The Good Shoot Hotel Awards 2017/18 - The Winners!

The Good Shoot Hotel Awards are designed to find top hotels offering the best hospitality, the warmest welcome, the finest foods and wines and the comfiest beds when travelling the UK to shoot. Choosing the right hotel for your shooting party is key and the 2017/18 awards received hundreds of nominations in what was a very close run competition. We can now announce the top 3 along with your favourite from each region in the UK.

The overall national winner for this years The Good Shoot Hotel Awards goes to The King John Inn at Tollard Royal in Wiltshire.

Named after one of King John’s hunting lodges, it has been serving customers for almost 160 years and now combines both modern styling with traditional features.

Not only does The King John Inn boast some renowned shooting on its doorstep, including the famous Ashcombe Estate but the welcome is second to none and even has its own dedicated shoot co-ordinator, Claire Hurley, who makes it her job to know exactly what her guns require.

Claire revealed that she welcomed 63 shooting parties last year and says: “Our aim is to take care of every need for our guns, welcoming them in the car park on arrival, showing them to their rooms and ensuring that their favourite food and wine is available. We have a semi-private and dedicated area for their dining and our staff are always prepared to stay up as long as the guns do! We really try and build a rapport with all of our guests.”

Second place nationally in the competition, sponsored by award-winning spirit manufacturer Chase Distillery, went to The Victoria Inn at Holkham, Norfolk, while The Five Alls at Filkins in the Cotswolds came in third overall.

The full list of winners is as follows:

1st Place: The King John Inn, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire

Overall winner of The Good Shoot Hotel Awards and also winner of the South-West region.

“Amazing staff, great food very clean and well appointed rooms.”

“They always take the best care of their shoot parties, from start to finish, and the food and wine has never disappointed.”

“Always makes things work for the guns. Really international groups shoot there so it has to be on its game.”

“Fantastic rooms, great food and the perfect place for a great evening after a day’s shooting.”

2nd Place: The Victoria Inn, Holkham, Norfolk

Also winner of the East Anglia region.

“Friendly service in a luxurious hotel with delicious food, dogs also welcomed and looked after.“

“The most amazing place, beautiful surroundings, beautiful food and, to me, the most important thing… amazing staff!”

“Its situation on the edge of the Holkham estate and close to the breathtaking Holkham beach is unrivalled; the perfect location to explore the Norfolk coast. I love its welcoming staff and relaxed atmosphere and the locally sourced food is amazing!“

3rd Place: The Five Alls, Filkins, Oxfordshire

Also winner of the Midlands region.

“Fabulous food, welcoming staff and beautiful bedrooms.”

“Great service. Excellent rooms. Superb food. It has nine bedrooms so perfect for our line-up of guns. Good private area to sit us all.”

“Arrive with the Bentley or the Land Rover and the welcome is the same, great food, proper fire and a proper glass of wine (magnums on the bar) or beer awaits.”

Scotland Winner: Gallanach Lodge, Isle of Muck

“Outstanding views, fantastic food, comfortable beds and excellent shooting, what more could you want?”

Borders Winner: Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, St Boswells, Scottish Borders

“Hotel geared to shooting enthusiasts. Excellent accommodation and game-related menu. Owner is well-established and can arrange a nearby shoot. Also, a stone's throw to Bisley/Braidwood.”

North East Winner: The Talbot Hotel, Malton, North Yorkshire

“A great local B&B, catering to shooting parties and uses the locally shot game, year-round. Rural and hearty, this is a place where you are made to feel truly welcome.”

North West Winner: The Inn at Whitewell, Clitheroe, Lancashire

“Everything a shooting hotel should be. Perfect location, great food, amazing dog friendly bar and excellent accommodation."

Wales Winner: Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa, Llanwddyn, Powys

“Wonderful country retreat with all you could want on a country sports break – shooting, fishing, riding, it's all there for you. Attentive friendly staff and in beautiful countryside. You could not ask for more.”