THE Bristol Hotel was at capacity on Thursday (November 30) as 64 awards were presented to the best tourism and hospitality businesses from across Bristol, Bath and Somerset.

The awards covered everything from accommodation and attractions to food and drink and activities, with an ever-wider range of visitor experiences among the winners.

There were also awards for an increasing numbers of businesses in the all-important new tourism business, sustainable tourism and accessible tourism categories.

Three special awards were announced, the first being the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, which went to the Welcome Team at Bristol Temple Meads.

The Future of Hospitality was new this year and was awarded to Aurora Foxes in Minehead.

The final award of the night, the Winner of Winners award, went to the exceptional teams at the Queensberry Hotel and the Olive Tree Restaurant in Bath.

Winners in most categories will now be considered for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards to be presented at Exeter University in March 2024 and possibly invited to represent Bristol, Bath and Somerset in the 2024 national VisitEngland Awards.

Ben McGrail, host of the awards, said: “It was a real honour to be part of such a celebration of the amazing tourism industry in Bristol, Bath and Somerset.

"We have so much to offer across the region and the night really showed off just how hard people work to make that possible.

"Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”

Awards director Nell Barrington said: “Each year these awards get more and more competitive.

"They really do showcase the finest experiences visitors to the county can have and provide a truly inspirational bucket list.

"It was a privilege to be able to celebrate with such fantastic businesses. Congratulations to them all.”

2023/24 BRISTOL BATH & SOMERSET TOURISM AWARDS.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Visit West.

Gold: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge.

Silver: Mountain Lodge, Banwell.

Commended: The Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare.

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Voltshare.

Gold: Bossington Hall, Nr Porlock.

Silver: The Old Parsonage, Farrington Gurney.

Commended: Brooks Guesthouse Bristol.

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Bristol Airport.

Gold: University of Bristol Venues and Events, Bristol.

Silver: Bristol Harbour Hotel, Bristol.

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Sunflower Social Media.

Gold: The Middlewick Farm Shop and Café, Glastonbury.

Silver: The Almshouse Tea Shop, Axbridge.

Bronze: The Loft at Wells Cathedral, Wells.

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking.

Gold: Mendip Basecamp, Churchill'

Silver: Wytch Wood Camping, Crewkerne.

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Barrington Associates.

Gold: The Middlewick, Glastonbury.

Silver: The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Shepton Mallet.

Commended: Revo Kitchen, Weston-Super-Mare.

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Orchid.

Gold: Middlewick Holiday Cottages, Glastonbury.

Silver: Wytch Wood Camping, Crewkerne.

Bronze: Burton Springs Holidays, Burton.

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING), sponsored by Services for Tourism.

Gold: Learn to Ski - Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill.

Silver: The Quest – Tor’s Tours, Glastonbury.

FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AWARD, sponsored by NFU Mutual, North Somerset & Chew Valley.

Aurora Foxes, Minehead.

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Anytime Booking.

Gold: Tractors and Cream, Nr Bridgwater.

Silver: Little England Retreats, Othery.

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Tozers.

Gold: Wall Eden Farm, East Huntspill.

Silver: Sandy Glade Holiday Park, Burnham on Sea.

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Guestline.

Gold: Clayton Hotel, Bristol.

Silver: Village Hotel, Bristol.

Bronze: Mollie’s Motels, Cribbs Causeway.

Commended: Aztec Hotel and Spa, Almondsbury.

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Albert Goodman.

Gold: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge.

Silver: Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill. SS Great Britain Trust, Bristol.

Bronze: Wells Cathedral, Wells.

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD, sponsored by Stephens Scown.

Gold: Mountain Lodge, Banwell. Wake The Tiger, Bristol.

Silver: The Middlewick Farm Shop and Café, Glastonbury.

Bronze: COR Restaurant, Bristol. Galahad Tours, Corsham.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM AWARD, sponsored by Visit West.

Bristol Temple Meads Welcome Team.

PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Thatchers Cider.

Gold: The Cotley Inn, Nr Chard.

Silver: The Barrington Boar, Nr Ilminster.

Bronze: The Royal Oak Inn, Luxborough.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Somerset Distillery.

Gold: The Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath.

Silver: Gambas, Bristol. Podshavers Restaurant, Nr Bishops Lydeard.

Bronze: COR Restaurant, Bristol.

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Booking.com.

Gold: Croftview, Hinton St George.

Silver: The Middlewick, Glastonbury.

Bronze: Model Farm Country House, Nr Bridgwater.

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR.

Gold: The Queensberry Hotel, Bath.

Commended: The Castle at Taunton, Taunton.

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Ball Fire Protection.

Gold: West of England Falconry, Nr Bath.

Silver: Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre, Bristol.

Bronze: 1 Royal Crescent, Bath.

SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, in partnership with Somerset Life.

Gold: Your Best You at Aztec Hotel & Spa, Bristol.

Silver: HarSPA at Bristol Harbour Hotel, Bristol.

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR, sponsored by What’s On Somerset.

Gold: Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre, Glastonbury.

Silver: FEAR Scream Park, Keynsham. Twilight Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill

Bronze: Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch, Keynsham.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD, sponsored by Age UK Somerset.

Zoe Furse - Aurora Foxes, Minehead.

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Touch Stay.

Gold: Exmoor National Park Centre, Dulverton.

Silver: Bath World Heritage Centre. Porlock Visitor Centre.

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Quality in Tourism.

Gold: Aldwick Estate, Bristol.

Silver: Barley Wood House, Wrington.

Bronze: The Orangery at Goldney House, Bristol.

Commended: Old Down Estate, Bristol.

WINNER OF WINNERS, sponsored by NFU Mutual North Somerset & Chew Valley.

The Queensberry Hotel & The Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath.