Outdoor adventure centre, Via Ferrata Cornwall, was crowned Winner of Winners at last night’s Cornwall Tourism Awards.
Truro Cathedral was at capacity as 64 awards were presented in the 22nd annual awards, following an awe-inspiring performance from Off The Wall Aerial Dance Circus and a thought-provoking presentation from former hotelier Amanda Winwood, owner of Made for Life Organics.
Awards covered everything from accommodation and attractions to food and drink and activities, with an ever-wider range of visitor experiences amongst the winners. There were also awards for an increasing numbers of businesses in the all-important new tourism business, sustainable tourism and accessible tourism categories.
Two special awards were announced, the first being the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award for the Minack Theatre’s Zoe Curnow, and the second being the final award of the night – the Winner of Winners award for Via Ferrata Cornwall.
Winners in most categories will now be considered for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards to be presented at Exeter University next March and possibly invited to represent Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 2024 national VisitEngland Awards.
Awards organiser, Robin Barker, said: “Just when you think you’ve seen it all this fabulous industry surprises you with yet more innovation and invention, and with businesses that never cease to amaze. Huge congratulations to everyone, on being – and continuing to be – the best.”
Photos credit: Nick Williams
2023/2024 CORNWALL TOURISM AWARDS
WINNERS & COMMENDED (in alphabetic order)
Sponsored by NFU Mutual Central Cornwall, Truro
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Access Cornwall
Gold
- Trevassack Holidays, Helston
Silver
- Bosinver Farm Cottages, St Austell
- Sara’s Cottage, Truro
CAFÉ AND CASUAL DINING AWARD, sponsored by Made for Life Organics
Gold
- Flory Restaurant, Bodmin
Silver
- Boscastle Farm Shop, Boscastle
CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Booking.com
Gold
- Gwinear Camping and Fishing, Newquay
Silver
- Coastal Valley Camp & Crafts, Newquay
Bronze
- Maker Camp, Maker Heights, Millbrook
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Wildanet
Gold
- Kilminorth, Looe
Silver
- Karma St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly
Bronze
- The Valley Cottages, Carnon Downs
- The Woodland Collection, Hayle
ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions
Gold
- Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Carbis Bay
Silver
- Watergate Bay Hotel, Watergate Bay
Bronze
- Kernock Cottages Cornwall, Saltash
EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by AGI
Gold
- Gin & Vodka Masterclass – Colwith Farm Distillery, Lostwithiel
Silver
- Taster Session – The Tide Climbing Centre, Wadebridge
- The Coasteer – Bare Feet Coasteer, Newquay
Bronze
- History Tour – Falmouth Uncovered, Falmouth
GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking
Gold
- Lydcott Glamping , Looe
Silver
- Ekopod, Launceston
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tozers
Gold
- Padstow Holiday Village, Padstow
Silver
- The Park Cornwall, Mawgan Porth
Bronze
- Tregoad Holiday Park, Looe
Commended
- Sun Haven Holiday Park, Mawgan Porth
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Guestline
Gold
- St Michaels Resort, Falmouth
Silver
- The Land’s End Hotel, Penzance
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by NFU Mutual Central Cornwall
Gold
- Lappa Valley, St Newlyn East
Silver
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell
Bronze
- Bodmin Jail Museum, Bodmin
Commended
- Land’s End Landmark, Penzance
- Tintagel Castle (English Heritage), Tintagel
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD, sponsored by Saffron Academy
Gold
- The Barn at Pengelly, Truro
Silver
- The Coconut Chy, Newquay
- Treworgie Barton Cottages, Bude
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CORNISH TOURISM, sponsored by VisitCornwall
- Zoe Curnow
PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Quality in Tourism
Gold
- The Peterville Inn, St Agnes
Silver
- The Rising Sun Inn Altarnun, Launceston
Bronze
- Trengilly Wartha Inn, Falmouth
Commended
- The Wig & Pen, Truro
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Camel Valley
Gold
- Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Carbis Bay
Silver
- Fallowfields at Housel Bay Hotel, Lizard
- Talland Bay Hotel, Looe
Bronze
- Karma St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly
SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Touch Stay
Gold
- My Cottages in St Ives, St Ives
Silver
- Lower Marsh Farm, Saltash
- Sara’s Cottage, Truro
Bronze
- Lambriggan Court, Truro
Commended
- The Valley, Carnon Downs
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by pkf Francis Clark
Gold
- THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, Padstow
Silver
- Talland Bay Hotel, Looe
- The Idle Rocks, St Mawes
Bronze
- Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
- Tregarthen’s Hotel, Isles of Scilly
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tregoad Holiday Park
Gold
- Via Ferrata Cornwall, Penryn
Silver
Bronze
- Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park, St Columb
- The Tide Climbing Centre, Wadebridge
Commended
- Pirate’s Quest Adventure Golf, Newquay
TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by DCW Polymers
Gold
Silver
- Porthleven Food Festival 2023, Porthleven
Bronze
- Festival of Nature 2022, Isles of Scilly
UNSUNG HERO AWARD, sponsored by Cornwall Airport Newquay
- Ben Patrick, Lappa Valley, St Newlyn East
WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by St Austell Printing Company
Gold
- Kilminorth, Looe
Silver
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell
Bronze
- The Barn at Pengelly, Truro
WILDLIFE FRIENDLY TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD, sponsored by Tevi in association with Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Gold
- Tregoad Holiday Park, Looe
Silver
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell
Bronze
- Lydcott Glamping , Looe
Commended
- Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park, St Columb
- St Ives Holiday Village, St Ives
- The Woodland Collection, Hayle
WINNER OF WINNERS, sponsored by Plymouth Business School
- Via Ferrata Cornwall, Penryn
