THE Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Award winners have been announced for 2020/21, in a virtual ceremony on Thursday night.

Esme's Escape (Crewkerne) and Long Hazel Park (Sparkford) flew the flag for South Somerset, as did South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, while The Castle at Taunton and Taunton's Great Western Hotel were also recognised.

Mendip attractions The Cross at Croscombe (Wells), Glastonbury Abbey, The Middlewick (Glastonbury), The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast (Shepton Mallet), Pennard Hill Farm (Shepton Mallet), and Wild Wookey Adventure Caving Experience and Wild Wookey Hub (Wells) were all winners on the night.

There was award recognition for Nick White, of the Somerset-wide Wassail Theatre Company, as well as the 'eat' festivals which are due to run events in the likes of Taunton, Wellington and Yeovil later this year.

The awards were presented by Giles Adams and Somerset-based awards organiser Nell Barrington, who said: “I was humbled to hear the stories from these amazing businesses overcoming adversity and to see their excitement about welcoming back visitors.

"It has given me a bucket list of places to visit this year, and I look forward to the time when I can celebrate with them all in person.

"They have all worked so hard and rightly deserve this recognition."

Katy Menday, from South Somerset District Council, added: “Visit South Somerset are delighted to be have been so closely involved with this year’s Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.

"Seeing the amazing efforts and quality across all sectors of the industry gives us inspiration, and also great hope for this coming season.”

Full list of winners

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall (Gold); Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare (Silver)

Active or Learning Experience of the Year: Savouring Bath (Gold); West of England Falconry, Bath (Silver); Wild Wookey Adventure Caving Experience, Wells (Bronze); Red Stag Safari, Cutcombe (Commended)

B&B and Guest House of the Year: The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Shepton Mallet (Gold); Blackmore Farm, Cannington (Silver); Old Church Farm, Rudgeway (Bronze); The Cross at Croscombe, Wells (Bronze)

Café & Tearoom of the Year: The Almshouse Tea Shop, Axbridge (Gold); Dr Fox’s Tearoom, Weston-super-Mare (Silver)

Camping & Holiday Park of the Year: Long Hazel Park, Sparkford (Gold); Brook Lodge Farm Camping, Glamping & Touring Caravan Park, Redhill (Silver)

Dining Experience of the Year: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Chippenham (Gold); The Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath (Silver); THE PIG-near Bath (Bronze); The Restaurant at Cross Lane House, Allerford (Bronze); The Babbling Brook Inn, Shurton (Commended)

Dog Friendly Business of the Year: The Old Vicarage Hotel and Restaurant, Bridgwater (Gold); Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Chippenham (Silver)

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall (Gold); Esme's Escape, Crewkerne (Silver); Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare (Bronze)

Glamping Business of the Year: Esme's Escape, Crewkerne (Gold); Tractors and Cream, Othery (Silver)

Large Hotel of the Year: The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath (Gold); Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Chippenham (Silver); The Castle at Taunton (Bronze)

New Tourism Business Award: Cross Lane House, Allerford (Gold); Stockham Farm Exmoor, Dulverton (Silver); The Old Vicarage Hotel and Restaurant, Bridgwater (Bronze)

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism: John Turner - VisitSomerset

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year: The Apartment, Bath (Gold); The Middlewick, Glastonbury (Silver); Stockham Farm Exmoor, Dulverton (Bronze); Frederick Place - Your Apartment, Clifton (Commended); Pennard Hill Farm, Shepton Mallet (Commended)

Small Hotel of the Year: The Queensberry Hotel & Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath (Gold); Cross Lane House, Allerford (Silver); Backwell House, Backwell (Bronze); The Luttrell Arms Hotel, Dunster (Commended); Berkeley Suites, Bristol (Commended); The Great Western Hotel, Taunton (Commended)

Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Chippenham (Gold); The Middlewick, Glastonbury (Silver)

Tourism Event/Festival of the Year: eat:Portishead (Gold); Glastonbury Abbey - Night at the Abbey (Silver); Festival in the Clouds, Clevedon (Bronze)

Tourism Innovation Award: Savouring Bath (Gold); Blackmore Farm, Cannington (Silver); The Middlewick, Glastonbury (Bronze)

Unsung Hero Award: Carol Byrne - The Castle at Taunton; Tor Webster - Tor's Tours, Glastonbury; Nick White - Wassail Theatre Company; Andy Childs and Annette Healey - Wookey Hub, Wells; Antony Brunt - Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster

Visitor Attraction of the Year: Wild Place Project, Bristol (Gold); Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall (Silver); Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol (Silver); American Museum & Gardens, Bath (Bronze)

Visitor Information Service of the Year: South Somerset Visitor Information Centre - SSDC