Fields of Opportunity - British Farmers Rewarded for Contribution to Tourism

cottages4you announces winners of national competition.

A national competition to find the UK farmers who have successfully diversified into tourism has announced the winning holiday lets.

The Fields of Opportunity campaign, launched by cottages4you earlier this year, set out to find Britain's most entrepreneurial farmers who have diversified and created a successful holiday letting business. The entries were judged by a panel which included members of the cottages4you team and the NFU.

The five categories and winners have been announced as:

• Best converted barn holiday let - Ash Farm in North Willingham, owned by Peter Wright

• Best experiential holiday let - Higher Tregawne Barns in Withiel, near Bodmin, owned by John Drake

• Quirkiest holiday let - The Mill House, in Calbourne Water Mill, Newport, Isle of Wight, owned by Tony Chaucer

• Most eco-friendly holiday let - Troutsdale Farm in Blackshaw Moor, near Leek, owned by Barbara Turnock

• Best location holiday let - Tankey Lake Livery in Llangennith, owned by David and Vera Miller

The overall winner was announced as Troutsdale Farm, owned by the Turnock family, which was a dairy farm before the family decided to concentrate their efforts on tourism. Work started to convert the two beautiful sandstone barns, which date back to the mid-1800s four years ago. The family were committed to retaining the character of the properties, including using traditional building methods and materials without impacting on the environment and the natural unspoilt area in which they sit.

Local craftsmen and British suppliers have been used throughout the build process and the Turnock family have pushed boundaries to ensure British-made products have been used throughout, from replacing timber cut from the farm's own wood to sourcing British paint, curtains, bathroom suites, tiles and furniture. A number of eco initiatives have been implemented, including ground source heating, solar panels, rainwater harvest system and the creation of a new wildflower meadow.

Barbara Turnock said: "As a family we felt a great responsibility to ensure the old farm buildings were sympathetically converted, as we were keen to protect the history of the barns as much as possible. We also wanted to continue supporting British farming and give something back, so have used British Wool Thermafleece natural insulation, as well as furnishing the properties with carpets, rugs, throws and mattress liners all made from British Wool."

Simon Law, property director at The Hoseasons Group, which owns cottages4you said: "Holidaymakers are increasingly looking for different types of breaks and so working farms are a great way for families to explore the British countryside and get a taste of rural life. As an agency, we are constantly on the lookout for properties which offer customers something unique.

"Troutsdale Farm really impressed the judges as its green initiatives were head and shoulders above anything we'd seen. Guests staying here get a real sense of being part of the countryside and in completing the conversion, the Turnock family have boosted the community, supporting local businesses wherever they can and providing a unique and special place to stay.

"The standard of entries received has been extremely high. A significant proportion of our property owners are farmers who use holiday letting as a valuable additional source of income and we are committed, through initiatives like this, to showing our support for the farming community."

All the winners will be receiving a voucher for a Virgin Experience day to spend on anything from a driving day at Silverstone to a pampering day at a health spa and as the overall winner, the Turnock family receive a Virgin Balloon Flight.