The best in English tourism was honoured today at an awards ceremony in London where notable winners included the Eden Project, the Beechwood hotel - and Harry Potter.
Culture minister Kim Howells paid tribute to the fictional wizard for boosting the nation's image abroad. He said: "Thousands of people have been inspired by the British actors and venues chosen in the Harry Potter films and the magical descriptions on each page of every book. On behalf of the entire travel industry we wanted to recognise and honour that influence."
The award to Harry Potter was one of 11 Gold awards for the best of English tourism, announced by broadcaster Sue Lawley. She said: "These awards play a vital role in rewarding the best of English tourism and encouraging others to look to these winning businesses to emulate their success. Many people do not realize how much English tourism has improved in recent years, and these winners prove just how good it is."
The best tourist website award went to Beechenhill Farm.
The winners in full: (with the judges' remarks)
B&B of the year: the Old Bakery in Moreton-in-the Marsh in Gloucester "where guests can enjoy fantastic meals created by owner Linda Helme". (Tel: 01386 700 408)
Caravan holiday park: Oakdown Touring and Holiday Home park at Weston, Sidmouth, in Devon "where visitors can pitch tents and caravans in groves which encourage wildlife". (Tel: 01297 680 387, www.bestcaravanpark.co.uk)
Large hotel: Claridge's of London - "a grand hotel without a grand attitude". (Tel: 020 7409 6444, www.savoygroup.co.uk)
Small hotel: Beechwood Hotel, of North Walsham in Norfolk - a remarkable ten-bedroom hotel which reflects the passion of its owners to give guests the very best. (Tel: 01692 403 231, www.beechwood-hotel.co.uk)
Marketing in tourism:The Deep, in Hull, which "has used joint partnerships and PR activity as part of its marketing campaign to attract more than 700,000 visitors to date". (Tel: 01482 381 000 www.thedeep.co.uk)
The People award for outstanding customer service: Maureen Rowlatt from Tor Cottage in Devon, who "goes beyond the call of duty to ensure guests' needs are met and exceeded". (Tel: 01822 860 248)
Self-Catering holiday: Park Hall Country Cottages in Essex, which "offered the facilities of a 5 Star hotel in the form of a rural self-catering cottage". (Tel: 01255 820 922, http://www.parkhall-countrycottages.com
Tourism website: www.beechenhill.co.uk, "a fun and informative site showing holiday accommodation on an organic dairy farm in the Peak District National Park". (Tel: 01335 310 274, www.beechenhill.co.uk
Tourist Information Centre: Leicester Tourist Information Centre (TIC), "which has broken new ground amongst TICs by becoming the first ABTA-bonded TIC in the country". Tel: 0116 225 4000, www.discoverleicester.com
Visitor attraction (over 100,000 visitors): The Eden Project in Cornwall, "a unique experience with the all-important 'wow' factor". (Tel: 01872 276 276 Web: www.edenproject.com
Visitor attraction (under 100,000 visitors): Muncaster Castle, Cumbria, "an historic house which includes other attractions such as an outstanding Himalayan garden and the World Owl Centre". (Tel: 01229 717 614 Web: www.muncaster.co.uk
