Bath tourist attractions and hospitality venues swept the board against rivals from across Bristol and Somerset in a major awards scheme last night.
The Roman Baths & Pump Room won a hat-trick of Golds in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, International Tourism an Large Visitor Attraction of the Year categories while the Assembly Rooms struck Gold with the Business Events Venue of the Year title. Bath Christmas Market also landed Gold in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category. 
Other Gold winners from the Bath area at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards were The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast, Shepton Mallet (Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse of the Year), the Wheatsheaf at Combe Hay (Dog Friendly Pub of the Year), Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa (Large Hotel of the Year and Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year), Sweet Cumin, Radstock, (Learning Experience of the Year), The Apartment (New Tourism Business Award), Menu Gordon Jones (Restaurant/Bistro of the Year), The PIG – near Bath (Small Hotel of the Year) and The Herschel Museum of Astronomy (Small Visitor Attraction of the Year).
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.
They were among a record 82 finalists competing for gold, silver or bronze in at the ceremony at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre.
Some 142 entries were received for the annual awards, which were sponsored by NFU Mutual Clifton and Wrington.
Changes this year included new entry forms, processes and a closer link with the regional South West and national VisitEngland Awards.
Judging was also changed, with an increased focus on digital presence and evidence.
Awards organiser Nell Barrington said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the range of top quality businesses that have taken part this year. The competition was so tough and my congratulations goes out to all the finalists.”
The winners were announced at the prestigious black tie dinner by BBC Bristol’s Laura Rawlings with guest speakers Bev and Sarah Milner Simmonds from multi award-winning eat:Festivals.
Wines served at the dinner were from award-winning Redhill, near Bristol, vineyard Aldwick Estate.
Bath Business News will have a full report of the awards and photos next week.
