Three local hospitality businesses in the same small area have won Golds in the Devon Tourism Awards.

Coldharbour Field Kitchen was awarded Gold in the Casual Dining category, Mazzard Farm Holiday Cottages won Gold for Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism, and The Pig at Combe won Gold in the Small Hotel of the Year class.

Andrea Broadhurst of Coldharbour Field Kitchen said: “We were both really overwhelmed to win the Gold award – our heart rates were soaring as we waited for the announcement!

"After all the work that we put into the field kitchen, from the initial conception through planning and getting it built to opening the doors in June almost as the paint was drying, we hit the ground running.

"To think that the judging must have taken place as we were finding our feet, and with a whole host of new staff learning the ropes, it’s just amazing! We’re just so proud and thankful for all the support we’ve had from the local community and visitors to the area.”

Sidmouth Herald:

Ruud Jansen Venneboer from Mazzard Farm said: “This makes our little corner of Devon the most accoladed – is that even a word? – in a few square miles."

Elsewhere in East Devon, Seaton Tramway won two awards - Silver for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, and Bronze in the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism category. Lower Keats Glamping in Axminster was the Gold winner in the Glamping Business of the Year section, and Raceworld in Woodbury Salterton won Gold for Experience of the Year (Active or Learning). 

The awards were presented in Plymouth on Thursday, February 2. After two years of online events it was a welcome return to face-to-face events, with attendees taking the opportunity to catch up with colleagues and supporters. Many were also excited by the prospect of further success in the regional and national awards.

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism said: “It never ceases to amaze me how tourism businesses continue to innovate and excel, even when faced with the most extraordinary hurdles. You are my heroes – each and every one of you!”

Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will now be fast-tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March and possibly into the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.