Latest news with #AwardsforExcellence
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Visit West Midlands attraction crowned best tourist spot in UK
The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley has been named the best tourist attraction in the UK, beating out the likes of Alton Towers, Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace A rising star has emerged from the West Midlands, recently crowned as the nation's top tourist attraction, outshining theme parks, castles and Royal residences. Every year, VisitEngland hosts its esteemed Awards for Excellence, honouring the crème de la crème of English tourism. One of the most sought-after awards is Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - and this year, the accolade has been awarded to an unexpected winner: The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Spanning 29 acres, this open-air museum brings 250 years of industrial history in the region to life, offering a raw and immersive glimpse into the soot, steam and steel that shaped modern Britain. Visitors can amble along cobbled streets, pop into reconstructed pubs and shops, and engage with costumed characters from every era of the Black Country's colourful past. If you've ever pondered exactly where the Black Country is, it's the part of the West Midlands that fuelled the Industrial Revolution - all furnaces, foundries and famously robust accents. The museum recently finished a £30 million redevelopment, its most ambitious project since 1978. The updates extend the historical journey to include the 1940s through the 1960s, showcasing postwar culture, vintage technology, and evolving social attitudes, reports the Express. There's even a coal mine to explore - and what some argue to be the best fish and chips in the region. Peaky Blinders enthusiasts will instantly recognise this spot - it's a prime filming location for the hit series, inviting you to pop on a flat cap and embrace your inner Tommy Shelby. The attraction boasts an impressive 4.4-star rating on Tripadvisor, based on over 6,000 reviews. Lilith G shared: "Beautiful place. All the actors had so much information to offer. The guy in the hardware store even had a four candels/fork handles joke ready." Choxbird reported: "I spent a few hours here on a recent visit ... Its an excellent museum with lots to see as you walk round ... I even did the 30 min tour down the mine which was very informative .. There are old buses and trams to ride around on too ... A good day out." Meanwhile, Angela recalled: "We have had a fantastic day out. While the price has increased since the last time we visited it has definitely been worth it. So much has changed and been added." Merely a stone's throw from Birmingham, with the bonus of free returns during the day included in your entry fee, visitors commonly allocate about five hours to take in all that's up for grabs. Not just a journey through history, but also a treat for seafood lovers—Dudley's Black Country Living Museum is making waves in tourism.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
This is officially the best hotel in England
You don't always need to get on a plane to have a luxurious break. There's plenty of brilliant places to stay right here in the UK. In fact, one hotel in particular is so good that it has just been named the best across the whole of England. VisitEngland, the country's official tourism board, are experts when it comes to where to go and what to do. Putting their all-seeing, all-knowing influence to good use, each year they conduct the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which celebrate 'those who have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional travel experiences'. There are a few categories, but one of the big ones is 'Large Hotel of the Year', and not just because of the size of the property. There are thousands of high-quality hotels in England, but only one can be awarded the gold. According to VisitEngland's criteria, the winner must be a 'full-service hotel' and be 'providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business'. This year, that honour goes to… the Mallory Court Hotel & Spa in Warwickshire! Mallory Court was described by the judges as providing 'a serene base' which is 'set within 10 acres of landscaped gardens'. When you look out your window and are met with rolling Warwickshire hills, it's hard to disagree. The spa comes complete with gorgeous views of the grounds, access to a pool, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. There's even a well-maintained garden you can walk through to clear your mind. VisitEngland also commended the hotel's 'strong commitment to sustainability, incorporating homegrown produce and eco-conscious practices along with its high-end touches'. If you do fancy leaving the grounds (although we can't see why you would), its proximity to nearby towns Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon is also a plus. Other accommodation categories included 'Small Hotel of the Year', which was won by the Summer Lodge Hotel in Dorset, 'B&B and Guesthouse of the Year', claimed by Sunnyside Guest House, Merseyside, and 'Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year', named as the Treworgey Cottages in Cornwall. Both the cottages and the Lodge Hotel are both quite rural, so clearly escaping to the countryside is firmly in. You can learn more about the rest of the Awards for Excellence, such as what 'cow cuddling' is and where you can get involved, on VisitEngland's website here. Planning your 2025 staycations If you're currently on the hunt for a perfect 2025 getaway, here's our favourite family friendly holiday digs. But you deserve to have fun too – here's some tree houses you can rent out for something a little different. We've also got guides to the country's cosiest cabins, and the coolest castles you can stay overnight in.
