Red Funnel celebrates the Isle of Wight’s Best at annual awards

Red Funnel celebrates the Isle of Wight’s Best at annual awards

Last night, Northwood House in Cowes was alive with celebration as Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards returned for its sixth year. The evening was all about championing the Island’s incredible local tourism businesses, attractions and hidden gems that make the Isle of Wight such a special place to visit and call home.

 

 

A total of 154 businesses entered this year’s awards, with the local community and visitors casting an impressive 52,940 votes to support their favourites. From cosy B&Bs to quirky shops and unforgettable experiences, 50 winners were honoured across 58 awards, with Gold, Silver, or Bronze handed out in categories covering Places to Stay, Things to Do, Food & Drink, and Isle of Woof (dog-friendly).

Standout first-time winners included The Albion (Best Hotel), Hewitt’s (Best Restaurant) and The Christmas Imaginarium (Best Shop), each going above and beyond to provide an exceptional customer experience.

Gayle Craven, Managing Director at The Albion, said: “We were delighted to have made the finals this year. It took us 18 months and considerable investment bringing The Albion to life, but it was well worth it. Coming to the end of our first full year, the team has done an amazing job delivering an exceptional hotel – a truly 5-star result, which is loved by locals and visitors alike.”

Russell Ince, Author and Illustrator at The Christmas Imaginarium said: “Making it into the top three at the Isle of Wight Awards was a huge honour for us. We pour our heart and soul into making The Christmas Imaginarium a special place filled with magic and wonder all year round, so to be recognised by the community and customers who make that possible means the world to us.”

Returning for its second year, the Red Funnel Island Tourism Hero Award celebrates individuals or organisations going above and beyond in their efforts contributing to local tourism. The 2025 title was awarded to Benji and Balu and the ‘Bears Project’ undertaken by Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. The team rescued the impressive Brown Bears from a small cage on the side of a restaurant and brought them to live at the sanctuary this year, much to the delight of locals and visitors. Now spending their days splashing around in their very own pool and roaming a spacious new enclosure, the furry brothers have become local celebrities in their own right, even boasting a 24/7 webcam that has generated 2 million views since June. Their incredible journey from hardship to happiness captured hearts across the Island and beyond. Since arriving at their new home, they’ve drawn 90,000 visitors to the sanctuary, earning a large number of public votes to become 2025 Island Tourism Heroes.

Commenting on the awards, Lee Hudson, Commercial Director at Red Funnel, said: “The Isle of Wight is bursting with brilliant businesses and passionate people who work tirelessly to make the Island a one-of-a-kind destination. From unique places to stay, a delicious bite to eat or an experience you’ll always remember, these businesses bring the Island’s character to life and help it thrive all year round. 

We’d like to thank everyone who entered, voted and continues to support local businesses across the Island. Hosting the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards each year is a true highlight in our calendar and it’s wonderful to celebrate the creativity, passion and hard work of so many local people.”

 

 

The winners were selected by a panel of four judges, including Camilla Hewitt from Country & Town House, Christian Warren from Style of Wight Magazine, Amy Summers from Visit Isle of Wight and Lee Hudson, Commercial Director of Red Funnel.

Nominations for the 2026 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards will open in January.

2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards Winners List:

Places to Stay	Things to Do	Food and Drink	Other
Best B&B/Guesthouse Gold – Sentry Mead   Silver – The St Leonards Guest House   Bronze – The Chequers Inn	Best Activity Provider  Gold – The Falconry Experience   Silver – Solent Cruises   Bronze – Southern Vectis – Breezer Bus Experience	Best Burger Gold – The Galley   Silver – The Cow   Bronze – The Bargeman’s Rest	Isle of Woof Award 2025 Gold – Luccombe Manor Hotel   Silver – The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary   Bronze – The Model Village Godshill
Best Campsite  Gold – Retro Staycations   Silver – The Orchards Holiday Park   Bronze – Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park	Best Island Event Gold – Walk the Wight   Silver -The Royal Isle of Wight County   Bronze – Outcast Pro Wrestling	Best Cafe/Tearoom Gold – Fins Beach Cafe   Silver – Ritchie’s Diner   Bronze – Salix Beach Cafe	Island Tourism Hero Award 2025 Gold – Benji & Balu, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Best Holiday Cottage/Apartments Gold – Shanklin Villa Apartments   Silver – The Piglet   Bronze – Sunny Beach Holiday Apartments	Best Large Attraction  Gold – Wildheart Animal Sanctuary   Silver – The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary   Bronze – Robin Hill	Best Fish & Chips Gold – Hayden’s Chip Shop   Silver – Chubby’s Chunky Chip Shop   Bronze – Brothers of Brading
Best Holiday Park Gold – Old Mill Holiday Park   Silver – The Orchards Holiday Park   Bronze – Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park	Best Shop  Gold – The Christmas Imaginarium   Silver – Gordy’s Wood Co   Bronze – Busy Bee Garden Centre	Best Island Produce Gold – Woodford Butchers   Silver – Godshill Orchards   Bronze – Island Foods Ltd
Best Hotel Gold – The Albion Hotel   Silver – Lucombe Hall Hotel   Bronze – Seaview Hotel Bar & Restaurant	Best Small Attraction  Gold – Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum   Silver – Snacks & Ladders Board Game Cafe   Bronze – Dimbola Museum & Galleries	Best Pub Gold – The Blacksmiths   Silver – The Spyglass Inn   Bronze – The Dairyman’s Daughter
Best Place to go Glamping Gold – Tom’s Eco Lodge   Silver – Glamping the Wight Way   Bronze – Retro Staycations		Best Restaurant Gold – Hewitt’s Restaurant   Silver – On the Rocks   Bronze – The Ocean Deck
		Best Roast Gold – The Blacksmiths   Silver – The Chequers Inn   Bronze – Hewitt’s Restaurant