A total of 76 winners were announced at the 2020/21 South West Tourism Excellence Tourism Awards this week, in an emotional online event.

Accommodation, food and drink, attractions, events and experiences all had their winners, along with those recognised for innovation, new businesses, sustainable tourism and accessibility.

Twenty five winners took the top Gold accolade, including a special Outstanding Contribution award to the members of the Great South West Tourism Partnership, who have dedicated so much of their time over the last year to lobbying for and supporting the industry during the most difficult of times. 

There was also a special award for water efficiency, recognised as being of increasing importance both to business operations and the climate.

WILTSHIRE WINNERS

Large Hotel of the Year

Commended - Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, near Chippenham

Small Hotel of the Year 

Gold - Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Malmesbury

Spa and wellbeing experience of the year

Silver - Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, near Chippenham

Acting and sporting experience award

Silver - Go Skydive, Salisbury 

International Tourism Award

Silver - Marlborough College School of English & Culture

Large Hotel of the Year

Gold -Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, near Chippenham

Large visitor attraction of the year

Bronze - National Trust's Stourhead, Stourton

Restaurant / bistro of the year 

Gold - The Dining Room, Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Malmesbury

Commended - The Brasserie by Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne

Wedding Venue of the year:

Bronze - Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne

Jo Ecroyd, Customer Service Director of headline sponsors South West Water said: “We’re delighted to be headline sponsors of this year’s South West Tourism Awards. As a top FTSE business in the South West, we see it as our responsibility to promote and contribute to the regional economy, in which tourism plays such an important role.

READ MORE: Whatley Manor picks up Small Hotel of the Year Award

"It has certainly been a challenging year for businesses, and we applaud all our winners for their perseverance in the face of the challenges from the pandemic over the past year.”

Robin Barker, Director of Services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the Awards, commented: “I feel honoured to have been involved in the awards over the past year and the last decade. Of all the years, this has been the one that has generated the most challenges as well as the most emotions, and we are so gratified to have played our part in giving our outstanding businesses something to celebrate. They are all so deserving! We can’t wait to get out and visit as many of them as possible.”