Designed to celebrate the best our county has to offer, you voted in your thousands and we are delighted to present the winners of the inaugural Essential Surrey Awards...
1. Best High Street
🏆 Guildford High Street
Congratulations to Guildford, which scooped both the Best High Street and the Best Town Centre Awards.
2. Best Choir
🏆 Elmbridge Ladies Choir
The Cobham-based choir’s mission is “to bring women together from all walks of life who all share the same passion – singing”. The choir performs at several venues and has raised more than £175,000 to support local charities. New members always welcome.
Congratulations to the runners up: VoiceRox; Reigate, Earthly Voices; Cobham, Vivace Chorus; Guildford.
3. Best Beauty Salon
🏆 Nouvelles
Offering a mix of hair, beauty, nails, spa treatments and much more is Nouvelles in Epsom. Rated by customers for its “lovely environment and lovely staff” – our readers voted it the best!
Congratulations to the runners up: Sally Adam; Cobham, Champneys; Guildford, In Harmony Spirit and Balance; East Molesey, Beauty Star; Woking.
4. Best Independent Travel Agency
🏆 Greenstar Travel
For nearly 30 years, this Claygate company has been helping customers find the destination of their dreams. Led by director Martyn Fisher, the expert team is always ready to offer help and advice whether you are looking to cruise the Med or explore the Arctic.
Congratulations to the runners up: Iceland Traveller; Thames Ditton, All Ways Travel; Banstead, Travel Dream; Bramley, Symphony World Travel; Fetcham
5. Best Independent Fashion Retailer
🏆 Buba
This Hampton Court-based luxury accessories retailer prides itself on its belief that “women should feel empowered by their wardrobe and never sacrifice style for comfort”. Our voters obviously felt the same.
Congratulations to the runners up: Jessica Rea Millinery; Ewell, Quattro Rish; Reigate, Bernard Boutique; Esher, Moffats; Guildford.
6. Best Home & Gift Retailer
🏆 Nest
Blending café culture with a top-notch range of antiques and home accessories, Nest in Ripley is one of the area’s standout retailers. Fans of its friendly atmosphere and warm buzz are legion – hence it has found its way to the top of our poll.
Congratulations to the runners up: Belle Epoque; East Molesey, Lemon Tree; Bansted, Neptune; Guildford, Evie Loves Toast; Cobham.
7. Best Home Improvement Provider
🏆 Just Shutters
You can expect a warm welcome and plenty of expert advice from Simon and Georgina Broadhurst at Just Shutters, Surrey’s bespoke shutter specialists. Based in Weybridge, this dynamic duo has forged a business that has proved very popular with voters.
Congratulations to the runners up: Lordons & Lawsons, Turners Plumbing & Heating.
8. Best Amateur Theatre Company
🏆 The Nomad Theatre
This East Horsley arts base has been providing top quality theatre since 1934. Chairman Andrew Hamel-Cooke said: “We are thrilled to have won this. We are very proud of our theatre. It’s here for the community from those who take part in those who run our pensioner lunch club. It’s wonderful to be noticed and a privilege to be part of such a team.”
Congratulations to the runners up: Leatherhead Operatic Society, DDOS, Cobham Players.
9. Best Sports Club
🏆 Colets Health & Fitness
Colets Health & Fitness, Thames Ditton was voted top of the league by readers. As well as offering access to squash, swimming and an array of classes, Colets is very family-friendly too and there’s a top-notch café where you can relax after all that exercise.
Congratulations to the runners up: Sandown Sports; Esher, David Lloyd; Woking, The Pavilion; Woking.
10. Best Local Place to Stay
🏆 Woodlands Park Hotel
Originally the home of Bryant & May match king William Bryant, this country house hotel is located in the picturesque setting of Stoke D’Arbernon. Described by visitors as “amazing”, “classy” in a “great location” with “polite staff”, it has certainly proved popular with our voters! n Visit: handpickedhotels.co.uk
Congratulations to: Craven House; Hampton Court, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, April House; Weybridge, Burford Bridge; Dorking.