Metro
5 days ago
- Metro
England's top tourist experience is ‘perfect' — animal lovers want to live there
From historical castles and monuments, to brand-new food tours, shows and museums, England has so much to offer visitors who come in their droves. And it's not just those flying in from abroad who explore the likes of Cornwall's beaches or the Liverpool's nightlife – it seems we love being tourists at home, with Brits taking 906 million day trips and 90 million overnight trips in England last year. So, if you're looking for some staycation inspo, look no further: Visit England have announced the winners of their Awards for Excellence, which recognise the best tourism businesses across the country. And when it came to the best experience that the country has to offer, it was an unexpected visit to a farm that claimed the top spot. Head north to Yorkshire, and book yourself onto Dumble Farm's Cow Cuddling & Highland Cow Experience. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Nestled in Arram, near to Beverley in East Yorkshire, Dumble is a working farm with a focus on conservation and sustainability. At the heart of their work is caring for their 65 plus strong herd of Highland cows. As well as educating visitors about this endangered species, Dumble Farm say spending time with the cows has a calming effect and a positive impact on general well-being. And that's where cuddling comes in. Visitors on the three and a half hour tour get up close and personal with the 'affectionate and gentle' animals. There's a meeting with the adorable young cows, which guests can groom and get to know. Then it's onto the cuddle cows who are 'nearly always lying down' meaning visitors can lie back and relax with the animals. Then there's a safari around the farm, during which there's an opportunity to feed Highland cows from a trailer, before heading back for tea and cakes. The £95 price tag goes towards supporting the farm's conservation work. More Trending And, tourists have certainly not been disappointed after booking onto the tour, calling it the 'best day ever'. 'I would live here if I could,' wrote a TripAdvisor reviewer who did the tour in April. While another said: 'Don't think about it, do it'. And a third called it 'moo-sively impressive'. If you want to book onto the tour, you'll need to plan ahead. Tickets are snapped up fast, with a release dropping a month in advance. Cow cuddling stops for the summer though, so you'll have to wait until autumn before you can have start snuggling. Metro's Lifestyle Reporter, Courtney Pochin, tried cow cuddling at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood. As well as dairy cows, Hopefield is home to donkeys, sheep, pigs, horses, Shetland ponies, cats, rabbits, alpacas, reindeer, a boa constrictor, parrots, and a fox. There are also several exotic animals such as tanukis and skunks. 'As I entered the field, two Friesian cows, Jude and Devon ambled over. I know it sounds silly, but as most of the viral cow cuddling videos I'd seen online had featured much smaller calves, when these two gentle giants plodded over, my jaw dropped. 'There was no way I was ever going to be able to get my arms around them for a proper cuddle, although a taller (and braver) person might have been able to do so. 'Despite their somewhat intimidating size, however, Jude and Devon were just like big dogs. They licked my hand, allowed me to scratch their necks and backs, and were playful when it came to getting treats. 'A fun fact I discovered about cows is that they drool rather a lot, so feeding them by hand gets pretty messy. I just about managed to escape without getting slobber in my hair (my clothes weren't quite as fortunate). 'While suffice to say it wasn't quite the therapeutic experience TikTok had sold me on, there's no denying that it was a great activity for my general wellbeing. It was something different, it was fun, and I felt like Jude and I had become pals by the end. I left with a big smile on my face.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: This mythical destination is a perfect Mallorca alternative — without the crowds MORE: Italy's 'village of villages' contest reveal 5 must-visit hidden gems MORE: Your favourite places to eat in Europe that aren't the usual tourist traps
Man of Many
02-06-2025
- Business
- Man of Many
Wynns Coonawarra Estate's Latest Collection is Luxury Winemaking at its Finest
By Rob Edwards - Sponsored Published: 2 June 2025 |Last Updated: 29 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. When a winery has roots going back over 160 years, it's hard to comprehend the depth of expertise built over countless decades and generations of winemaking. So, it is with Wynns Coonawarra Estate. This purveyor of luxury drops boasts world-class credentials and is famed for delivering depth of flavour and unwavering quality, meaning each release is marked on the calendars of discerning wine lovers everywhere. Wynns Senior Winemaker Sue Hodder | Image: Wynns Under the leadership of senior winemaker Sue Hodder and winemaker Sarah Pidgeon—joint winners of 'Winemaker of the Year' at the 2016 Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) Awards for Excellence—Wynns has only seen its already considerable prestige grow over the last decade. Now, these skilled artisans of the Coonawarra region are preparing to launch their finest annual release yet: the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Luxury Collection. On June 4th, this stunning launch is set to establish a new benchmark for wines from South Australia and beyond. The collection of five premium drops will include a pair of releases never seen before, one of which is a limited edition, only serving to raise our anticipation. In fact, the releases already have us daydreaming about that first satisfying twist that opens a fresh bottle, so let's take a closer look at this outstanding collection of Coonawarra's finest from the masters at Wynns. Michael Shiraz 2022 | Image: Wynns Wynns Michael Shiraz 2022 Named after the first son of David Wynn (the Melbourne-based winemaker who purchased the winery with his father in 1951), this is Wynns Coonawarra Estate's best-of-vintage Shiraz, meaning any release is an event. Harnessing fruit from the best vineyard sites in Coonawarra, this wine is only made when fruit of the necessary quality is available, so you can expect demand for this one to be high. Price: AUD$150 