The finalists have been announced for this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards.
The annual competition has seen an increase to 25 categories this year, with a new Glamping category and other changes to reflect the ever-increasing diversity of the industry.
They have also seen an increase by 13% to 195 entries from across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, with 75 selected as finalists who will be in suspense until the awards ceremony at the Headland Hotel in Newquay on November 3, when they will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.
Successful businesses in the Cornwall Awards will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February and possibly invited to represent Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 2016/2017 National VisitEngland Awards.
Visit Cornwall chief executive, Malcolm Bell, said: “It’s great to see the breadth and depth of quality in Cornwall – all the best to all of our finalists on awards night.”
The 25 award categories cover everything from surf schools, cafes and hotels to cottages, spas and holiday parks. A Winner of Winners title and special Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award will also be presented on the night.
FINALISTS & HIGHLY COMMENDED (in alphabetic order)
ACCESS & INCLUSIVITY AWARD
Finalists
- Eden Project, St Austell, www.edenproject.com
- Kernock Cottages, Saltash, www.kernockcottages.com
- Mylor Sailing School, Mylor, www.mylorsailingschool.co.uk
- Screech Owl Sanctuary, St Columb, www.screechowlsanctuary.co.uk
ACTIVE & SPORTING EXPERIENCE AWARD
Finalists
- Adventure Segway, Torpoint, www.adventuresegway.com
- Kernow Adventure Park, Falmouth, www.kernowadventurepark.com
- Newquay Activity Centre, Newquay, www.newquayactivitycentre.co.uk
ARTISTIC, CULTURAL & LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Finalists
- Rick Stein’s Cookery School, Padstow, www.rickstein.com/school
- Tour at Healey’s Cyder Farm, Truro, www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Koru Kayaking, St Agnes, www.korukayaking.co.uk
BED & BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Number One B&B St Austell, St Austell, www.numberonebandbstaustell.co.uk
- Roundhouse Barn Holidays, St Just, www.roundhousebarnholidays.co.uk
- Wadebridge Bed and Breakfast, Wadebridge, www.wadebridgebedandbreakfast.net
CAFÉ & TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Boscastle Farm Shop, Boscastle, www.boscastlefarmshop.co.uk
- Juliet’s Garden Restaurant and Bar, Isles of Scilly, www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk
- The Waymarker, Falmouth, www.thewaymarker.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Rest A While Tea Garden, Padstow, www.facebook.com/padstowteagarden
CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Heligan Woods Camping and Caravan Park, St Austell, www.heliganwoods.co.uk
- Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, www.hendra-holidays.com
- Little Winnick Touring Park, St Austell, www.littlewinnick.co.uk
- Trethem Mill Touring Park, Truro, www.trethem.com
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Bed & Basket, St Austell, www.bedandbasket.co.uk
- Karma St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, www.karmastmartins.com
- Kernock Cottages, Saltash, www.kernockcottages.com
GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- East Thorne Yurts and Cottages, Bude, www.east-thornecornwall.co.uk
- Yurts Cornwall, Fowey, www.yurtscornwall.com
HOLIDAY PARK & VILLAGE OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, www.hendra-holidays.com
- Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, Pentewan, www.pentewan.co.uk
- Perran Sands Holiday Park, Perranporth, www.haven.com/perransands
- Trevella Park, Newquay, www.trevella.co.uk
HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Hell Bay Hotel, Isles of Scilly, www.hellbay.co.uk
- Mullion Cove Hotel, Helston, www.mullion-cove.co.uk
- The Headland Hotel & Spa, Newquay, www.headlandhotel.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Tour Guide Penzance, Penzance, www.tourguidepz1.co.uk
- Trebah Garden, Falmouth, www.trebah-garden.co.uk
LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Lanhydrock, National Trust, Bodmin, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
- St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell, www.heligan.com
- Trebah Garden, Falmouth, www.trebah-garden.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Tintagel Castle, Tintagel, www.english-heritage.org.uk/tintagel
