2016-12-12 |
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Farm Attractions Awards Finalists Announced
Farm parks are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK visitor attraction’s market according to research from Visit England. The National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) is at the heart of the industry and celebrates the sector’s champions with its annual awards.
Colin
Evans, NFAN Chairman says;
“With over 20 million
visits annually, farm attractions are one of the success stories
of UK domestic tourism. Our members provide jobs for over 6000
people, and in the rural communities where they are based will
often be one of the largest employers. We welcome hundreds of
thousands of school children a year onto our farms to teach them
about farming and show them where their food comes from.
Last year’s Large Farm Attraction Winner, Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley, Yorkshire receiving their award.
“The NFAN annual awards celebrate the best of the best in the farm attractions sector; the educators and the innovators, the award winning farm restaurants and the customer service champions. We also recognise the key role played by our industry partners, from the architects and designers to play equipment manufacturers with our Trade Supplier of the Year award.”
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at a glittering awards dinner as part of a three day Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Brighton. The annual gathering of farm attraction owners and industry suppliers is the highlight event of the year and includes visits to two nearby farm attractions, trade exhibition and conference.
Full list of 2017 Awards Finalists
Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Over 75,000 visitors)
Sponsored by Regency Purchasing
Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey
Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
The Big Sheep, Devon
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
York Maze, York
Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Under 75,000
visitors)
Sponsored by David Taylor Designs
Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Hall Hill Farm, Durham
Little Owl Farm Park, Worcestershire
Spring Barn Farm Park, East Sussex
Innovation Award
Sponsored by Marsh & Co Insurance
Hasty's Adventure Farm, Essex
Marsh Farm, Essex
Mead Open Farm, Buckinghamshire
Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Best Food and Beverage Award
Sponsored by Booker Wholesale
Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
Thrift Farm, Milton Keynes
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best in Education
Sponsored by Colour Heroes
Barleylands, Essex
Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey
Hall Hill Farm, Durham
Stockley Farm Park, Cheshire
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best Digital Presence
Sponsored by Partners Leisure
Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire
Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield
Day Maker Award
Adam Price - Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Danny Mitchard - 4 Kingdoms, Berkshire
Dee Naylor - Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield
Fran Smith - Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Essex
Graham Barclay - Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucstershire
Jim Thompson - Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Toni Powell - Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best Trade Supplier
Sponsored by NFAN
David Taylor Design, Cornwall
Kids Play Childcare, Milton Keynes
Marsh & Co. Insurance, Leicester
Timberplay, Sheffield
