Best Roast? Best Shop? Best place to go Glamping?

The search for the best of the best on the Isle of Wight starts now.

Public voting has officially opened for the sixth annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards. These much-loved awards shine a spotlight on the businesses that make the Island a unique and unforgettable destination to visit. From cosy places to stay to mouth-watering local eats and unforgettable experiences, 57 awards are up for grabs across 19 awards categories, each of which fall under one of three main sectors: Places to Stay, Food & Drink, and Things to Do.

The awards will also see the return of the ever-popular Isle of Woof award, shining a spotlight on the Island’s top dog-friendly businesses, welcoming four-legged visitors with open arms – and maybe a treat or two. From today (28 April) and continuing until 31st August 2025, Island residents and visitors alike are invited to cast their votes and show their support their favourite tourism businesses. Once the voting window is closed, a panel of impartial judges will review the top three contenders within each category, declaring the gold, silver and bronze winners for each award.

This year's awards have drawn another strong response, with over 140 Island businesses entering for a chance to earn an accolade with 175 award applications. Among them, 24 are newcomers, injecting fresh energy into the competition and shining a light on the Island’s incredible independents.

Notable newcomers include:

•    On the Rocks (Best Restaurant)
•    The Fig Tree (Best Hotel Experience)
•    Dash in the Dark for Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance (Best Island Event)

In addition to the 19 awards now open for public vote, Red Funnel has also announced the return of the Island Tourism Hero Award. First introduced in 2024, the inaugural title was awarded to Paddy McHugh and the Newport Carnival and Community Events Association in its first year, recognising their tireless volunteer efforts, vibrant carnival events, and much-loved family celebration, Riverfest. The awards is a heartfelt accolade dedicated to celebrating individuals or groups who go the extra mile for local tourism and deliver a truly exceptional visitor experience.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said:

“Independent businesses are the lifeblood of the Isle of Wight’s tourism economy and a huge part of what makes the Island so wonderfully different. From unique places to stay and eat to unforgettable experiences, these businesses shape the character of the Island and help it thrive. We’re incredibly proud to run the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards each year – it’s a real highlight for us. The awards are our way of celebrating the passion, creativity and hard work of the people behind these businesses, and of giving back to a community that makes the Island such a special place to live and visit.”

Winners will be announced at an official awards ceremony on the Isle of Wight, scheduled to take place in November later this year.

To cast your vote before 31st August, visit the website, go here: redfunnel.co.uk/awards

To nominate your 2025 Island Tourism Hero, visit the website here: redfunnel.co.uk/tourismhero

The full list of categories for the 2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, are:

Food & Drink
•    Best Burger
•    Best Cafe/Tearoom
•    Best Fish & Chips
•    Best Local Produce
•    Best Pub
•    Best Restaurant
•    Best Roast

Things To Do
•    Best Activity Provider
•    Best Island Event
•    Best Large Attraction
•    Best Small Attraction
•    Best Shop

Accommodation
•    Best BnB/Guesthouse
•    Best Campsite
•    Best Holiday Cottage/Apartment
•    Best Hotel Experience
•    Best Holiday Park 
•    Best Place to Go Glamping

Other
•    Isle of Woof Award 2025
•    Island Tourism Hero Award 2025

-ENDS-
For further information, please contact [email protected] / 02380 382 970

Notes to editors

About Red Funnel
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.  

In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.  

The Company is a founding member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation. Red Funnel is also proud to sponsor and support most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Wight Proms, and Walk the Wight alongside a wide range of other community and niche interest events. 

Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2025, is Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance  
For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk