STAFF and volunteers at Severn Valley Railway (SVR) are celebrating after it was named Best Tourism Experience in the 2013 Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence.

Lisa Smith, assistant visitor services manager, attended as the results were announced at Destination Worcestershire’s Annual Tourism Conference at Stanbrook Abbey in Callow End, near Worcester. She accepted the award, sponsored by Textlocal, on behalf of SVR.

The heritage rail company was awarded the accolade after a representative from Visit Worcestershire visited the railway, along with the other shortlisted candidates.

Ms Smith said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the title of Best Tourism Experience.

“Our volunteers work incredibly hard to make sure a trip on the railway is a great day out for all our visitors.”

Welcoming more than 200,000 visitors a year, SVR is run largely by a dedicated body of more than 1,200 volunteers and operates regular steam-hauled passenger trains along a 16-mile route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

It has six stations along the route, as well as the Engine House at Highley, offering interactive exhibits.

A range of children’s activities and holiday clubs are also run.

Meanwhile, the Best Hotel Award, sponsored by Sixways Stadium, was awarded to the luxury Victorian country house hotel, Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett.

Judges commented that there was an “exceptional” overall hotel experience, with excellent use of locally-sourced food and drink produce and knowledgeable staff that could make educated recommendations of things to see and do.

In the Best Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by Modus Creative, Bewdley Tourist Information Centre was highly commended, while, Menzies Birmingham Stourport Manor was commended.

The winners and highly commended businesses in each category are eligible to go on to enter the VisitEngland Awards.