Click here to view video highlights from the awards ceremony
| Winners 2007 |
Categories 1-7
(Click here
for categories 8-14)
Category 1:
The Berry Savory Best Norfolk Attraction Award
Sponsored by Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association
Winner: Banham Zoo
Runners-up: Go Ape! Thetford Forest; North Norfolk Railway
 |
Kirsty Burn, director of NTAA, presents Martin Goymour, managing director of Banham Zoo, with his award. |
Martin Goymour, managing director
of Banham Zoo, said: “Winning this award means recognition for the
high standards that are achieved and maintained at Banham Zoo together with
the constant investment to the long term growth of the zoo and for the benefit
of the animals in our care.”
Judges' Comments: Banham Zoo is a consistently high achiever
in terms of the attraction and in terms of plans for the future to improve
the attraction and encourage more visitors. Facilities are superb, with
a large eating area incorporating undercover picnic area, interesting feeding
and display talks and other education opportunities.
The new giraffe house is an exciting addition and the plans for improvements
to the snow leopards are extremely futuristic. Great strides have been made
in terms of customer care training with all staff attending Welcome Host.
An interesting marketing strategy links the three parks that they now own
together with an investment plan for each to ensure they remain at the top
of their game.
Category 2:
Best Bed & Breakfast and Guesthouse Award
Sponsored by Larking Gowen
Winner: Incleborough House Bed & Breakfast,
East Runton
Runners-up: Dairy Barns, Hickling; Machrimore, Wells-next-the-Sea
 |
Nicholas Davies (left), proprieter of Incleborough Bed and Breakfast, is presented with his award by Chris Scargill, partner and tourism and hospitality specialist Larking Gowen. |
Nicholas Davies, proprietor, said: “Winning
this award means that the determination, blood, sweat and tears shed by
all our family over the last two years has been recognised, and our faith
and investment in the little Norfolk fishing village of East Runton confirmed.
We have tried our utmost to recreate a bygone era of sheer luxury for all
to taste and savour and are delighted to have our achievement acknowledged.”
Judges' Comments: Significant investment and attention
to detail has turned this Georgian manor house into a top quality B&B.
Guests enjoy two beautifully-appointed rooms offering natural-effect gas
fires, complementary wine and chocolates with slippers and dressing gowns
too.
LCD televisions, DVD/hi-fi systems and fridges combine with luxurious bathrooms
(one of which has been discreetly modified for disabled use) to complement
the warm welcome.
Category 3:
Best Hotel Award
Sponsored by Bennetts Trade Sales Direct
Winner: De Vere Dunston Hall, Norwich
Runners-up: Elderton Lodge Hotel, Thorpe Market; Fritton
House, Fritton
 |
Denis McEvoy (left), of the De Vere Dunston Hall Hotel, receives his award from Ben Jackson, trade division marketing manager for Bennetts. |
Denis McEvoy, general manager, said: “It
is with pride that the 350 people who work at Dunston Hall and tell everyone
who will listen, that our hotel is the best, can now say: ‘It’s
official, we are!’
Staff and regular customers will be absolutely delighted and very, very
proud. It is fantastic to have all the team’s hard work and time aptly
rewarded.”
Judges' Comments: The Grade II listed buildings of the
four-star De Vere Dunston Hall are set in extensive wooded parkland and,
over the past two years, this very polished hotel has benefited from a £5
million investment in refurbishment and new deluxe bedrooms.
Now the largest hotel in Norfolk with 166 rooms, it offers an impressive
range of facilities yet prides itself on a personal and friendly service.
Category 4:
Best Caravan or Holiday Park Award
Sponsored by Freedom Holidays
Winner: Ivy Farm Holiday Park, Overstrand
Runners-up: Clippesby Hall, Clippesby; Kelling Heath Holiday
Park, Weybourne
 |
Richard Searle, MBE (left), representing Freedom Holidays, presents the award to William Reynolds, of Ivy Farm Holiday Park. |
William Reynolds, managing director, said:
“Winning this award means a huge amount to our family and staff. It
means that years of hard work and dedication to the tourism industry have
been recognised – and, in view of the other two beautiful parks in
our category, it is a huge honour to win such a prestigious award.”
