BERKELEY Castle, Gloucestershire has won one of the prestigious 2014 Hudson’s Heritage Awards which were announced at a lunch reception on Tuesday 18 February at Goldsmiths Hall in London.

Berkeley Castle was highly commended in the Best Eating Out category. The awards, which were established in 2011, are an independently judged annual national awards scheme open to historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage sites and celebrate the very best heritage experiences.

The 11 categories reward a range of visitor experiences and recognise the best heritage attractions in the whole of the UK. Winners and Highly Commended were awarded in each category.

The awards were presented by Loyd Grossman OBE and attended by 80 guests including owners and managers of the winning entries, representatives of the heritage tourist industry and the media.

The lunch was hosted by the independent judging panel of heritage experts: Chairman Norman Hudson OBE, heritage consultant; Lucinda Lambton, writer and broadcaster; Jeremy Musson, architectural writer; and Simon Foster, consultant to Channel 4’s Country House Rescue.

The sponsors were Smith & Williamson, Spear’s magazine, the Whetstone Group, Peel Heritage and Signpost hotel guide. Sarah Greenwood, publisher of market leading guide, Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens said “We are delighted to announce our Hudson’s Heritage Awards winners today at heritage attractions all across the UK from the Isle of Skye down to Cornwall.

These awards lead the way in gaining public recognition for some of the best experiences to be enjoyed in the UK. All our winners give their visitors great experiences from days out to wedding days and we, at Hudson’s, are immensely proud to help celebrate what makes heritage places such a pleasure and such a vital part of our culture”.

Charles Berkeley, owner of Berkeley Castle said “We are absolutely delighted to have been highly commended in the 2014 Hudson’s Heritage Awards. It is testament to the high standards and commitment to excellence we offer our visitors to ensure they have the best possible experience. Receiving this award is a wonderful acknowledgment and recognition that Berkeley is among the best heritage attractions in the UK”.

Loyd Grossman congratulated Berkeley on their award, commenting “Berkeley has come up with an innovative unusual solution for their tearoom in a 40 foot yurt – now the largest in the county!”