Press Release
CORNWALL WINS SIX CATEGORIES AT
COAST AWARDS 2012
Thursday 17 May 2012. Cornwall dominated the sixth annual Coast Awards
2012, in association with Joules, by winning six of the 10 category awards.
A firm favourite with Coast readers, Cornish entries were named winners of
‘Best Seaside Holiday Destination’, ‘Best Seaside Attraction’, ‘Best Hotel By
The Sea’, ‘Best Beach Cafe’, ‘Best Seaside Restaurant’ and ‘Best Coastal
Camping or Caravan Site’. And almost half of the South West Coast Path,
which won Joules special award, traces the Cornish coastline.
For the third year running, St Ives held onto its enviable crown as the ‘Best
Seaside Holiday Destination’. Coast readers love the miles of sandy beaches,
the sub-tropical climate, the quaint cobbled town, the special peninsular light
that has drawn artists for generations and the cultural centre it has become as
a result.
The Minack Theatre in Porthcurno captivated Coast readers to vote the
dramatic open-air theatre as their ‘Best Seaside Attraction’. The awe-inspiring
panoramic views of the bay looking out towards Logan Rock and the terrific
shows that are held throughout the summer sets it apart from runners-up
Southwold Pier and Brighton Pier.
Built just three years ago, The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth, a cliff-top retreat for
adults, won ‘Best Hotel By The Sea’ for the second year running. Luxurious
rooms, locally sourced food and great views, plus a breathtaking spa secured
its place as Coast readers’ top choice.
Harbour Lights in Coverack, nominated for its focus on the most local of local
produce; meat from the neighbouring village, homemade artisan bread and
seafood landed on the beach was more than enough for it to be crowned
‘Best Beach Cafe’.
Another winner from St Ives. The Porthgwidden Beach Cafe won ‘Best
Seaside Restaurant’ for its intimate setting, reasonable pricing and great local
seafood menu, not to mention the sea views from Coast’s favourite holiday
destination are unrivalled and uninterrupted.
Quirky and fun, Henry’s Campsite at The Lizard was voted by Coast readers
the ‘Best Coastal Camping or Caravan Site’. Featuring secluded sea view
pitches, surrounded by an array of wild, cultivated and exotic plants, rescued
animals and local art, as well as hosting a three-day acoustic music festival
has earned the family-run site the top spot.
The annual Coast Awards celebrate the people and places that represent all
that is innovative, valuable and exciting around the British coastline.
Coast magazine received a record 40,000 votes from readers across the UK
and, searching for the very best Britain’s coast has to offer, a panel of ten
experts – TV Presenter Ben Fogle, Olympic Sailor Ben Ainslie, Co-founder of
the Seaside Regeneration Campaign Roma Backhouse, Slow Food UK Chief
Executive Catherine Gazzoli, Marine Conservation Society Communications
Manager Richard Harrington, Surf Nation Author Alex Wade, Cool Camping
Writer Jonathan Knight, Hotel Critic Sally Shalam, Visit Britain Director of
Strategy and Communications and Joules Managing Director Tom Joule –
joined Coast Editor Clare Gogerty to nominate those they thought had shone
during 2011.
Celebrity Chef Valentine Warner awarded the winners and runners-up their
prizes at the Coast Awards 2012 ceremony, which was held yesterday in
London.
Coast Editor Clare Gogerty says, “We are delighted to partner with Joules for
another year celebrating British seaside talent. This year the quality of
nominations has been especially strong and this, combined with the massive
voting response from readers, confirms that the visitor experience and lifestyle
to be had by the British coast is one of the best. Congratulations to Cornwall
for an incredible achievement and for being our Coast readers' firm favourite.”
Joules CEO Tom Joule says, “Joules is thrilled to be supporting the Coast
Awards once more and are extremely proud to sponsor the Best Coastal
Path Award, a chance to recognise the fabulous walkways for families up and
down the country. Our coastline and all of its features and characters are
unique to Britain and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate all that is great
about it.”
The winners of the Coast Awards 2012, in association with Joules, are:
Best British Beach
WINNER:
RUNNER-UP:
Woolacombe in Devon
Gwithian in Cornwall
Best Seaside Holiday Destination
WINNER:
St Ives in Cornwall
RUNNER-UP:
St Davids in Pembrokeshire
Best Seaside Attraction
WINNER:
The Minack Theatre in Porthcurno, Cornwall
RUNNER-UP:
Southwold Pier and Brighton Pier
Joules Award For Best Coastal Path
WINNER:
South West Coast Path
RUNNER-UP:
Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail
Best Hotel By The Sea
WINNER:
The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
RUNNER-UP:
St Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
Best Beach Cafe
WINNER:
RUNNER-UP:
Harbour Lights in Coverack, Cornwall
Hive Beach Cafe in Burton Bradstock, Dorset
Best Seaside Restaurant
WINNER:
Porthgwidden Beach Cafe in St Ives, Cornwall
RUNNER-UP:
Fifteen Cornwall in Watergate Bay, Cornwall
Best Water-Sports Provider
WINNER:
Tyf Adventure in St Davids, Pembrokeshire
RUNNER-UP:
Sennen Surfing Centre in Sennen Cove, Cornwall
Best Coastal Camping Or Caravan Site
WINNER:
Henry’s Campsite, The Lizard in Cornwall
RUNNER-UP:
Vintage Vacations on the Isle of Wight
Coastal Hero
WINNER:
RUNNER-UP:
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for Fish Fight
Nicholas Crane for the BBC’s Coast
For full details of the Coast Awards 2012 check out the July issue of
Coast, on sale 28 May.
- ends -
For more information and images please contact:
Robin Invest
Senior PR Manager
Hearst Magazines UK
Phone: 0207 439 5130
Email: robin.invest@hearst.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Coast magazine
Coast magazine celebrates all that is great about the British coastline, whether it be a coastal
walk, a seaside home, the best place to buy a fish supper or where to go rock pooling. It has
a circulation of 40,646 and is edited by Clare Gogerty.