Malvern Success at Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards

The county’s annual Tourism Awards took place at the Three Counties Showground on Friday 21 March 2025 which was a fantastic success for tourism and hospitality businesses from across The Malverns, with six businesses taking home awards and even more winning highly commended: 

Business Events Venue of the Year and Large Hotel of the Year Winner: Stanbrook Abbey Hotel

With its superbly renovated restaurant and conference rooms this converted abbey is an impressive location to conduct business. The Abbey offers 13 flexible meeting rooms and space for up to 400 attendees as well as a games room, wine cellar and snooker room – all decorated to a high standard with wood panelling, classical art and plush upholstery. Also offering AA Rosette awarded food and rooms with original stained glass windows it’s no wonder the judging panel took a shine to Stanbrook.

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Award Winner: Treeopia

Last years winners of the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year Award are still at the top of their game. These luxury treehouses are a credit to artisanal craftmanship and no expense has been spared; from their location in secluded countryside with woodland, waterfalls and lakes to hand building the treehouses themselves over 9 years. Green credentials are taken seriously at Treeopia where close attention has been paid to make all areas as low impact as possible – including solar powered lighting and robust recycling practices. Treeopia was also awarded highly commended in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category.

Experience of the Year Highly Commended: Morgan Experience

See how this piece of classic British engineering is still hand crafted with a tour of their Malvern Link factory. Get up close to the action as you are taken right onto the factory floor where highly trained engineers expertly piece together this fine engine. Knowledgeable factory tour guides are adept at explaining technicalities in plain language making the tours suitable for even car novices . There is also an onsite museum, café run by local bakers FAUN, and the opportunity to book drives in the cars themselves round the gorgeous countryside of The Malverns.

Festival & Event of the Year Winner: RHS Spring Festival

Competition was stiff in this fairly new category but, as a county of gardeners, the RHS Malvern Spring Festival scooped the rosette from the public vote. The RHS Spring Festival is a four day showcase of world leading gardens, specialist traders, celebrity guests and flower displays – truly bliss for anyone green-fingered.

New Tourism Business of the Year: Wagtail Retreat

With meticulously designed shepherds huts, set in a countryside meadow with views of the Malvern Hills, a wild swimming lake and even it’s own vineyard Wagtail Retreats has just become the new go to location in The Malverns.

The cabins are well insulated, spacious and include both log burners and outdoor bath and fire pit for relaxing in nature whatever the weather,

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year Winner: Rowley Farm Holidays

Set on a family farm, and recently featured in national newspapers for offering the very trendy hands on lambing holiday, Rowley farm offer a friendly and authentic slice of countryside living. Don’t fear, they haven’t compromised on the modern comforts that make for a comfortable holiday with all accommodation finished to an extremely high standard including hot tubs, king sized beds, underfloor heating and more.

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year Highly Commended: Elsie’s Cottage, Secret Bolthole

Elsie’s Cottage tucked away on the secluded slopes of the south hills, with a stunning terrace and outdoor hot tub its perfect for sunshine BBQ’s and stargazing – without a neighbour in sight!

Large Hotel of the Year Highly Commended: The Cottage in The Wood, Malvern

This boutique hotel, set high on the slopes of the Malvern Hills, offers panoramic views, award winning fine dining and newly renovated luxe bedrooms. With footpaths leading you through bluebell woods and onto the Malvern Hills on its doorstep there’s no better place to stay for the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.

Taste of Worcestershire Award Highly Commended: Unwined Bistro

Nothing can dampen the enthusiasm of this family run business. Created in Covid lockdowns and the victim to Tenbury Well’s terrible flooding the team at Unwined Bar and Bistro produce excellent tapas inspired by the family orientated food and wine culture of the Mediterranean. A real hidden gem which we are so proud has been noticed by the judges at Visit Worcestershire.