Judges' Comments: A very homely feel, with the park nestling
in the village setting of Overstrand and complemented with sea views and
cliff walks.
Owned and very much operated by the Reynolds family, Ivy Farm has an atmosphere
of individuality and unique attention to customer care.
From the excellent barn conversions into intimate “cottages”
and fish supper evenings, to microlite flights and occasional outdoor concerts
(both for charity), the family has skilfully combined these features with
an involvement in the local community, which guests clearly understand and
commit to.
This park offers, and succeeds in delivering, a very different holiday experience.
Category 5:
Best Self-Catering Establishment Award
Sponsored by Norfolk Country Cottages
Winner: Braeburn Barn, Mautby
Runners-up: Barsham Barns, North Barsham; Plum Tree Cottage, Ashmanhaugh
 |
Lucy Downing (right), brand manager of Norfolk Country Cottages, presented the award to Jill Nicholls. |
Jill Nicholls, owner, said: “Winning
this award means Lower Wood Farm with Braeburn Barn has enjoyed two years
as the award winning self catering entry.
This has enhanced our marketing and set us further goals to further ensure
the comfort of our visitors and provide the extras
that set us apart. Sincere thanks to our cleaning team who, week after week,
maintain the high standard which our guests appreciate.”
Judges' Comments: A beautifully-presented cottage, stylishly-furnished
and beautifully-maintained.
Viewed while in occupation, it looked wonderfully inviting. Despite being
a previous winner, the owner hasn’t rested on her laurels and has,
over the past 12 months, introduced three more areas of service, thus raising
the bar even higher. She is passionate about her property and is without
doubt a human dynamo!
Category 6:
Best Visitor Information Centre Award
Sponsored by Chapelfield
Winner: King’s Lynn Tourist Information
Centre
Runners-up: Deepdale Information, Burnham Deepdale; Norwich Tourist Information
Centre
 |
Sophie Hallett (right), marketing manager at Chapelfield, presents Karen Cooke, of King’s Lynn TIC, with her award. |
Karen Cooke, assistant tourist information
officer said: “Winning this award is the culmination of a wonderful
year of celebration in King’s Lynn. Our Captain Vancouver exhibition
was enthusiastically appreciated by visitors and residents. We are proud
to bring this award back to King’s Lynn once again.”
Judges' Comments: This is an exceptional and well-resourced
facility. The ground-floor carousels and displays are well laid out and
expertly stocked and merchandised. There is a real wealth and variety of
information here.
The staff are professional and considered with a real passion for their
position. The team here are those rare creatures who know when and how to
“come out from behind the counter”! In doing so, they deliver
an exceptional standard of customer service.
The centre benefits greatly from the building in which it is located, and
indeed its own history. Staff members have undertaken a great deal of research
to produce an exhibition, resource and display materials of a very high
quality. This adds yet further to the enjoyment and information gained from
visiting this centre, which is a real delight.
Category 7:
The Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Kelling Heath Holiday Park
Winner: Strattons Hotel, Swaffham
Runners-up: Norfolk Wildlife Trust; Pensthorpe Conservation
Trust
 |
Mark Durrant, park manager at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, presents the award to Vanessa Scott, of Strattons Hotel. |
“We ask a great deal of our staff in literally measuring
all our waste streams and monitoring our natural resource usage. Winning
this award is a great pat on the back for their huge commitment in reducing,
reusing, recycling and rethinking at Strattons Hotel.”
Judges' Comments: Strattons has been a leading light in
good environmental practice for many years.
The hotel has environmental principles at the very heart of its business
and this is shown by their passion and enthusiasm for continual environmental
improvement.
Their hard work and commitment have resulted in reducing their waste to
landfill to only two per cent – which is incredible.
The majority of principles can be adopted by any business without the need
for significant financial investment. The support and training of their
staff is core to their success.
All pictures copyright Photo Graphics.
To order contact Andy Plane, 01603 431994 or email mario@3dimens.freeserve.co.uk