Sawday’s, champions of independent and special places to stay, has presented its awards to coincide with its 20th anniversary. The awards celebrate the most unique and creative places from the company’s unusual membership: B&Bs, hotels, self-catering places, pubs & inns, and Canopy and Stars Glamping locations.
All 13 Sawday’s award winners have been selected by a panel of judges, Sawday’s experts and independent travel specialists to reflect the variety of places that Sawday’s champions, and to recognise the individuals that give everything to ensure guests have a memorable and special experience.
The awards were presented by Alastair and Toby Sawday to winners at a celebratory event at the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol on 27 October 2014.
Alastair Sawday says of the awards, “It is a real joy for us to be able to shine a light on the work of such talented and committed people as our Award Winners and see so many Special Places doing their own thing and doing it brilliantly. These lovely winners are just the tip of the Sawday iceberg; they are among hundreds more whose work sparkles and makes travel so rewarding.”
Sawday’s 20th Anniversary Award Winners 2014
B&B of the Year – Old Country Farm & The Lighthouse, Malvern, Worcestershire
Alastair Sawday said, “If you want to get into the country and experience a closeness to wildlife this location is for you. Hearty breakfasts for walkers and a quiet setting inside a family home steeped in history and interest.”
Hotel of the Year – Langar Hall, Langar, Nottinghamshire
Alastair Sawday says: “It is high time that we gave an award to Langar Hall. Imogen’s energy and devotion deserve an award in themselves, and the house is perfectly formed – a triumph of good taste and personality rolled together. The superb food, the elegant and surprising rooms, the setting – all deserve an award, as does the gentle sense of fun.”
Pub of the Year – The Pheasant, Halstead, Essex
Toby Sawday says: “How lucky the villagers of Gestingthorpe must feel. Their local pub was saved, not brash interlopers but by a sympathetic couple who’ve brought a sense of humour, a deep commitment to local food producers and the entrepreneurial flair to transform the Pheasant from being forlorn and forgotten into the heartbeat of the local community. Deservedly award-winning.”
Alastair Sawday said, “Richard and Sheila have never bowed an inch to pressure from the outside world. They plough a field of furrows their own way, and the results have been, in our view, a triumph. If ever there was a generous welcome, an unstinting devotion to having fun, to being kind and to including every guest in the party – then it was here. It is not for the pompous or the unbending, but it works brilliantly if you are open-minded and easy-going.”Special Place of the Year – Alastair Sawday’s Choice – Fingals, Dartmouth, Devon
Trailblazer of the Year – Walter at Inshriach, Inshriach House, Highland
Toby Sawday says: “Walter finds things and then makes things. This could very well be a lifetime trailblazing achievement award, such is his track record for the ‘how/why on earth did he do that’… but 2014 has been a particularly busy year. It started by slowly dismantling an old Victorian train station, and moving it to Inshriach, where once rebuilt it will become a recording studio and workshop space. In spring, Walter launched a sauna in an old horsebox (handmade, of course) to sit alongside his growing collection of Canopy & Stars glamping spaces, and later this month Walter plans to pick his first crop of junipers which will be turned into gin at Scotland’s newest, and smallest, distillery!”
Slow Food – Masseria Il Frantoio Agriturismo, Brindisi, Italy
Toby Sawday says: “Food, glorious food. Local, seasonal, grown on the farm. Pugliese recipes, Pugliese wines (many organic) and a sense of theatre about every meal. Armando – passionate, engaging drum-beater for slow food and the role it plays in community, culture, life itself – glides between tables with stories about each dish. Rosalba, his wife, quietly works her magic from the kitchen. A real slow food experience.”
Squeaky Green Winner – Covert Cabin, Dordogne, France
Alastair Sawday said, “Di and Bob are true pioneers of the ‘green’ holiday. They’re not just ‘using’, more so, ‘inventing’, green technology. Figuring seemingly complex stuff out and then making it work themselves.”
One of a Kind Winner New Inn Brilley, Whitney-on-Wye, Hereford
Alastair Sawday said, “This spiritual retreat is full of individuality, Tibetan flags and wildflowers welcome guests in to the cosy stay filled with collectables and thoughtful touches.”
Labour of Love Winner – The Old Forge, Fanners Yard, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Toby Sawday said, “Toby Sawday says: “The Old Forge is a delightful expression of Lucy and Tim’s characters: engaging, quirky, warm, ‘vintage England’. They’ve poured themselves into restoring these buildings over the years, yet added their own original flourishes, from shepherd’s huts to a garage – complete with vintage petrol pump and enamel signs – for Tim’s classic cars. It’s curious, curio-filled, yet never tacky – and with the gentle warmth of a very happy home. Truly special.”
Self-catering winner – Le Clos des Capucins
Alastair Sawday says: “The fact that her wine is bio-dynamically grown says a lot about Fiona and her values: she is prepared to swim against the current. This is an enchanting place, the sort of mini-chateau of which one dreams on a bad day in England.”
Stonkingly Good Value – Manor House Farm, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Toby Sawday says: “Chris & Margaret opened their very special B&B not to squeeze all that they can from guests, but to share their rambling family house – and the sense of flair and fun with which they run it – with as many people as possible, not simply those with deep pockets. In a world rocked by greed and excess, their approach to doing B&B is a blast of fresh air.”
Glamping Location of the Year – Penhein Glamping, Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Toby Sawday said, “Penhein’s concept is unique, and the thought that has gone into it astonishing. The beautiful Persian inspired alachighs manage to be at once blissfully comfortable and adventurously outdoorsy.”
Guests’ Choice Winner –The Gatehouse, Monmouthshire
Sawday’s guests said, “Enchanting setting; step through the gate and the world seems to stop. Beautiful space, just what is needed for a romantic idyll.”
About Sawday’s
Sawday’s is neither a travel agent nor a booking facility but is a respected, independent voice for thoughtful travellers. All of Sawday’s places have been inspected, but what makes each place ‘special’ varies hugely. Common to all are owners whose personality, friendliness and local knowledge ensure a memorable stay.
Sawday’s are dedicated to promoting the joys of independent travel and have nearly 5000 places across the UK and Europe.
For more information about Sawday click here
For more information about Sawday’s Awards click here