We are so lucky across The Malverns to be home to many award winning businesses. We have hotels recognised for excellence, restaurants applauded for their culinary success, festivals given the gold standard and even our walks have been nationality recognised. There is no longer any need to head for big cities to be treated to the best accommodation, food and attractions – rural areas and towns have matched their offering to provide the very best experiences that money can buy.
Award Winning Eateries
Across our district there are a group of restaurants that have been awarded the highest possible recognition for outstanding food. L’amuse-Bouche Restaurant, The Cottage in the Wood (3 AA Rosettes), The Inn at Welland, The Refectory – Stanbrook Abbey, Badgers Restaurant and The Manor Arms at Abberley have all been awarded AA Rosettes for either excellent or outstanding standards of cooking, ingredient choice and refinement. To read about these restaurants in full please see our AA Rosette (And a Michelin Star) Restaurants Across The Malverns Blog.
In Tenbury Wells Tapas restaurant Unwined has been the recipient of a flurry of awards since it opened in 2021. In 2023 they won Most Vibrant Tapas Bar at Lux Lifestyle Magazine’s Restaurant and Bar Awards and were finalists in the Start Up Awards Hospitality and Events Start Up of the Year category. Later in 2023 they were named Travelers Choice by Trip Advisor and have recently announced they are Winners of the Good Food Awards Blue Ribbon.
Award Winning Accommodation
There are so many amazing accommodation options across The Malverns from cosy shepherds huts and secluded campsites to luxury hotels with onsite spa’s and fine dining restaurants. Awards have been handed out to accommodation from across this wide spectrum in The Malverns so no matter what type of accommodation you’re looking for it’s sure to be special.
Many Malvern accommodation options scooped accolades at the 2023 Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards. Stanbrook Abbey Hotel won Business Events Venue of the Year, Rowley Farm Holidays won Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year, The Cottage in the Wood won Hotel of the Year, hand built luxury treehouse accommodation Treeopia won the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award and Bluebell Retreat Glamping took home New Tourism Business of the Year. To read up on all these top notch accommodation options see our blog: Malvern Success at Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards.
Head into the lush countryside of the Teme Valley and discover The Elms. This country house hotel and spa has been recognised by the Good Spa Guide for years running and awarded 5 luxury bubbles – an accolade given to only a few luxury spas in the country. The Greenhouse Spa is decorated with a botanical theme and includes an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool, soothing sauna, botanical lounge area, and a tropical swimming pool as well as the opportunity for some incredible treatments.
See our accommodation finder to browse all accommodation options:
Accomodation finderGreen Mark Awarded Businesses
Malvern Hills District Council is recognising the efforts of local tourism businesses in reducing their impact on the environment with its very own award scheme. The Green Mark scheme offers accreditation to tourism and hospitality businesses and provides recognition to businesses that do their part to run their business sustainably. Some of the elements that the Green Mark recognises are commitments to reduce carbon emissions, educate the community about respect for the environment and look after the biodiversity and wildlife on their property.
So far 11 businesses have been awarded the accreditation:
Astley Vineyard, The Fold, The Cottage in the Wood, The Dell House (B&B and self-catering), Rowley Farm Holidays, Daisy Cottage, Treherne House Bed and Breakfast (and The Malvern Retreat), Cannara B&B, Hop Pickers Rural Retreats, The Old Dairy and Cowleigh Park Farm.
Find out more about the green MarkAward Winning Shops
Great Malvern’s eclectic card and stationary shop Austin & Co has won many awards over it’s more than a decade of trade in the town. After a spectacular launch and first few years of trading they won Best Greeting Card Newcomer at the industry respected RETAS Awards. After becoming established, with a good few years of great trading under their belt, in 2021 they won at the RETA’s again – this time they were awarded Best Greeting Card Retailer for Wales and The Midlands. Austin & Co have also been recognised for their commitments to our furry friends – having been named ‘Best Dog Friendly Shop in the UK’ on more than one occasion.
Also in Great Malvern gift shop Rhubarb won the Independent Retailer of the Year in 2015 from The Greats Gift Retail Awards and was nominated for a Muddy Stilettos Award in the gift shop category in 2021.
In Tenbury Wells, pie shop The Wyre Pie Company was awarded a prestigious three star Great Taste Award for its range of traditional pies in 2023. This honour is only given to the top two percent of entries to these awards. The artisan butchers operates from a retail space in Clarkes Meadow, Tenbury Wells and has been crafting delicious pies and other meat products for over a decade.
Another tasty recipient of the Great Taste Award is Upon upon Severn’s The Pudding Shop. Makers of delicious, traditional sweet and savoury steamed puddings for 20 years this family run business is as wholesome as they come.
New addition to Upton upon Severn Warner’s Supermarket has been recognised for its excellent team by the Retail Industry Awards 2023. The judges were impressed by the way in which the team was pulled together and the range of experts and quality staff that were trained and recruited. Warner’s is an independent supermarket that sells locally sourced food & drink as well as being in partnership with Morrisons.
Award Winning Festivals
Upton Blues Festival is not only the UK’s biggest free blues festival but it is also multi – award winning. As well as plenty of nominations the festival has won the British Blues Award, “Blues Festival of the Year“, Visit Worcestershire Award “Best Festival & Events Award” and “Festival of the Year” at the 2023 UK Blues Awards. The festival takes place on three main stages throughout the town, and there are dozens more acts in the town’s pubs and bars.
Family festival Woo Fest, also set in Upton upon Severn, was voted UK’s Best Small Festival at The National Festival Awards in 2019 and 2022. With lots of activities for kids and a wide range of music from rock to modern hits it’s no wonder this festival is so popular. The festival has been running now for 10 years and raises money for St Richards Hospice.
Award Winning Activities
Severn Expeditions is a family run day boat hire business based in Upton upon Severn, they offer the opportunity to access the River Severn and all it’s wildlife and stunning scenery. They will teach you the ropes, provide everything you would need for a fantastic family day on the river – including the option of a pre prepared picnic. In 2024 they were awarded a Travel and Hospitality Award. The recipients of this award are evaluated by a panel of experts on submitted materials, customer feedback and facilities.
If you are an award winning business in The Malverns and would like to be featured on this list then please contact us to let us know: Tel: 01684 892289
E-mail: [email protected]
