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After 5 years in business and 11 Awards later (October 2008) that we are extremely proud to announce that we have just been awarded "Finalist" in all 3 of the categories that we entered in the South West Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008/2009 - "Bed and Breakfast of the Year", "Sustainable Tourism" and "Taste of the South West" categories. 

It has at times been an uphill battle to reach the level of excellence that we wanted to get to; sometimes a goal that seemed too far out of our reach and that pushed us to the very limits.  However, we have reached our goal and we can now enjoy our success after putting a great deal of time, energy, love and passion into our business. 

We are also the only bed and breakfast in the Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire area to have been awarded GOLD for Green Tourism.  We are also the only 4 Star SILVER Bed and Breakfast in the whole of Bristol and only one of three in the Bath area.

Robin Barker, who heads up the Awards for the South West, says:  “Fern Cottage is recognised by the judges as one of our ‘elite’ businesses achieving a rare balance between excellence, sustainability and affordability.  In an extraordinarily competitive sector, for Fern Cottage to be recognised as a finalist in not just one, but three categories is testament to Sue and Pete’s dedication.  Their ongoing investment of time and money in ensuring their business is ‘at the top’ is a role model to all.” 

Use the scroll bar on the right hand side of this page to view all our Awards below
 

Silver Award for Sustainable Tourism L-r: Host Ben Miller, Sue James and Chairman of Visit England Hugh Taylor March 2008, at the National EnjoyEngland Awards, Liverpool

Celebrity Chef Michael Caines OBE presenting us with "South West Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2007/2008 in November 2007 at Forde Abbey

Receiving "Sustainable Tourism Award 2007/2008 from Excellence in Tourism Awards" at the Palace Hotel, Torquay in October 2007

Celebrity Chef Lesley Waters presenting us with "South West Bed & Breakfast of the Year Award 2006/2007" from The Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards 2006 at The Great Barn in October 2006.
  November 2008 - Awarded "Gold" for Gloucestershire from the Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards 2008/2009 for the 3rd year running!!
  October 2008 - Awarded "Finalists" in Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year from South West Tourism Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008/2009

 

 
  October 2008 - Awarded "Finalists" in Taste of the South West" from South West Tourism Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008/2009

 

 
  October 2008 - Awarded "Finalists" in "Sustainable Tourism" from South West Tourism Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008/2009

 

 
 

Enjoy England National Awards for Excellence Announce the Winners in the Sustainable Tourism Award for 2008/2009.

We were Awarded SILVER (for the whole of England) in the "Sustainable Tourism Award" at the National Awards Ceremony from the Enjoy England Excellence Awards 2008/2009. 

  On 29th October 2007 we attended the South West Tourism Excellence in Tourism Award Ceremony in Torquay, where we were very proud to receive the GOLD for "Sustainable Tourism" category for the whole of the South West. 
  On 29th October 2007 we attended the South West Tourism Excellence in Tourism Award Ceremony in Torquay, where we were very proud to receive the SILVER Award for "Taste of the South West" category for the whole of the South West.  Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Restaurant in Cornwall won the GOLD. 
  We were very proud to be a FINALIST in the "Bed and Breakfast Accommodation of the Year" from South West Tourism, Excellence in Tourism Awards in September 2007
  On Tuesday 13th November we were awarded "South West Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2007/2008" from the Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards.  This is the 2nd year running we have received this prestigious title and we are very proud to have been awarded it again.  Out of 6 counties (Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall) 6 Gold awards were given in the bed and breakfast category.  The 6 bed and breakfast Gold Awards were judged again and Fern Cottage was awarded the title of “South West Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2007/2008”.
  In October 2007 for the 2nd year running we have received a GOLD Award from the Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards 2007-2008.  We are very proud to have won this award again. The Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards promote local producers of food and drink, as well awarding titles such as South West Restaurant of the Year, South West Dining Pub of the Year, South West Tea Room of the Year, South West Local Retail Outlet of the Year, South West Online Retailer of the Year and South West Bed and Breakfast of the Year from the six counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire
 

On 27th April 2007 we were awarded the new rating of 4 Stars with a Silver Award from VisitBritain on behalf of the Tourist Board.   We are very proud to have gone from 4 Diamonds, to 4 Stars with a Silver Accolade.
  On Tuesday 10th October 2006, Pete and I attended an Award Ceremony at the Great Hall just outside of Exeter where we were awarded the title of “SOUTH WEST BED & BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR 2006”.  Out of 6 counties (Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall) only 4 Gold awards were given in the bed and breakfast category.  The 4 bed and breakfast Gold Awards were judged again and Fern Cottage was awarded the title of “South West Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2006”.
  September 2006, we were awarded Gold for Gloucestershire from the Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards 2006/2007
 

October 2006 we were also awarded the GOLD award for Green Tourism from the Green Tourism Business Scheme which promotes environmental awareness in businesses associated with leisure and tourism.  It encourages businesses to introduce environmentally procedures and practices such as energy conservation, recycling and ethical purchasing.  We are very proud of this award as we are currently the only accommodation provider in this area to have achieved a Gold! For more details go to www.green-business.co.uk

   

Sue has just completed the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service along with certification of completion for each individual Welcome to Excellence Unit - Welcome Host Certificate, “Welcome All” Certificate, Welcome International, Welcome Line and Welcome Host Plus. 

She has also achieved her Food Safety in Catering Level 2 Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health