The awards celebrate excellence across the industry
Kent businesses have won gold at a prestigious tourism awards ceremony. This year’s Beautiful South Tourism Awards recognising excellence across accommodation, food and drink, attractions, experiences, events, visitor information, unsung heroes, and more.
Kits Coty Glamping in Aylesford was named Glamping Business of the Year for the fourth time. Housekeeping assistant Sarah Anderson also received the Unsung Hero award.
A spokesperson for Kits Coty Glamping reacted to Sarah’s win, saying: “We literally couldn’t do what we do without her, so we are absolutely thrilled for her. She 100 per cent deserves it.”
Go Ape Leeds Castle has been crowned Active & Learning Experience of the Year. Commercial Site Manager at Go Ape Leeds Castle Ali Farmer, said: “We’re so thrilled to get this recognition from the 2025 Beautiful South Awards.
“Our brilliant team works hard to make sure every customer gets the best, most adventurous experience at our brilliant location, and recognition like this one really shows that our hard work is paying off.”
They’ve also swept the awards this year from their seventh consecutive RoSPA Gold Leisure Safety Award to TripAdvisor recognition to ranking top 50 in the Best Companies to work for list last month.
Go Ape was founded in 2002 by Rebecca and Tristram Mayhew. It has grown to have 36 locations across England, Scotland and Wales with thrilling high ropes and forest floor adventures.
A total of 72 awards were presented. Kent also took home gold for Tourism Event or Festival of the Year, awarded to The Dwarves of Steam Gala 2025, hosted by the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden.
The Wedding Venue of the Year gold award was claimed by Chapel House Estate in Ramsgate.
Hever Castle and Gardens received silver in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, while another silver in Glamping was awarded to Mount Ephraim Glamping Pods near Faversham.
Bronze in Restaurant of the Year went to the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden, and Stable Oak Cottages in Maidstone secured bronze for Self-Catering Accommodation.
The bronze award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year was won by Gusbourne – The Nest in Appledore.
Commendations were awarded to the Bison Ranger Experience at Kent Wildlife Trust in Maidstone for Active and Learning Experience of the Year, and to Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey for Business Events Venue of the Year.
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