Bosinver Farm Cottages are a unique collection of holiday properties near St Austell, where families enjoy memorable times together in tranquil surroundings, while reconnecting with nature and embracing outdoor life.

The 30 acre site - with 20 individually designed cottages surrounded by nature trails, woodland walks, lakes and meadows - has been a labour of love for owners Pat and Dave Smith since 1998.

Bosinver Farm Cottages progressed from the Cornwall Tourism Awards in November to the South West Tourism Awards – winning Gold each time - to reach this pinnacle of achievement at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which were held at the Sage Gateshead.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are the most prestigious awards in tourism at a national level, celebrating achievements in the sector and promoting healthy industry competition and high standards - helping to ensure England competes as a world-class destination.

After receiving the Gold award in her category, Pat Smith said: "This is so overwhelming and represents a lifetime achievement for us; against such fierce competition it truly is an honour for a small family business to achieve such recognition."

She added: "Family holidays have never been so important and it gives us great joy to see children spending time with their parents and grandparents, exploring, discovering and making amazing memories together."

Lady Cobham CBE, Chairman of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence said: "The competition is of an increasingly high standard and so I offer my sincere congratulations to all our winners on this tremendous achievement, particularly the Gold Award winners for their exemplary contribution to tourism in this country."

In her opening speech she explained: "Visitors are looking for unique, personalised and immersive experiences and we've see the industry embrace this trend."

Bosinver Farm Cottages is clearly an example of this, creating a haven where families can enjoy an enormous variety of activities including camp fire building, nature crafts, pony rides, feeding farm animals and swimming in the solar-heated indoor pool.

Guests can also access some of Cornwall's top attractions within a short drive - including the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan - as St Austell Bay now competes as a holiday destination with the rest of Cornwall.

Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall, gave his views on the award, saying: "Bosinver Farm Cottages is clearly striking exactly the right chord in the current climate, recognising the need for quality family time and nurturing a sense of discovery, adventure and activity."

He added: "I know that Pat, Dave and the team have worked extremely hard, striving to innovate but remaining true to the ethos of sustainability and reconnecting with nature that is at the heart of their business; they are a great example of what Cornwall has to offer as a holiday destination."

For more information on the VisitEngland Awards please visit http://www.visitenglandawards.org/

For further information on Bosinver Farm Cottages please visit http://www.bosinver.co.uk