A special page to commemorate our VisitEngland ROSE Award presentation on 10 September 2025
Rhydd Barn won a 2025 VisitEngland ROSE Award for accommodation quality in Recognition Of Service Excellence, a special award given to just 100 establishments each year across all types of accommodation. The award is in recognition of hosts who go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. The awards winners are selected on a range of feedback including the annual VisitEngland quality assessment, customer feedback direct to VisitEngland, online customer reviews, and service innovations that set the winners apart.
The event took place in the Post Barn, Old Oxford Road, Newbury, a beautiful English oak barn where trail-blazing technology meets contemporary architecture. Sharon Yelding, who looks after the Barn, and I attended the ceremony.
We were given a celebratory afternoon tea beginning with a drinks reception at midday. We sat at round tables, a mixture of representatives of all types of holiday accommodation including holiday lets and hotels. It was very interesting to talk to the other people. Many had travelled long distances to get there.
The presentations were very well organised: some people were given their award before the tea, some after the savouries and another group after the cakes. The food was attractively presented.
Lady Victoria Borwick, VisitEngland Chairman, presented the awards, greeting us individually as we came onto the platform. Simon Numphud, Managing Director of VisitEngland Assessment Services, read out our names and a photographer captured the moment.
Afterwards we all gathered on the steps outside for a group photograph.
I stayed overnight at the nearby Donnington Grove Hotel which I can thoroughly recommend. The friendly staff went out of their way to look after me.
Links
Press release: Winners of VisitEngland’s 2025 ROSE Award announced https://www.visitbritain.org/news-and-media/industry-news-and-press-releases/winners-visitenglands-2025-rose-award-announced
The Post Barn, Snelsmore Common, Newbury, Berks., RG14 3AL https://www.thepostbarn.co.uk/
Donnington Grove Hotel, Newbury, Berks., RG14 2LA https://donnington-grove.com/