Shining a spotlight on the Isle of Wight’s Best: Red Funnel’s annual awards celebrate local excellence

Shining a spotlight on the Isle of Wight’s Best: Red Funnel’s annual awards celebrate local excellence

On Thursday 7th November, Red Funnel held its 5^th annual Isle of Wight Awards at Northwood House in Cowes, recognising the local businesses that make the Isle of Wight a wonderfully different place to live and visit. The prestigious celebration honoured the contributions of businesses which shape the Island’s distinctive character and bring exceptional experiences to residents and visitors alike.

 

 

Through a community-driven voting process, visitors and locals had the opportunity to vote for their favourite Island tourism businesses across 19 award categories, which featured places to stay, places to eat, things to do, and the acclaimed Isle of Woof award. In total, 57 businesses were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze on the night for their contribution to Island tourism, showcasing the variety of exceptional experiences the Isle of Wight offers visitors .

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, presented the awards last night and expressed heartfelt congratulations to all the winners:

“It’s always an honour to be among such talented and dedicated leaders in the Isle of Wight’s tourism industry. At Red Funnel, we’re proud to support this community by celebrating the people and excellence behind so many fantastic businesses. My congratulations go to every business nominated – they are what makes this Island so special.”

This year’s winners included both previously decorated businesses and 22 exciting newcomers to the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, including the well-known Southern Vectis – Breezer Experience, Busy Bee Garden Centre and The Model Village Godshill to name but a few.

New to the Isle of Wight Awards in 2024, Eddie’s Surf Academy picked up Gold in the Best Activity Provider category – a sparkling debut for this independent business. Speaking on award win, Saide Cole, from Eddie’s Surf Academy, said: “Being nominated and winning an award is a testament to the amazing support system we have. Thank you to everyone who has believed in us and helped us along the journey”

 

 

Previous winners of the Best Pub and Best Burger awards, this year The Blacksmiths took home Gold in for Best Roast, adding another award to their impressive accolades. Rachel Burrow, from The Blacksmiths, said: “We are elated to win gold for the new Roast dinner category. We feel honoured to be amongst other high flying businesses. We would like to thank everyone who has voted for us.”

For those hoping to be at next year’s ceremony, nominations for the 2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards will open on Thursday 14^th November.

The full list of this year’s winners can be found here.

2024 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards Winners List:

Accommodation	Food & Drink	Things To Do	Other
Best Holiday Cottage/Apartment Gold – Shanklin Villa Apartments Silver – The Piglet Bronze – Winkle Cottage	Best Burger Gold – The Cow Silver – Bargeman’s Rest Bronze – Alamo Bar and Grill	Best Activity Provider Gold – Eddie’s Surf Academy Silver – Southern Vectis Breezer Experience Bronze – Island Gems Fossil Trips	Isle of Woof Gold – The Model Village Godshill Silver – Luccombe Manor Bronze – Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Best Place to go Glamping Gold – Turney Family Farms Silver – Island Bell Tents Bronze – Under the Stars Shepards Huts at Harbors Lake	Best Café or Tearoom Gold – Blueberrys Cafe Silver – Ritchie’s Diner Bronze – Beach Cafe 34	Best Island Event Gold – Walk the Wight (Mountbatten) Silver – Isle of Wight Takeover Bronze – Riverfest (Newport Carnival & Community Events Association)
Best Hotel Experience Gold – Luccombe Hall Silver – The Royal Hotel Bronze – The Seaview Hotel	Best Fish & Chips Gold – The Spyglass Inn Silver – Corries Cabin Bronze – Chipmunks	Best Small Attraction Gold – Snacks and Ladders Silver – Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum Bronze – Monkey Haven
Best B&B/Guesthouse Gold – Sentry Mead Silver – Inglewood Guesthouse Bronze – The Chequers Inn	Best Restaurant Gold – Heron Silver – The Garlic Farm Bronze – The Yarbridge Inn	Best Large Attraction Gold – Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Silver – Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Bronze – Blackgang Chine
Best Campsite Gold – Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park Silver – The Orchards Holiday Park Bronze – Waverley Park Holiday Centre	Best Pub Gold – The Dairyman’s Daughter Silver – The Spyglass Inn Bronze – The Blacksmiths	Best Shop Gold – Busy Bee Garden Centre Silver – Medina Bookshop Bronze – Jurassic Jim
Best Holiday Park Gold – Old Mill Holiday Park Silver – The Orchards Holiday Park Bronze – Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park	Best Local Produce Gold – Island Foods LTD Silver – Briddlesford Farm Bronze – The Garlic Farm
	Best Roast Gold – The Blacksmiths Silver – The Chequers Inn Bronze – The Bay Vegan Deli & Coffee House