Hidden gem theme park revealed as Scotland's best family day out
SCOTLAND'S best family day out has been revealed at a glittering ceremony.
The country's most-loved bars, restaurants and fun spots have been honoured at this year's Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.
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The hidden gem theme park came out on top
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There's load of thrilling rides including the Dead Man's Drop
And a hidden gem theme park has scooped top spot for Best Day Out in the country.
Codona's, in Aberdeen, beat stiff competition to win the category. The park is packed full of thrilling rides, from the Galleon Pirate Ship and Dead Man's Drop Tower to the Grampian Big Eye Ferris wheel and three-level karting.
Meanwhile, there's bowling, laser tag and adventure gold courses as well as an arcade and plenty of food and drink options.
Bev Anderson, duty manager at the park, said: "We are all immensely proud of winning 'Best Day Out' in the Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards but most of all we are very proud of the team that have made this possible and extremely thankful to our amazing customers who voted for us.
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"We cannot thank our team and our customers enough for their continued support."
The lavish event at Glasgow's Doubletree By Hilton flew in global stars The Vengaboys for an exclusive live show, to the surprise of the packed room, along with a performance from current Britain's Got Talent viral finalist Vinnie McKee.
The awards are decided by a combination of public nomination and voting along with visits by judges so a win is an endorsement first and foremost by customers.
Bev said: "People enjoy a day out with us because there is something for everyone.
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"We have a wide variety of activities and attractions from Bowling to Amusement Park rides, Smugglers Cove Adventure Play to Indoor and Outdoor golf, as well as an arcade with everything you need to keep you entertained for hours."
Codonas has a number of great deals on over the summer and Bev and the team can't wait to welcome visitors.
The holiday park that's been called an affordable Centre Parcs
She said: "We are at the heart of Aberdeen beach and are very much looking forward to showcasing what we do to visitors from afar throughout the Tall Ships which are coming this July."
Awards Director Warren Paul said it is a tough time for everyone right now and it's key to celebrate Scotland's brilliant entertainment scene.
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He said: "We need to socialise, we need that break and to let off steam, escape all the day to day worries – and that's what our friends in hospitality provide.
'With many closures and difficulties, it's important to recognise those who go above and beyond to give the public that chance to zone out, relax and de-stress.
RUNNERS UP
THERE were four more venues that were highly recommended in the Best Day Out category:
Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder
M&D'S - Scotland's Theme Park, Motherwell
The Quay, Glasgow
Top Golf, Rutherglen
'That's what these awards are for – it's a nod and a thank you from the public to the place and people they appreciate, those who do it better than the rest or just offer something really special.
'So while we have big names performing here tonight, the real stars are the award winners from all over Scotland, venues and businesses who stand out every single day and night.
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'Thank you to every winner, every highly recommended and every business who perhaps hasn't won tonight but is out there working hard every day to support us all – sadly there can be only one winner in each category and some are very close.'
The awards also celebrated bars with the best pub in Scotland and the best sports bar among the winners.
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20 of the best places to go for an easy bank holiday weekend
We're a bit hard done by in the UK when it comes to public holidays. Discounting Christmas and New Year, in England we get only five freebie days every year (those of us who live north of the border in Scotland or over in Northern Ireland get one and two more respectively, but it's still remarkably stingy). Contrast that with most other European nations, whose calendars are stuffed with feast days, kings' days, saints' days, holy days and martial commemorations — any excuse for a day off, it seems —and it's hard not to feel a little shortchanged. So it's essential to make the absolute most out of the few bank holidays we do get. That's where this list comes in: 20 ideas for quick-hit adventures, both close to home and a little further afield, that are easily doable over a long weekend. Spot puffins on Lundy, spy orcas in Shetland, check out street art in Berlin or ride Switzerland's iconic mountain train. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Boating around the Broads is a popular bank holiday pursuit, but for something a little different, how about learning to pilot a half decker? These wooden sailing skiffs were the traditional way of getting around in the days before outboard motors and diesel engines, and they have an elegance that harks back to a simpler, quieter age. Hunter's Yard in Ludham has a fleet of half deckers and larger cabin yachts, and runs Royal Yachting Association-approved courses to teach you the boating basics and improve your skills. Since you're in the Broads, you'll want to be by the water, so try the Hotel Wroxham, six miles west of Ludham. 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