In your opinion, what is it that makes a great B&B? It has to be about more than how clean the bed sheets are or how close it is to amenities and nearby places of interest, right? Of course it does. Today’s traveller wants a fresh, one-off experience, and there are many great B&Bs across the country that offer intrepid explorers something out of the ordinary. What about somewhere to stay that has a vintage Ford parked in the living room, or a music room complete with a Beatles drum kit? How about a breakfast cooked with fresh organic eggs and vegetables from the farm on your doorstep? The kinds of places you just can’t wait to tell your friends about when you get back from a memorable weekend break – those are the kinds of B&Bs Dorset Cereals wants you to hear about.
Dorset Cereals B&B awards
To champion the growing trend for innovative B&Bs, the Dorset Cereals B&B Awards 2016 will celebrate the country’s most hospitable and interesting places to stay. To inspire anyone who is looking for a great British adventure – or just a great place to spend the night – and reward those B&B owners who go the extra mile, winners will be chosen in the following five categories: Breakfast like no other; A dog’s best friend; Quirkiest character; Friendliest hosts; and Best overall B&B.
Vote for your favourite
The best way to find the UK’s greatest B&Bs is to ask those who have stayed in them to nominate their favourite. That’s exactly what Dorset Cereals did this April and, between June and September, the public will have their say again: voting is open from 1 June to 30 September to find this year’s five winning B&Bs.
This year’s 36 shortlisted contenders have a tough act to follow after the inaugural awards in 2015. If the 2016 nominees are wondering what it takes to win, they’ll need to blaze a formidable trail. All five of 2015’s category winners were full of the character that makes contemporary B&Bs so special, especially the winner for Best overall B&B.
Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset, winner of the “Breakfast like no other” award, produces much of its own food, including organic vegetables, homemade sausages and delicious eggs. In the “Dog’s best friend” category, the Coach House in Norbury makes four-legged friends just as welcome as their owners, with biscuits, a water bowl and a hamper of goodies upon arrival. The gong for “Quirkiest character” went to east London’s flamboyant 40 Winks. It boasts bathroom walls covered in hand painted gold leaf and a music room with a Beatles drumkit, among a host of other curiosities. The proprietors of Nantwen in Pembrokeshire, who send suggestions of things to do before they’ve even welcomed their guests, claimed the “Friendliest hosts” award.
The winner of the Best overall B&B category was Studio Farrows in Somerset, a creative collaboration between artistic partners Tracey Baker and Paul Spencer. A brilliant bed and breakfast offering, its interior is packed with interesting objects and art in every room – including that Ford Anglia in the lounge.
The 2016 champions will share the same passion for innovation, generosity and warmth as last year’s winners, providing an exceptional level of service, an encyclopaedic knowledge of their local area and giving guests a stay to remember.
If you’d like to get involved in this year’s Dorset Cereals B&B Awards, vote for the shortlisted B&Bs on Dorset Cereals’ website.