Single Vineyard Childs Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | Image: Wynns Wynns Single Vineyard Childs Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Another special offering, this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single vineyard selected by Wynns to be bottled separately — a tradition Wynns maintains with each vintage. In 2022, it was decided the Childs Vineyard on V&A Lane was deserving of this honour, with the resulting wine showcasing the vineyard's signature superfine tannins and intricate layers. Planted in 1969, the Childs Cabernet Sauvignon has been a long-time contributor to Wynns outstanding offerings, and this release is further justification of its elevated status. Price: AUD$80 Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2024 | Image: Wynns Wynns Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2024 Lovingly produced using fruit from the McKillop Vineyard in Coonawarra's north, this vintage marks the first release of a straight-varietal, limited-edition Cabernet Franc. Thanks to a dry and mild-to-warm picking period with lower yields, the resulting wine boasts incredible brightness, balanced fruit, and intense varietal expression. The wine also features a striking vibrancy that arrives courtesy of a shorter maceration period and maturation in neutral 3000L French oak vats, making it perfect for immediate enjoyment or cellaring over the short to medium term. Price: AUD$80 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 | Image: Wynns Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 First introduced almost 70 years ago, Wynns Black Label Cabernet has a well-earned reputation for striking varietal and regional characteristics as well as its graceful ageing. Produced using only the top quality 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Wynns' Terra Rossa vineyards, it has proved itself one of Australia's most collectable wines, setting the standard by which other Australian Cabernet Sauvignons are judged. Price: AUD$45 Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2024 | Image: Wynns Wynns Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2024 To round out the collection, we have the inaugural release of Wynns' Black Label Messenger Chardonnay. Selecting fruit from the Messenger Vineyard, located at the southern end of Coonawarra's Terra Rossa strip, this release showcases a wonderful depth of fruit flavour that's delightfully paired with a firm acidity. Thanks to hand-picked grapes, whole-bunch pressing, barrel ageing, and malolactic fermentation, this luxurious white wine is equal parts smooth in texture, complex, and bright. Price: AUD$45 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Gables | Image: Wynns The Wynns Coonawarra Estate Luxury Collection is another incredible offering from one of Australia's most beloved winemakers. It is available from Wednesday, 4th June 2025, via Wynns' online boutique, major retailers nationwide as well as fine wine retailers around Australia. Discover more via the link below.
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Hospo industry recognised
The best of Queenstown hospo will find out next month if they're the best in the country. Three hotels, a restaurant, cafe, bar, two suppliers and a manager have been named as finalists in this year's Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence, being announced during the HNZ25 conference, in Wellington, on June 10 and 11. Crowne Plaza Queenstown general manager Stewart Manson's a finalist in the accommodation industry leader of the year, alongside Rajeev Sharma (Sarin Hotels) and Alexander Siebentritt (Rutherford Hotel, Nelson), while in the supplier of the year, it's a Queenstown battle, with the only finalists resort-based IT business Both Brains going up against local Jill Polson (Lion). Future Hospitality Group's (FHG) Little Blackwood is once again a finalist in the best bar category — other finalists are Madame Social (Napier), Moon Under Water and Rambler at Drifter, both in Christchurch, Sprig & Fern Tawa (Wellington), The Freeport with Cleaver & Co (Mount Maunganui) and Tipsy Oyster (Paihia) — while odd saint, also owned by FHG, is in the mix for best cafe. It's going up against Christchurch's Brigittes Merivale and Hello Sunday, Brunel Peaks Cafe & Bar (Monowai), Peekaboo Backyard Eatery (Kaitaia) and The Pantry (Auckland). In the best restaurant category, Sherwood has been named as a finalist, as has Metita — SkyCity Auckland, Esther Restaurant and TALA, both also in Auckland, Craggy Range Restaurant (Havelock North), Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar (Mount Maunganui), Madame Social and Pio Pio Restaurant by Milford Sound Lodge. Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, The Rees Hotel and The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi are all in the running for the best hotel, as are Crowne Plaza Christchurch, Park Hyatt Auckland, QT Auckland and The George (Christchurch). HNZ boss Steve Armitage says the calibre of this year's finalists "speaks volumes about the talent and tenacity driving our industry". "Each one reflects the energy, care, and creativity that hospitality in Aotearoa is known for. "The Awards for Excellence are our opportunity to acknowledge those individuals and businesses who are raising the bar through their commitment to excellence, and we're proud to recognise their impact and celebrate their success." 'Future Fest' launches Queenstown's Future Hospitality Group's hosting its first 'Future Fest' next month, beginning with Little Blackwood's 10th birthday party from 7pm this Sunday. Co-owners Bert Haines and James Ace say Queenstown in June can prove to be a "holding pattern" for some businesses and locals as the resort waits for snow to fall, ski areas to open and visitors to arrive. Future Fest's been designed to connect the community, showcase the group's offerings and "have a bit of fun", Haines says. Events next month include 'Dragged to Brunch' at Margo's, featuring Yuri Guaii and Rosa Violeta from Ru Paul's Drag Race, Sip & Paint, cocktail-making masterclasses, a long lunch collab between Little Blackwood and odd saint, and a Matariki celebration with a starry night theme. Additionally, Future Hospitality's launching its loyalty programme — a random draw on July 1 will see one person win a $20,000 prize pack by signing up. For more info, or tickets to events, visit
