Some of the Bath area’s top tourism venues have spoken of their delight at being among the big winners at a prestigious regional awards scheme.
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, based just outside the city at Colerne, received five awards at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards 2019 while the Roman Baths won three. 
Lucknam Park’s haul included two Golds – in the Large Hotel and Spa & Wellbeing Experience categories – and Silvers for Wedding Venue, Restaurant/Bistro and Dog Friendly Business.
The Roman Baths’ hat-trick of Golds were for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, International Tourism and Large Visitor Attraction.
Other Gold winners from in and around Bath included Sweet Cumin Indian Cookery School in Radstock – which topped the Learning Experience of the Year category – The Apartment (New Tourism Business Award) and The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Shepton Mallet, (Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse).
The Assembly Rooms, Bath (Business Events Venue), Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Bruton, (Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism), The Wheatsheaf, Bath, (Dog Friendly Pub), Menu Gordon Jones, Bath (Restaurant/Bistro), The PIG near Bath (Small Hotel of the Year), The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath (Small Visitor Attraction), Bath Christmas Market (Tourism Event/Festival) also struck Gold.
A raft of other Bath area venues and attractions including Battle Archery at Keynsham, Brooks Guesthouse, Mad Max Tours, and the West of England Falconry at Newton St Loe were among the Silver and Bronze winners and commended finalists on the night. 
Lucknam Park director of sales and marketing Silmiya Hendricks said: “We are all extremely delighted with this achievement and to have received this recognition across the business.
“We are very proud of the Lucknam Park team for their hard work and continuous dedication to providing the best possible service for our guests.”
The five-star hotel, a former Palladian mansion where rooms start at £295 a night, is set in 500 acres of parkland. It boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant under executive chef Hywel Jones, as well as a less formal brasserie, and boasts a formidable cookery school, a world-class ESPA Spa and a renowned equestrian centre.
Sweet Cumin Indian Cookery School was launched by cookery expert Bini Ludlow eight years ago with just £200.
Now the cookery school, which teaches keen cooks the secrets of great Indian recipes, is attracting customers from as far afield as the US and Spain.
Bini, pictured collecting her award, believes in teaching cooks the importance of using spices, trying new flavour combinations and creating and developing their own dishes.
She said: “It was the first time we have entered a tourism award. We would have never have thought that a small business – with big ideas – in Radstock would bring so much business to the region. I feel proud to have helped other businesses along the way.” 
Adam Powell, the owner/manager of The Apartment – a two-bedroom luxury holiday home Widcombe – said: “Being recognised across Bristol, Bath and Somerset on the eve of our second birthday is the best possible way to thank the 600 guests from over 25 countries we’ve welcomed since opening.”
Adam, pictured, centre, collecting his award, said it was also testament to the “brilliant” team of local artists, interior designers, skilled tradespeople, cleaners and retailers who have helped us provide guests with exceptional and memorable stays.
“We’re a single-property business so thrive on providing each guest with a genuinely personalised welcome and tailored recommendations for local places to eat, drink and visit during their stay. As a young business, we’re responding directly to the changing tastes and demands of leisure and business travellers,” he added.
“Our customers stay and spend in Bath – particularly in our local neighbourhood economy of Widcombe – before leaving our home away from home relaxed, refreshed and with lifelong memories of our special city.”
The Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, sponsored by NFU Mutual Clifton and Wrington, attracted 142 entries – with a record 82 finalists competing for gold, silver or bronze in at the ceremony at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre.
The awards were hosted by BBC Bristol’s Laura Rawlings with guest speakers Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds from multi award-winning eat:Festivals.