11. Best Pet-focused Business
🏆 Bruce’s Doggy Daycare
Well done to the crew at the Cobham-set pet care centre. Bruce said: “This is wonderful news. We are delighted and honoured. Nothing beats being voted the best by our customers. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us. And a big thank you to Bruce’s Doggy Day Care team who look after our four-legged friends so fabulously!”
Congratulations to: Derby Equestrian Store; Epsom, Molesey Pets & Aquatics, Catskingdom, Vanity Fur; Oxshott.
12. Best Family Attraction
Oliver Dixon Oliver Dixon - www.olliedixon.co
🏆 Bocketts Farm
Bocketts Farm was named Best Family Attraction. The working farm has been providing outdoor fun since 1992, offering youngsters the chance to get hands-on while they play.
Congratulations to the runners up: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, The Magic Garden; Hampton Court, Alice Holt; Farnham.
13. Best Festival
🏆 International Youth Arts Festival Kingston
Now in its 11th year, the IYAF is the biggest youth arts celebration in the UK and a testament to the talented people of Kingston. Featuring work from budding creatives from across the arts spectrum, the festival runs from Jul 5-14 and features 155 events across 17 venues.
Congratulations to: New Music Fest; Reigate, Leatherhead Drama Festival, Guildford Book Festival, Banstead Arts Festival.
14. Best Children’s Summer Activity
🏆 Mega Days Holiday Clubs
Best Children’s Summer Activity was scooped by Mega Days Holiday Clubs which runs at the Hawthorns School in Bletchingley. Children are given the opportunity to participate in a huge range of fun activities from water sports to roller skating.
Congratulations to the runners up: Aqua Sports Holiday Camp; Redhill, Wild Learning; Godalming.
15. Best Day Out
Fireworks at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Preview Evening, 2nd July 2018.
🏆 Hampton Court Palace
The stunning Hampton Court Palace, which secured the top spot in the Best Day Out category. The former home of Henry VIII hosts various events throughout the year including the popular Flower Show and Music Festival, as well as boasting stunning gardens, riverside views and a fantastic play park.
Congratulations to the runners up: RHS Wisley; Woking, Polesden Lacey; Dorking, Brooklands Museum; Weybridge.
16. Best Community Initiative
🏆 Reigate & Banstead Writes
This wonderful competition designed to give young writers a storytelling platform is the brainchild of Warwick School librarian Kay Hymas. You can read the stories of this year’s winners at warwick.surrey.sch.uk.
Congratulations to the runners up: Merstham Community Facility Trust, Sunbury Community Health.
17. Best Spa
🏆 Pennyhill Park & Spa
Boasting a state-of-the-art fitness suite, 23 relaxing treatment rooms, nail bar and nutritious dining in the Themis restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, it’s no wonder our readers named Pennyhill Park & Spa in Bagshot as Best Spa.
Congratulations to the runners up: Brooklands Hotel & Spa; Weybridge, Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa; Redhill, Grayshott Health Spa; Hindhead.
18. Best Hair Salon
🏆 The Vault Hair & Spa
A cut above the rest is Esher-based The Vault Hair & Spa. Founded by brother and sister David and Lynsey Baker, the salon has found international acclaim thanks to the work of its talented stylists who have been finalists in the British Hairdressing Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Congratulations to: Millie Jones; Farnham, Olivia Rose; Claygate, Mary Ann Weeks; Walton-on-Thames, Leo Bancroft; Weybridge.
19. Best Museum/Gallery
🏆 Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum in Weybridge beat off stiff competition from Watts Gallery, Haslemere Museum, The Sunbury Embroidery Gallery and New Ashgate Gallery to claim the crown in the Best Museum/Gallery Category.
20. Best Sunday Roast
Yasmin Bailey
🏆 The Cricketers
Situated on a quintessentially English common, this Cobham pub and brasserie certainly proved a big hit with the Surrey Sunday lunch brigade. Three meats are on offer each week: Cornish beef, free-range chicken and outdoor reared Lincolnshire pork, all served with an array of fresh veg and best of all a ‘bottomless’ jug of gravy.
Aside from the produce, diners are quick to praise the ambience and service, as well as the variety of dishes on offer. But it would seem nothing can trump the roast beef, which is described time and again as “beautifully cooked”, “superbly tender” and “excellent”. You can’t say fairer than that.
