WELLS holiday homeowners have been crowned winners in Sykes Holiday Cottages’ nationwide search to find UK and Ireland’s best holiday lets.
Jenny and Peter Kingston, both in their sixties, own Lilac Cottage located a mile from Wells, which was awarded the top prize in the Best Renovation category for its incredible transformation.
Originally four ancient stone walls covered in vegetation, Lilac Cottage was brought into the 21st century by Jenny and Peter over a two-year period, which saw it transform from a derelict site to the holiday let it is today.
Jenny worked closely with a team of architects and builders to bring their vision for the cottage to life, eventually creating a luxurious holiday let with an open plan living space, cosy furnishings, and a woodburning stove.
The property offers several amenities for guests to enjoy after a day of exploring the local area, such as a luxury bathtub in the master bedroom or a patio for al fresco dining.
The awards saw holiday homeowners from across the UK and Ireland competing to be crowned the winner of several categories, including Best View, Best Interior, Most Quirky, Best Renovation, and Best Glamping.
The expert judging panel included Sykes’ CEO Graham Donoghue, alongside The Times’ Deputy Property Editor Carol Lewis, and Vanessa Warwick who founded the property investor forum Property Tribes.
Properties were judged on a number of factors, including customer reviews, location, and facilities on offer.
Judges were also asked to consider if each property could be described as a first-choice staycation option for holidaymakers.
Sykes’ competition in search for the best holiday lets aims to inspire holiday let owners and celebrate excellence in holiday cottage accommodation across the country, with individual category winners receiving a £500 cash prize.
To view the full list of winners, visit the website here.
Kingston, owner of Lilac Cottage, said: “When we first bought the original ruin it was hard to imagine the holiday cottage it could become, but since embarking on our renovation journey we haven’t looked back.
“It has been truly rewarding to bring it back to life and share it with holidaymakers across the UK and abroad who come far and wide to enjoy Somerset and the beautiful Mendip Hills. We’re thrilled with the Best Renovation award, and it is great to get recognition for all of our hard work.”
Graham Donoghue, CEO at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “These awards don’t just showcase the very best of the UK and Ireland’s holiday lets, they also highlight the hard work that goes into holiday letting across the country.
“Its owners like Peter and Jenny that make Britain’s staycation market the success it is today and with so many other incredible holiday lets on offer in Somerset it is little surprise to see so many people choosing to explore the region for their staycations.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here