A Corner of Eden represents the North at the National Finals of The Rural Business Awards.
Luxurious self-catering cottages
Debbie & Richard Greaves, owners of A Corner of Eden’s luxurious self-catering cottages, are preparing to attend the National Final of The Rural Business Awards, which are sponsored by Amazon, after being announced as winners of the Northern finals last October.
A Corner of Eden’s three beautiful holiday cottages in the Eden Valley were chosen as the overall winner of the Northern Region ‘Best Rural Tourism Business’ category overcoming competition from hundreds of other tourism companies. They now go head to head with 5 other tourism providers from around the UK. The judges have cast their votes over an outdoor adventure company, a tourist concierge service and three other holiday cottage businesses.
Host Jules of Escape to the Country & Countryfile
The awards ceremony will be hosted by Jules Hudson, of ‘Escape to the Country’ and ‘BBC Countryfile’ fame and takes place on Thursday 28th February at the beautiful Chateaux Impney in Worcestershire. There are 13 different categories in total, with over 160 finalists attending the glitzy black-tie event.
Strong Cumbrian presence
Cumbria has a strong presence at the awards, with finalists in 5 different categories. Kin Vodka (Best Rural Drink Business), Westmorland Homecare (Best Rural Start Up), Rusland Horizons Landscape Partnership (Best Rural Social Enterprise), Newlands Adventure Centre (Best Rural Recreational Business), and Sassy Property Styling (Best Rural Professional Services).
Renovated derelict farm
A Corner of Eden began in 2005 when Debbie and Richard bought a derelict farm in Ravenstonedale near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. Over the last 13 years they have lovingly converted the old Georgian Farmhouse that sleeps 8, transformed a redundant barn into the eco-chic Angel Barn for 6 complete with luxury wood-fired hot tub and also created the rustic Shepherd’s Cottage which now provides a cosy romantic retreat for two, with a quirky outdoor roll-top bath in the walled garden. Their success is reflected in extremely high occupancy levels, many returning guests and the contribution the business makes to the wider Cumbrian rural economy.
Debbie says: “We are totally delighted to have got this far and can only keep our fingers crossed that our award submission has impressed the judges at the National Final.”
Rural Business Awards
The Rural Business Awards were established in 2014 by Jemma Clifford and Anna Price – two business owners from rural Leicestershire.
The awards aim to recognise businesses operating across the rural sector acknowledging the breadth and depth of opportunity presented by the Great British countryside and celebrating the achievements of our rural businesses.
The Rural Business Awards works with many partner organisations; Amazon are their headline partners for 2018 and the Country Landowners Association (CLA) have been involved since year one, alongside Fisher German, OpenReach, and Ideaology.
Joint Founder Jemma Clifford
Joint Founder of the Rural Business Awards, Jemma Clifford, said;
“Congratulations to A Corner of Eden for being named as a Winner in the North Region of the Rural Business Awards. Owners Debbie and Richard have a real dedication to delivering a wonderful visitor experience for all of their guests. Engaging with the local community, strong sustainability and environmental credentials and a luxury product have all contributed to the success of the business and, of course, to them being winners of the Best Rural Tourism Business Award (North). We all wish them the best of luck at the National Award Ceremony next week.”
To find out more about A Corner of Eden, please visit www.acornerofeden.co.uk.