Congratulations to runners up: The Running Mare; Cobham, The Dog and Duck; Outwood, The Wheatsheaf; Esher, The Seahorse Pub & Restaurant; Shalford.
21. Best Fine Dining
🏆 The Ivy Brasserie Cobham & The Ivy Castle View, Guildford
Surrey is spoiled when it comes to fine dining, but the arrival of these two offshoots from the prestigious West Street restaurant in central London has really caught the imagination of residents. The eateries, which feature super-cool, art deco-inspired interiors, both offer attentive service as well as a wide range of dishes, wines, champagnes and cocktails, not to mention a great atmosphere.
Pedro Nunes, operations manager at The Ivy Collection said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Best Fine Dining Award for both The Ivy Castle View and The Ivy Cobham Brasserie. Our team members work hard to ensure diners leave having had the best possible experience, whether they are popping in for breakfast or a celebratory dinner. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the year has in store in both Cobham and Guildford.”
Congratulations to runners up: The Clock House Restaurant; Ripley, Mezzet Dar; East Molesey, Sorrell; Dorking, Indian Zest; Sunbury.
22. Best Cup of Coffee
🏆 Eight on the River
This café which is situated in the clubhouse at Molesey Boat Club turns out to be something of a hidden gem. Open seven-days-a-week, it boasts a very tasty menu that includes ‘Creamy Pan-fried Mushrooms on Toasted Sourdough’ and a ‘Passion Storm’ fruit smoothie packed with passion fruit, guava, aloe vera, papaya, peach and pineapple. The café is popular with families, dog walkers, runners, cyclists and of course, rowers – but its standout feature for our readers was the coffee. Supplied by Traders Coffee Bay in Surbiton, the beans are roasted by Jason and Eric who between them have more than 50 years’ experience in the coffee business.
Congratulations to runners up: Coffee Culture; Guildford, The Stone House Vinyl Café; Reigate, Canela Cafe; East Molesey, Pinnocks; Ripley.
23. Best Local Producer
🏆 The Game Larder
Well done to The Game Larder in Claygate, voted the winner of the Best Local Producer category. The butchers which have served the community for several decades began life selling a range of game before extending its repertoire to include a wide selection of meats, cold cuts and cheese. Now it runs a fully-fledged deli service, holds themed weeks throughout the year and offers tips on meats to suit certain dishes or occasion.
Fans of the shop credit it not only with providing tip-top produce but also offering, “first-class service”, with several stating that they would never “shop anywhere else”.
Congratulations to runners up: Priory Farm; Nutfield, Ben’s Butchery; Epsom, Farnham Community Farm, Paull’s Fruit & Veg; Thames Ditton.
24. Best Breakfast
🏆 Parade & Albany
What could be better than starting the day with a Full English or Full Veggie from this popular eaterie? A relative newcomer to the Claygate café club, it nevertheless secured plenty of votes for its locally sourced fayre, which includes Surrey Hills sausages, salmon from fishmonger Williams & Bunkell and Cavan Bakery bread.
Owner Sonia says the aim of the café was to create a family-friendly atmosphere where people could relax, bring the children and even the dog. Cakes and pastries are all homemade as is the P&A’s signature dish, ‘Bloody Mary Beans’ – which, according to Sonia, is made with a “secret pimped-up sauce”.
Congratulations to runners up: The Pilot’s Hub; Redhill, Dish; East Molesey, The Speckledy Hen; Shamley Green, Guildford, The Snooty Fox; Shalford.
25. Best Environmentally-Friendly Business
🏆 Born From Necessity
It may only have opened its doors seven months ago, but this zero-waste store in East Molesey has already left quite the mark on the surrounding community. Simply bring your jars, containers and bags; fill them with your choice of more than 100 organic, loose products (all locally sourced) then weigh and pay. Started by husband and wife team Jess and Louise Rugeris, from a desire to show how small changes in shopping habits really do stack up, Born From Necessity is proof that environmentally sound, community-focused and fairly-priced shopping really is possible.
“We are thrilled to have been nominated for, let alone win, this category. Our shop opened in November and it is so rewarding to know that we have made such a positive impression on our community in that short space of time. Now to target the rest of the UK.”
Congratulations to runners up: The Food Float, Keep, The Wise House, Greenwise.
26/27. Best Cycle Route & Best Surrey Walk
©National Trust Images/John Mil
Cyclists at Box Hill, Surrey.
Cyclists at Box Hill, Surrey.
🏆 Box Hill
It’s a double win for Box Hill, the county’s go-to for outdoor activities. And it’s no surprise as to why. Made famous during the 2012 Olympics, cyclists of all levels have tested their pedal power on the 2.5km incline (which averages 5 per cent) of zig-zag road. For walkers, trails that take in rare chalkland and wildlife-rich habitats combined with viewpoints such as Juniper Top and Salomons’s Memorial; idyllic picnic spots including Donkey Green and the iconic Stepping Stones, are a draw throughout the year. The uniting hub for both bike riders and hikers is The Box Hill Café. Conquer well-earned appetites with the freshly made soups and scones served in a peaceful herb garden.
“The whole team here are thrilled to have won these awards. Box Hill is such a beautiful place and we are honoured to be in a position to share it with so many visitors.” - Andrew Wright, National Trust Countryside Manager, Box Hill.
Visit nationaltrust.org and surreyhills.org for trails and cycling routes.
Congratulations to the runners up: Newlands Corner, St Martha's Hill, Leith Hill.
28. Best Local Maker
🏆 Oorla Morgan Jeweller
Understated elegance. Unique. Timeless. When it comes to jewellery that ticks every box, it would seem you all agree Oorla Morgan is the maker to go to. Oorla has been making quality pieces for nearly a decade when, disillusioned with the mass-produced accessories on offer, she decided to try her hand at making her own collection, herself. The rest is history – her jewellery, inspired by the texture, pattern and colour of the natural world and produced using traditional silversmithing techniques, is stocked by the National Trust and galleries around Surrey. Workshops also available, on request.
“I am absolutely over the moon to have won this award. To receive recognition for my work from the people who buy it is the biggest compliment and really does mean the world to me.”
Congratulations to runners up: Sarah Chatterton, LittleBean, Fire & Iron, Jam Packed.
29. Best Arts & Craft Fair
Hannah Ridler
🏆 Festival of Crafts, Farnham
Back in 2013, Farnham was made the UK’s Craft Town so it seems fitting that the winner of this category should take place in Farnham.
This year, the Festival of Crafts held at Farnham Maltings will celebrate its 23rd year with a two-day showcase of almost 100 of the UK’s finest creators. Expect making techniques both modern and traditional; crafts ranging from felting to screen printing, ceramics to glasswork and photography. If it’s unique gifts or investment artwork you’re after – you’re sure to find it here.
This year’s Festival of Crafts will take place on October 26-27.
“It’s wonderful to be recognised with this award. The Festival is just one event within our wider programme of opportunities at the Maltings. We’re extremely proud to be a part of the Farnham Craft Town community.” - Gemma Curtis, Craft Programme Coordinator
Congratulations to the runners up: The Crafters’ Market & The Handmade Festival.
30. Best Outdoor Venue
The Country Garden in Summer at RHS Garden Wisley.
🏆 RHS Garden Wisley
World-class horticulture, one of the largest plant collections globally and 240 acres of diverse gardens to explore; it’s no wonder that RHS Garden Wisley continues to attract millions of visitors every year. Enjoy bold coloured borders in spring, roses in abundance come summer and displays of crocus and snowdrops through autumn and winter, before browsing the extensive and famously A-Z categorised plant shop for plants to take home.
“It’s an exciting time for us at RHS Garden Wisley; from 10 June 2019, visitors will be greeted on arrival by a historic new landscape, featuring more than 250 native trees and a colonnade avenue of cherry trees that leads into a specially-designed ‘Welcome’ building with an airy entrance hall, new retail space, café, restaurant and improved facilities. Now is the perfect time to rediscover Wisley.” - Belinda Betts, Head of RHS Garden Wisley
Congratulations to runners up: Painshill Park, Claremont Landscape Garden, Hatchlands Park, Alice Holt Forest.