RESTAURANT/BISTRO OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Talland Bay Hotel, Looe, www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk
- The Dining Room restaurant, Rock, www.thediningroomrock.co.uk
- The Scarlet Restaurant , Mawgan Porth, www.scarlethotel.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Amelies, Porthleven, www.ameliesporthleven.co.uk
SELF CATERING HOLIDAY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Carbis Bay Hotel Cottages, St ives, www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk
- The Headland Hotel Cottages, Newquay, www.headlandhotel.co.uk
- The Olde House, Wadebridge, www.theoldehouse.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Deerpark, Forest Holidays , Liskeard, www.forestholidays.co.uk
SELF CATERING PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Cosawes Barton, Truro, www.cosawesbarton.co.uk
- Teania, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, www.teania.com
- The Old Barn Tregonetha, St Columb, www.oldbarncornwall.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Kymaurah Cottages, Penzance, www.2lamorna.co.uk
SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Helston Museum, Helston, www.helstonmuseum.co.uk
- Screech Owl Sanctuary, St Columb, www.screechowlsanctuary.co.uk
- The National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk
Highly Commended
- Lappa Valley Steam Railway & Leisure Park, St Newlyn, www.lappavalley.co.uk
- Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, Looe, www.monkeysanctuary.org
SMALL HOTEL / BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- EATDRINKSLEEP/The Old Coastguard, Penzance, www.oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk
- Talland Bay Hotel, Looe, www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk
- Trevose Harbour House, St Ives, www.trevosehouse.co.uk
SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE AWARD
Finalists
- Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth, www.bedruthan.com
- C Bay Spa, St Ives, www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk
- The Headland Hotel & Spa, Newquay, www.headlandhotel.co.uk
- Tresco Spa, Isles of Scilly, www.tresco.co.uk
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Finalists
- Carnwethers Country House Cottages, Isles of Scilly, www.carnwethers.com
- Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, www.hendra-holidays.com
- Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, Looe, www.monkeysanctuary.org
Highly Commended
- Pentillie Castle & Estate, Saltash, www.pentillie.co.uk
- Trebah Garden, Falmouth, www.trebah-garden.co.uk
TOURISM EVENT & FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Looe Music Festival, Looe, www.looemusic.co.uk
- Padstow Christmas Festival, Padstow, www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk
- World Pilot Gig Championships , Isles of Scilly, www.worldgigs.co.uk
TOURISM PUB OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- EATDRINKSLEEP/The Gurnard’s Head, St Ives, www.gurnardshead.co.uk
- The Pandora Inn, Falmouth, www.pandorainn.com
- The Rising Sun, Truro, www.risingsuntruro.co.uk
TOURIST INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Finalists
- Bodmin Information Centre, Bodmin, www.bodminlive.com
- Bude TIC, Bude, www.visitbude.info
- Visit Truro, Truro, www.visittruro.org.uk
Highly Commended
- Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre, Isles of Scilly, www.visitislesofscilly.com
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
- Award will be announced on the night
VENUE & BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
Finalists
- Carbis Bay Hotel, Spa & Estate, St Ives, www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk
- Pentillie Castle & Estate, Saltash, www.pentillie.co.uk
WILDLIFE FRIENDLY TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD
Finalists
- Encounter Cornwall, Golant, www.encountercornwall.com
- Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Padstow, www.motheriveysbay.com
- The Olde House, Wadebridge, www.theoldehouse.co.uk
- Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, Looe, www.monkeysanctuary.org
Highly Commended
- Koru Kayaking, St Agnes, www.korukayaking.co.uk
- Padstow Touring Park, Padstow, www.padstowtouringpark.co.uk
- Paradise Park, Hayle, www.paradisepark.org.uk
- St Eval Candle Company, St Eval, www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk
WINNER OF WINNERS
- Award will be announced on the night
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM
- Award will be announced on the night
