive and accessible zoo.” Larry Bush Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

“The awards afternoon was really lovely – you are so fantastic at presenting. It was really relaxed and fun – I can only imagine how hard it must have been to organise.  We are thrilled to achieve gold and it will certainly help to raise our profile. As a team we have been incredibly busy during lockdown working on the new website. Its fantastic timing as I think we are going to be in for a very busy summer. Thanks again for all your dedication and support.” Bev Stapp, South Somerset District Council, South Somerset Visitor Information Centre - SSDC

“In the most gruelling year for tourism I’ve known, all the hard work we’ve put in to Savouring Bath in 2020 to keep our business alive has been worth it!  Winning double Gold at this years BBS Tourism Awards has humbled me, overwhelmed me, and made me beyond happy… this will undoubtedly be a major pinnacle in my 30 years in this wonderful industry.” Mike James Savouring Bath.

"2020 was a challenging time for everyone in the events industry and we are proud of the adaptations our producers and production partners made at short notice. We send our thanks to the officers and council members at North Somerset Council who worked alongside us to make the event happen, our production partners and sponsors whose support enables our work and the visitors who came along, followed the guidance and had a safe, happy visit.  We want to thank our sponsor, but we don't have one for this event - if you are looking to raise your profile with thousands of Portishead residents and boat owners please do get in touch." Bev Milner Simonds, Head of Spreadsheets at eat:Festivals 

 

2019/20

"Just going through the awards application process has been an amazing experience.  It’s helped me analyse my small business in ways which I’m not sure I otherwise would have and it’s all lead to so many positive changes and improvements that it feels like we’ve achieved loads before we even click the ‘Submit Entry’ button!" Mike, Savouring Bath, www.savouringbath.com

This year felt extra special as I shared the moment with the guides who are  at the very heart of our tours and make each experience so memorable. I am constantly grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment (and we are all still smiling). Maddy, Mad Max Tours, www.madmaxtours.co.uk.

No matter how many times we win at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Awards after the excitement dies down, we are left with the feeling of how lucky and privileged we are to be in such great Somerset company. With every awards process we complete comes knowledge, which we can take forward to improve our guests experience.  Brett and Susan, Salad Days, www.dunsterbeachhut.com.

Being finalists since 2017 in the Bristol Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards has resulted in increased booking year on year.  It's great being part of a wider community who support and develops tourism in the South West. Pam & Sue, www.stonebridgefarmcaravanpark.co.uk.

We were thrilled with the gold award for Bath Christmas Market, especially as it is just days before we open for business.  This means so much to the team behind it and is a testament for their year round hard work to make a very special 18 days. Kathryn Davis, VisitBath, www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

It still hasn’t sunk in, we felt extremely lucky just to be at the awards, so we couldn’t believe it when we won Gold! I think that was pretty obvious with the amount of tears that came with it. We are so proud that our hard work, dedication and love that has been poured into The Blitz has been recognised by such a prestigious Awards body and we couldn’t be any happier. Thank you for giving us this fantastic opportunity and we urge everyone to come and give us a visit! Tamsin, www.theblitz.uk.

Everyone at Brooks is thrilled to receive a silver award and a Bronze award for Brooks Guesthouse Bath and Bristol in the B&B category. We know there is a lot of competition and therefore its great recognition for the team & their hard work all year.  Carla, www.brooksguesthouse.com.

The loveliest thing so far about winning the Award have been all of the kind comments from guests, friends, family, villagers, advisors etc, etc who have been part of our 'journey' - we couldn't have done it without them! The experience has been very positive for us and I would certainly recommend entering the Awards - the support from yourself and BBS Tourism Awards throughout the process has been tremendous and we have learnt a lot about ourselves, our business and the industry in the process. As well as meeting some lovely people along the way! Fiona, www.stocklinchshepherdshut.co.uk.

Receiving the silver award for Tourism Innovation was an incredible surprise and privilege. Visit Weston-super-Mare is honoured to have its efforts recognised in this way, and the award has already inspired us with new ways to improve the innovation, diversity and inclusivity of our business. Environmental responsibility and equality were the main themes of our innovative work in 2019, and we’re thrilled that this has been commended by such a prestigious body. Thank you all. Emma, Visit Weston-super-Mare, www.wsm-tc.gov.uk.

It was incredible to be in the room with so many fantastic businesses as an equal, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. Karen, www.esmes-escape.co.uk.

The application process is thorough, it takes time to fill in and reflect on the successes the business has achieved over time. It made me smile to realise how much I had achieved and didn’t tell anybody about it. After speaking to a winner from last year who inspired me to enter the awards, I felt I had to shout about Sweet Cumin and tell people I am here in Somerset. the application also highlighted areas where I can make changes and was great advise to be given at the start of the process.  With the mystery shopper visit who had come along and experienced a cookery session, made it all very real. The fact that Sweet Cumin won GOLD in the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism awards for Learning Experience of the Year has allowed the cookery school to sit alongside amazing tourist attractions in the region. Having now reached the finals for the South West Tourism awards for Leaning Experience of the Year, it has made Sweet Cumin stand out from the crowd. It has been recognised for its excellence, both as a service and as an experience to book and enjoy whilst visiting the South West. It something different which visitors to the region are now searching for. Bini, www.sweetcumin.co.uk.