1066 businesses up for tourism awards

16th century Kester House B&B, Sedlescombe, and Crowhurst Park Holiday Village have both been shortlisted for the prestigious Beautiful South tourism award, organised by Tourism South East, the official regional tourist body.

For the second year running, Kester House has been shortlisted in the B&B, Guest Accommodation of the Year category.

The B&B won a silver award in only their second year of trading in the 2012 ceremony, and this year owners Derek and Monique Wright are hoping to go one step better.

They said: “We are thrilled to be finalists again in these prestigious tourism awards.

“Perhaps it’s those little extras and touches that make the difference to our guests at Kester House. Mini muffins at breakfast and American pancakes vie for first choice over a full English breakfast. Not many B&Bs can also offer holistic and beauty therapies.

“We also spend time getting to know which of 1066 Country attractions our guests would like to visit. Having been to them all, we impart local knowledge, directions and anecdotes that make their days out even more enjoyable.”

Crowhurst Park Holiday Village, runner up in the Tourism South East Awards in 2008, is a finalist in the Caravan Holiday Park and Holiday Village of the Year category.

General manager, Gary Honeysett said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this award, and hope our hardworking staff will be too, as we entered the process without shouting about it, so this will be a pleasant surprise for them.

“We never stand still at Crowhurst Park and are about to install 18 new lodges measuring 45ft each on the hillside area of the park. Our recent open day attracted considerable interest from potential investors in the lodges.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 27 at Felbridge Hotel & Spa in East Grinstead.