News from Exmoor National Park Authority

The first ever Exmoor Excellence Awards were presented at the annual Visit Exmoor Tourism meeting in Porlock recently.

The Bed and Breakfast of the Year was a strongly contested category and the judges were unable to choose between the top two and awarded joint winner status to St Vincent’s House Hotel in Lynton and Exmoor House in Porlock. They provide a warm welcome in stylish, yet comfortable, surroundings and use local produce on menus. They promote the local area and encourage their guests to leave the car behind and explore on foot or by bicycle.

The two other finalists were Threadneedle in East Anstey and Spears Cross in Dunster which both showed a commitment to excellence and quality and a good use of local produce.

The winner of the Exmoor Excellence Self-catering Holiday of the Year 2006, Primrose Hill Holidays in Blue Anchor Bay, showed a dedication to developing and caring for their niche market: disabled dog owners and their families. Not only have they provided an environment that is comfortable and practical for disabled visitors but they have also worked with other businesses in their immediate area to ensure that their visitors will enjoy an equally good experience when they leave their site.

The Hotel of the Year Award 2006 went to a couple who have worked hard in the 2 years since they moved in, to provide excellent dining using local produce, they have invested in their kitchen and produced a mouth-watering menu for residents and non-residents alike. They also provide meeting rooms for local groups and training organisations and a lively programme of music events. They are Cathy and Bob Doel of The George Hotel in South Molton.

The Attraction of the Year Award went to Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm near Porlock, which provides a close up view of some of the wildlife of the area in spectacular natural surroundings.

The Best Tourism Experience Award highlights tourism services which display and promote excellence. The winner in this category, Paws and Boots (guided walks for doggies and their owners) provides an excellent visitor experience, bringing new visitors to the area and promoting other small businesses that operate with a similar ethos to their own. They also show a great enthusiasm for the area and pass this on to their visitors.

The winners have shown: Exceptional customer care; an on-going investment in training as well as in the fabric of the business; extensive use and promotion of local produce; support for the area through caring for the environment and informing their guests of the special qualities of the area: Encouraging them to behave in a sustainable way, patronising local pubs, restaurants and attractions and encouraging walking, cycling and riding as opposed to always taking the car

and a commitment to making all visitors welcome, and an appreciation that caring for disabled visitors means more than having access for wheelchairs and can be achieved even in a difficult building.

Entrants in the three accommodation categories demonstrated a commitment to quality and cleanliness through their grading already awarded by AA, VisitBritain or the RAC. For this new award entrants had to demonstrate a commitment to the ethos of Visit Exmoor and in particular its partner organisation Exmoor National Park Authority.

More details of all the winning businesses can be found on the Exmoor National Park Authority website www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/quest and on www.Visit-Exmoor.info

Press enquiries to Julie Lovett, Exmoor National Park Authority 01398 322177 or email jlovett@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk