Congratulations to the South East winners at the VisitEngland Awards 2020

Six South East tourism businesses, all finalists of the regional Beautiful South Awards, were awarded trophies at the prestigious VisitEngland Tourism Excellence Awards. The national winners were announced via a special virtual ceremony hosted by Julia Bradbury.

Lorry Middleton, from Hovertravel, Isle of Wight, topped the ceremony having already been crowned Tourism Superstar of the Year, sponsored at regional level by ‘Welcome to Excellence’ and voted by the readers of The Mirror.

Competing with the very best businesses and tourism experiences in the country, all nominated South East businesses achieved an award, a great result for the South East region. Gold was awarded to The Baskerville, Henley-on-Thames for Pub of the Year.

Silvers were awarded to Swallowtail Hill, East Sussex for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year and Wallops Wood Cottages, Hampshire for Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year. Blenheim Palace achieved bronze under the international Tourism Award. Southampton Harbour Hotel, Hampshire, also scoped bronze under the Large Hotel of the Year category.

Fran Downton, Chief Executive of Tourism South East, commented, ‘The South East has once again proven that we have some exceptional tourism experiences that are a match for any in the country. I am incredibly proud of all the amazing South East tourism businesses and the accolades from this year’s ceremony. I hope this success will inspire others across the region to showcase their quality to the industry. 

TOURISM SUPERSTAR

Winner - Lorry Middleton – Hovertravel, Ryde, Isle of Wight

CAMPING, GLAMPING AND HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR

Silver - Swallowtail Hill, Beckley, East Sussex www.swallowtailhill.com @swallowtailhill

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD

Bronze - Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire www.blenheimpalace.com @BlenheimPalace

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Bronze - Southampton Harbour Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton @Southampton_HH

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD

Gold - Vine + Country Tours, East Sussex

PUB OF THE YEAR

Gold - The Baskerville, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire www.thebaskerville.com @thebaskie

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

Silver - Wallops Wood Cottages, Droxford, Hampshire www.wallopswoodcottages.co.uk @Wallops_Wood