A bed and breakfast in York has been crowned the best accommodation of its kind in England.
Visit England’s Awards for Excellence have returned for their 35th year, celebrating the best tourism industry businesses in England, including B&Bs, hotels, holiday lets, restaurants, pubs and more.
The winners are celebrated for their quality, innovation and exceptional customer service.
Visit England has named three bed and breakfasts or guest houses that fit the bill, awarding them as the best of their accommodation type in the country.
The first-place prize was awarded to MonkBridge House in York, a family-run guesthouse just a 10-minute walk from York Minster.
Built in 1864, the house was once home to prominent merchants and two Lord Mayors, but now receives guests in its eight refurbished rooms, some of which look out towards the Minster or River Foss.
Inside, the house has retained its Victorian charm with modern amenities, such as new showers, air filtration systems and underfloor heating.
One room has a French oak four-poster king-sized bed, while the rest have standard beds that range from twin, double and triple rooms, all with en suites.
England’s tourist board awarded second place to One Drake Road guest house in Tavistock, Devon, that once stood as an 18th-century inn but now makes for a quirky and extravagant stay.
The main house has six bedrooms and a large drawing room, accompanied by five private apartments, all of which are steps away from the town square.
Every room has a bold colour palette from bright magenta and mustard paint, trinkets and knick-nacks covering each surface, clashing bedspread and cushion patterns, and stone and wooden feature walls.
In third place was Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast in Norfolk, tucked away in landscaped gardens, offering rooms in its 18th-century building and a shepherd's hut at the foot of the garden.
The country cottage-themed rooms include doubles with upholstered bedheads, en suites, air conditioning, and smart TVs.
Breakfast is served for guests in a garden conservatory, made with ingredients from local suppliers, while guests in the shepherd's hut also have access to a kitchen to make lunch and evening meals.
Visit England Director Andrew Stokes said: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.
“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”
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