2009 Essex Tourism Awards

The winners of the first ever Essex Tourism Awards were revealed last night at Southend Cliffs Pavilion.

The awards, sponsored by Essex County Council and organised by Archant, were designed to highlight the very best of Essex tourism and raise the profile of the industry across the county. We congratulate all the winners, as well as all the finalists. Everyone involved will agree that the ceremony was a great success, and a fantastic opportunity to showcase the attractions and opportunities that Essex has to offer and we are looking forward to doing it all over again next year!

The winners in the 11 categories were as follows:

Best Small Essex Attraction
Winner - Layer Marney Tower
Highly Commended - The Beth Chatto Gardens
Finalist - Royal Gunpowder Mills

Best Large Essex Attraction
Winner - Colchester Zoo
Finalist - Adventure Island
Finalist - Audley End House and Gardens

Best Large Hotel
Winner - County Hotel, Chelmsford
Highly Commended - Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Finalist - Park Inn, Harlow

Best Small Hotel
Winner - Great Hallingbury Manor
Highly Commended - Maison Talbooth

Best B&B or Guesthouse
Winner - Park Hall Country House
Highly Commended - Pier View, Southend
Finalist - The Victory, West Mersea

Best Self Catering
Winner - Pevors Farm
Highly Commended - The Coach House

Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Winner - Saffron Walden
Highly Commended - Visit Colchester
Finalist - Southend

The Sustainable Tourism Award
Winner - Colchester Zoo
Highly Commended - County Hotel, Chelmsford
Highly Commended - Old MacDonald's Farm Park
Highly Commended - Great Hallingbury Manor

Event/ Festival of the Year
Winner - Guardians to the King
Highly Commended - Barleylands Country Show
Finalist - Saffron Walden Arts

Best Tourism Experience (in association with Business Link)
Winner - Tropical Wings
Highly Commended - Southend Marine Activities Centre
Finalist - Waltham Abbey Town Partnership
Finalist - Rayleigh Mill and Museum

Outstanding Customer Service (in association with Essex Chambers of Commerce)
Winner - Suzanne Evans, Boons Calibre Travel
Highly Commended - Len Stuart, Royal Gunpowder Mills
Highly Commend - Cheryl, Atlantic Hotel
Finalist - Front of House, Brentwood Theatre

The winners in each category will now be shortlisted for the regional East of England Tourism Awards, which take place on 29th October.