The winners of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards were announced last night at Tortworth Court Hotel near Bristol.

Entrants were judged on their facilities, customer care and accessibility for customers with disabilities as well as commitment to sustainability, recycling and the environment, use of regional produce and investment in the local community.

Three Ways House in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, won small hotel of the year, while Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, was the large hotel winner.

Forde Abbey & Gardens in Chard, Somerset, scooped small visitor attraction, and Brunel’s SS Great Britain in Bristol won the best large visitor attraction, building on its Gulbenkian Museum of the Year accolade in May.

Budock Vean Hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall, received the outstanding customer service award.

Thirteen of the 16 regional gold winners will represent the South West region at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in April 2007.

South West Tourism is a partnership of private enterprise and both local and central government aimed at encouraging the promotion and development of tourism in Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth/Poole, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence celebrate the best of English tourism and promote healthy industry competition and high standards to ensure England’s place as a world-class destination. Details: www.swtourism.co.uk

Photograph: SS Great Britain in Bristol won the best large visitor attraction