Last night (Thursday), Red Funnel’s annual Isle of Wight Awards were handed out at Northwood House in Cowes, at a celebration of businesses that make the Island a unique and incredible destination for tourists and Islanders.
Almost 60,000 votes were cast by members of the Island community, selecting their top three businesses for 20 different awards across four categories – accommodation, food and drink, things to do and ‘other’.
60 gold, silver and bronze awards
Overall, 60 gold, silver and bronze awards were issued, shining a spotlight on well-established tourism businesses as well as on a record-breaking 21 newcomers, who all picked up their first accolade in 2023.
349 businesses from all over the Isle of Wight were nominated this year, underscoring the tremendous variety of places to eat, stay and spend a great day out on the Island.
Three brand new gold winners
Walk the Wight, Grace’s Bakery, Sentry Mead, and Fins Beach Café are three brand new gold winners for 2023, taking home awards in the Best Event, Best Local Produce, Best B&B and Best Café categories respectively.
Repeat winners include The Blacksmiths winning Best Pub, Corries Cabin taking home the prize for Best Fish & Chips and Monkey Haven, retaining their title for Best Small Attraction.
Collins: Thanks to all
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, presenting the awards last night, said,
“I want to say a huge congratulations to all of the award winners and applaud their success and well-deserved prize.
“I also want to thank everyone and every business that was nominated for making the Island a destination that continues to deliver outstanding memories and experiences.
“Finally, I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote. It was a pleasure to meet so many business owners and I’m already looking forward to the 2024 awards.”
Beachlands Collective: Incredibly honoured to have won a gold award
Taking home the Gold award for Best Self-Catering from a trio of three Awards newcomers, Beth and Sarah Medley, Owners of Beachlands Collective said,
“We are incredibly honoured to have won a gold award this year and wish to thank Red Funnel and everybody who voted for making this possible.
“We have loved hosting people from locals to tourists over the last year and can’t wait to continue offering a great experience.”
The Haviland Cottage took Silver, while Beryl Farm Cottages took Bronze.
Best B&B / Guest House
Gold – Sentry Mead
Silver – The Chequers Inn
Bronze – St Leonards Guest House
Best Burger
Gold – The Cow
Silver – The Blacksmiths
Bronze – Harbour Kitchen
Best Activity Provider
Gold – Island Gems Fossil Trips
Silver – Tackt-Isle Adventures
Bronze – Haven Falconry Bird of Prey Centre
Best Green Business
Gold – Tapnell Farm
Silver – Monkey Haven
Bronze – Roake Studio
Best Campsite
Gold – The Orchards Holiday Park
Silver – Waverley Park Holiday Centre
Bronze – Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park
Best Café or Tearoom
Gold – Fins Beach Cafe
Silver – Blueberrys Café
Bronze – Dimbola Tea Room & Coffee House
Best Island Event
Gold – Walk the Wight
Silver – The Isle of Wight Festival
Bronze – The Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Best Newcomer
Gold – Definitely Cheesecakes
Silver – Hayden’s Chip Shop
Bronze – Isle Love Sweets
Best Holiday Park
Gold – Waverley Park Holiday Centre
Silver – The Orchards Holiday Park
Bronze – Nodes Point Holiday Park
Best Fish & Chips
Gold – Corries Cabin
Silver – The Waterfront Bar & Restaurant
Bronze – Hayden’s Chip Shop
Best Large Attraction
Gold – Tapnell Farm
Silver – The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Bronze – Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Best Place for Dogs
Gold – Luccombe Manor Hotel
Silver – Off the Rails Bronze – Snacks & Ladders Board Game Café
Best Hotel Experience
Gold – Luccombe Hall Hotel
Silver – The Royal
Bronze – The Seaview Hotel
Best Local Produce
Gold – Grace’s Bakery
Silver – The Isle of Wight Distillery
Bronze – Briddlesford Farm
Best Small Attraction
Gold – Monkey Haven
Silver – The Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum
Bronze – The Isle of Wight Ghost Experience
Best Place to go Glamping
Gold – Tom’s Eco Lodge
Silver – Glamping the Wight Way
Bronze – The Garlic Farm Yurts
Best Pub
Gold – The Blacksmiths
Silver – The Old Fort, Seaview
Bronze – The Caulkheads
Best Shop/ Retail
Gold – The Garlic Farm Shop
Silver – Jurassic Jim
Bronze – Isle Love Sweets
Best Self-Catering
Gold – Beachlands Collective
Silver – Haviland Cottage
Bronze – Beryl Farm Cottages
Best Restaurant
Gold – The Yarbridge Inn
Silver – Smoking Lobster
Bronze – True Food Kitchen
News shared by Emma on behalf of Red Funnel. Ed
