IT has been a good year for businesses across West Devon as many have been recognised for an assortment of national accolades.

The Dartmoor Partnership is proud to announce that many of their members from accommodation providers to the hospitality sector and visitor attractions have received prestigious awards and nominations. 

In The Sunday Times Food List, Gidleigh Park was awarded first place in the prestigious best restaurant award, and the Moorland Garden Hotel at Yelverton overcame competition to win the Taste Of The West 'best restaurant in the South West' award.

In the Devon Life Food and Drink Awards the Tors Restaurant at Two Bridges has been nominated in the best restaurant/fine dining experience of the year category.

Adam Fox-Edwards, managing director of the Arundell Arms Hotel and restaurant, has seen his business go from strength to strength since being awarded the 'winner of winners' visit Devon award last year.

Bed and breakfasts, self-catering businesses and camping and caravan sites have done well — one small business making a big national impact is Okehampton based Little Widefield Farm Bed and Breakfast; they have been awarded a certificate of excellence by TripAdvisor for scoring 100% on every single one of their customer reviews.

In the British Travel Awards — widely considered to be the 'Oscars' of the travel industry — Chagford based Helpful Holidays has won an acclaimed national award in the best cottage/self catering booking company with between 600 and 2,000 rental units (UK properties) category.

Helpful Holiday's general manager Moray Bowater said: 'We're proud and honoured to have won this award and immensely grateful to all those who took the trouble to vote for us. It's a wonderful credit to our team and home-owners, as well as testament to the level of service and quality of properties offered by Helpful Holidays.'

Members in the camping and caravan sector have declared a number of success stories too. Chris and Jan Patrick of Woodland Springs Touring Park near Drewsteignton have been upgraded by the AA to a five-pennant site this September and they are awaiting news from the Loo of The Year Awards too, where they anticipate an upgrade from last year's five star rating to a platinum award.

Most notably however, Woodland Springs were nominated by the 2013 Caravan Talk Awards as one the UK's top five finalists in the best UK campsite category.

At Peter Tavy, Harford Bridge Park has achieved a special distinction award in the British Holiday and Home Parks Association for their efforts to regenerate Harford House and its beautiful garden. The distinction is in addition to their 16th David Bellamy Gold Award for conservation and land management.  

Caroline Webster, CEO of The Dartmoor Partnership, said: 'Dartmoor competes with some of the most established destinations in the country for that increasingly hard to get "visitor" spend.

'These awards highlight the diversity and excellence that Dartmoor offers to both visitors and locals alike, qualities which are guaranteed to encourage repeat business as well as providing independent acknowledgement which will help in attracting new visitors to the area.'