Stover Country Park wins Silver at Devon Tourism Awards

Staff and volunteers at Stover Country Park and Local Nature Reserve are celebrating winning a Silver Award at the 2020 Devon Tourism Awards.

Stover Country Park, which is owned by Devon County Council, received the prestigious award in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award category, announced at an online ceremony yesterday (Thursday 11 March).

The 114 acre park and nature reserve near Newton Abbot is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to an extensive network of level and wide footpaths which enable visitors to explore its woodland, heathland, grassland, lake and marsh. It also has a Tramper all terrain mobility scooter available for hire at the site under the Countryside Mobility South West Hire scheme.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This award is thoroughly deserved and congratulations must go to all of the staff and volunteers who have made this success possible. A lot of hard work goes into ensuring that Stover is accessible and inclusive for all and I’m sure everyone involved with the park will be extremely proud that their commitment has been recognised through this achievement. Ensuring that as many people as possible can enjoy the park and nature reserve for their health and wellbeing has never been more important than now with the ongoing pandemic, so I would like to express my thanks to everyone at Stover for their continuing dedication.”

Councillor George Gribble, County Councillor for Bovey Tracey Rural, said: “I agree entirely that this wonderful facility is enjoyed by very many people. It is such a valued and respected park which is appreciated by everyone, and many thanks are due to those who work so well to keep it so. The award is therefore very welcome.”

An extended ten-month programme was carried out by the Devon Tourism Awards to make the 11th year of the competition possible.

Sally Everton, General Manager of VisitDevon, said: “The Devon Tourism Awards has showered some positivity on what has been the most challenging year for so many tourism businesses across Devon. With some definite light now at the end of what has been a very gloomy tunnel, it is a huge boost to the tourism industry to have something as prestigious as these awards to celebrate.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added: “After an extraordinary year it’s so good to spread good news. Winner reactions on the day included comments such as “thanks for spreading seeds of joy” and “we all work in the happiness business”. Hear Hear to that!”

For more information go to www.devontourismawards.org.uk