Wow! We are extremely happy to announce that Valleyside Escapes has been honoured as the best glamping site in Devon after receiving GOLD in the Glamping Business of the year category at this year’s Devon Tourism Awards. It is a fantastic achievement and recognition of our team’s hard work. We are absolutely thrilled!

This is the fourth award from Visit Devon after scooping bronze in the Best New Tourism category in 2019 and commended in the Glamping Business of the Year category in 2021 and 2022. It is our 8th award in total, after opening five years ago.

The process to achieve this award is vigorous! For stage 1 applicants are required to complete an extensive questionnaire backed with evidence about why the glamping site is impressive, how it has developed, what successes there have been and future plans. This is scored and if passed stage 2 requires a judge to stay and capture first-hand experience. Following the visit it is then decided if the applicant progresses to the final stage where a gold, silver, bronze, or commended is awarded.

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism commented, “What an extraordinary industry and county this is! Whatever is thrown at this sector there is a dynamic core that bypasses the hurdles and continues to innovate and invest – and what’s also great is that entries into the awards are up.”

There were a record 142 entrants with 70 finalists across 23 categories in this year’s Devon Tourism Awards. We have evolved and enhanced our site every year to give glampers the best experience and help create lots of amazing holiday memories and this award is confirmation of that.

There have been lots of congratulations messages including Carrie Thomas, Visitor Information Officer, Tiverton Tourist Information Service, “Huge congratulations to Valleyside Escapes, they continue to grow and evolve and win awards! The availability of this multi award-winning, unique, luxury glamping site in Mid-Devon is great for tourists and supports our current work to promote all what is great about this area through Visit Mid Devon.”

Valleyside Escapes wasn’t the only Mid-Devon Business to be recognised at the awards the Tiverton Canal Company scooped bronze for best small visitor attraction, Bear Town also received a bronze for their ‘Princess School’ event and the Duck & Bean café in Tiverton received a bronze for Dog Friendly Business of the Year.

Rest assured if you are thinking of booking a glamping break in Devon there are also award-winning attractions and restaurants nearby!

All finalists from the Devon Tourism awards are automatically entered into the regional South West England Tourism Excellence awards and the finalists are announced in January. So keep following us on Facebook and Instagram to see if we make the shortlist!