Red Funnel celebrates the Isle of Wight’s Best at annual awards

Last night, Northwood House in Cowes was alive with celebration as Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards returned for its sixth year. The evening was all about championing the Island’s incredible local tourism businesses, attractions and hidden gems that make the Isle of Wight such a special place to visit and call home. 

A total of 154 businesses entered this year’s awards, with the local community and visitors casting an impressive 52,940 votes to support their favourites. From cosy B&Bs to quirky shops and unforgettable experiences, 50 winners were honoured across 58 awards, with Gold, Silver, or Bronze handed out in categories covering Places to Stay, Things to Do, Food & Drink, and Isle of Woof (dog-friendly).

Standout first-time winners included The Albion (Best Hotel), Hewitt’s (Best Restaurant) and The Christmas Imaginarium (Best Shop), each going above and beyond to provide an exceptional customer experience. 

Gayle Craven, Managing Director at The Albion, said: “We were delighted to have made the finals this year. It took us 18 months and considerable investment bringing The Albion to life, but it was well worth it. Coming to the end of our first full year, the team has done an amazing job delivering an exceptional hotel – a truly 5-star result, which is loved by locals and visitors alike.”

Russell Ince, Author and Illustrator, at The Christmas Imaginarium said: “Making it into the top three at the Isle of Wight Awards was a huge honour for us. We pour our heart and soul into making The Christmas Imaginarium a special place filled with magic and wonder all year round, so to be recognised by the community and customers who make that possible means the world to us.”

Returning for its second year, the Red Funnel Island Tourism Hero Award celebrates individuals or organisations going above and beyond in their efforts contributing to local tourism. The 2025 title was awarded to Benji and Balu and the ‘Bears Project’ undertaken by Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. The team rescued the impressive Brown Bears from a small cage on the side of a restaurant and brought them to live at the sanctuary this year, much to the delight of locals and visitors. Now spending their days splashing around in their very own pool and roaming a spacious new enclosure, the furry brothers have become local celebrities in their own right, even boasting a 24/7 webcam that has generated 2 million views since June. Their incredible journey from hardship to happiness captured hearts across the Island and beyond. Since arriving at their new home, they’ve drawn 90,000 visitors to the sanctuary, earning a large number of public votes to become 2025 Island Tourism Heroes. 

Commenting on the awards, Lee Hudson, Commercial Director at Red Funnel, said: "The Isle of Wight is bursting with brilliant businesses and passionate people who work tirelessly to make the Island a one-of-a-kind destination. From unique places to stay, a delicious bite to eat or an experience you’ll always remember, these businesses bring the Island’s character to life and help it thrive all year round. We’d like to thank everyone who entered, voted and continues to support local businesses across the Island. Hosting the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards each year is a true highlight in our calendar and it’s wonderful to celebrate the creativity, passion and hard work of so many local people."

The winners were selected by a panel of four judges, including Camilla Hewitt from Country & Town House, Christian Warren from Style of Wight Magazine, Amy Summers from Visit Isle of Wight and Lee Hudson, Commercial Director of Red Funnel.

Nominations for the 2026 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards will open in January.

2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards Winners List:

Island Tourism Hero Award 2025
Gold – Benji & Balu, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

Best B&B/Guesthouse
Gold - Sentry Mead
Silver – The St Leonards Guest House
Bronze - The Chequers Inn  

Best Activity Provider 
Gold - The Falconry Experience
Silver - Solent Cruises 
Bronze - Southern Vectis - Breezer Bus Experience    

Best Burger
Gold - The Galley
Silver - The Cow 
Bronze - The Bargeman’s Rest    

Isle of Woof Award 2025
Gold - Luccombe Manor Hotel 
Silver - The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary 
Bronze – The Model Village Godshill 

Best Campsite 
Gold - Retro Staycations 
Silver - The Orchards Holiday Park
Bronze - Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park

Best Island Event
Gold - Walk the Wight 
Silver -The Royal Isle of Wight County 
Bronze - Outcast Pro Wrestling 

Best Cafe/Tearoom
Gold - Fins Beach Cafe 
Silver - Ritchie’s Diner 
Bronze - Salix Beach Cafe 

Best Holiday Cottage/Apartments
Gold - Shanklin Villa Apartments 
Silver - The Piglet 
Bronze - Sunny Beach Holiday Apartments      

Best Large Attraction 
Gold - Wildheart Animal Sanctuary 
Silver – The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Bronze - Robin Hill     

Best Fish & Chips
Gold - Hayden’s Chip Shop 
Silver - Chubby’s Chunky Chip Shop
Bronze - Brothers of Brading     

Best Holiday Park
Gold - Old Mill Holiday Park
Silver - The Orchards Holiday Park
Bronze - Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park    

Best Shop 
Gold - The Christmas Imaginarium 
Silver - Gordy’s Wood Co 
Bronze - Busy Bee Garden Centre     

Best Island Produce
Gold - Woodford Butchers 
Silver - Godshill Orchards  
Bronze - Island Foods Ltd    

Best Hotel
Gold - The Albion Hotel 
Silver - Lucombe Hall Hotel 
Bronze - Seaview Hotel Bar & Restaurant     

Best Small Attraction 
Gold - Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum 
Silver - Snacks & Ladders Board Game Cafe 
Bronze - Dimbola Museum & Galleries     

Best Pub
Gold - The Blacksmiths 
Silver - The Spyglass Inn
Bronze - The Dairyman’s Daughter     

Best Place to go Glamping
Gold - Tom’s Eco Lodge 
Silver - Glamping the Wight Way
Bronze - Retro Staycations 
       
Best Restaurant 
Gold - Hewitt’s Restaurant 
Silver - On the Rocks 
Bronze - The Ocean Deck     
       
Best Roast 
Gold – The Blacksmiths 
Silver – The Chequers Inn 
Bronze - Hewitt’s Restaurant     

-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.