THG has been recognised amongst tourism businesses from across the South West region with a Silver award at the prestigious South West Tourism Awards 2017.

Having already been awarded with Gold at the Devon Tourism Awards, the public art gallery went on to take Silver in their category of Access & Inclusivity at the South West Regional Finals.

The awards ceremony took place in the brand new Lansdown Suite at the Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol and was hosted by ITV news presenter Kylie Pentelow with special guest the adventurer Alastair Humphreys.

"We are thrilled to win Silver", said Angela Blackwell, THG Curator. "To be recognised for our access and inclusivity amongst tourism venues from across the whole South West region means a huge amount to us.THG is going from strength to strength, from the successful launch last year of our accessible, community garden, to celebrating our busiest day at the gallery ever with 600 visitors coming to our Museums At Night Halloween event!"                   

East Devon District Councillor and Lead Member for Culture John O’Leary, said:

"We are delighted that THG has won this award. The gallery is a great asset to the region and inspires our community with exhibitions of local and national importance together with with a packed programme of activities and workshops for all the community especially many marginalised and hard to reach groups."

Alison Rice, Chair of the Judges commented:

"Yet again the South West leads the way in tourism excellence. Whatever 2017 throws at this very special region of Britain, tonight’s award winners will excel at what they do best - offering all comers the best possible visitor experiences."

Robin Barker, Director of Services for Tourism Ltd, said:

"Excellence is elusive. It takes creativity, commitment, investment, and persistence to achieve. Standards have to be maintained for every guest, in all situations, at all hours of every day. Achieving excellence is one thing, maintaining it in a world of ever-rising expectations is an even greater challenge.  So well done to all of this year’s winners – you are at the cutting edge of this region’s top industry and are genuine business icons."

As a finalist, THG has also been nominated as a South West representative to apply for the national Visit England Awards, which take place in April this year.