National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) has been celebrating the best in UK farm and rural attractions at its annual conference and awards ceremony.
Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire was named Large Farm Attraction of the Year, while the Isle of White’s Tapnell Farm Park topped the Small Farm Attraction of the Year category.
“Over 20 million visits a year are made to UK farm parks, enabling families and school groups to discover more about farming and food, all while having fun,” commented Colin Evans, NFAN Chairman.
“The annual awards celebrate the best farm park cafés and restaurants, the innovators, the customer service champions and the outstanding educators. The judges have found this year’s awards to be the most hotly contested yet.”
UK farm awards hosted by BBC presenter, Carl Jones
The awards dinner, hosted by BBC Radio Shropshire presenter, Carl Jones, was the culmination of NFAN’s three-day annual conference. Over 200 farm park owners and operators took the opportunity to network, share expertise, and discover the latest innovations from suppliers on the trade floor. Delegates also had the chance to visit The Hoo Farm, the British Ironworks Centre & Shropshire Sculpture Park and Park Hall The Countryside Experience, winner of the Education category.
Other winners included Farmer Copleys in West Yorkshire for Best Food & Beverage and Streamvale Open Farm near Belfast which won the Innovation Award for its ‘take a break from revision’ student nights. The initiative has been instrumental in engaging a traditionally hard-to-reach demographic with farming.
Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire was awarded Best Digital Presence for the second year running, while the Best Trade Supplier spot went to Timberplay.
The Day Maker award for customer service excellence was given to Joe Huntly at Puxton Park in Somerset.
“It is a great achievement to be a finalist. The winners and highly commended should feel justly proud in their success,” added Evans.
Sponsors of the event included Lappset Creative and Innovative Leisure.
