Tourism businesses from Devon, Cornwall and Exmoor brought home eight national awards, including three Golds, at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, at Aerospace Bristol on 3rd June.
The prestigious awards recognise the very best tourism businesses in England and this year brought together winners from twenty-one regional competitions, with 369 businesses put forward for national recognition.
The South West winners were:
- Gold Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa, Devon.
- Gold Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – Bosinver Farm Cottages, Cornwall.
- Gold Large Hotel of the Year – Bovey Castle, Devon.
- Silver B&B and Guest House of the Year – One Drake Road and Apartments, Devon.
- Silver Large Hotel of the Year – Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall.
- Silver New Tourism Business of the Year – The Story of Emily, Cornwall.
- Bronze International Tourism Award – Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Devon.
- Bronze New Tourism Business of the Year – Flora and Fauna, Exmoor.
VisitEngland Director, Andrew Stokes, said, “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world leading. I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”
Robin Barker, Director of Services for Tourism, said, “To reach the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence is a huge achievement. Businesses first must impress independent judges in their regional Tourism Awards before going forward to compete against the very best from across England. We are incredibly proud of all eight winners. They represent the quality, innovation and passion that make the South West one of England’s leading visitor destinations.”
The success follows another strong year for the South West Tourism Awards programme, which have just closed for 2026, with 591 entries submitted across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Bristol, Bath, Somerset & Gloucestershire – an increase of almost 14% on the previous year.
