The Final(s) Countdown!
Duke’s Lodge Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards Finalist
We’re just so excited – and totally blown away at being awarded a place in the finals of the Suffolk & Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025! Guests staying in Duke’s Lodge at Earsham Park Farm over recent weeks have probably been wondering why Bobbie and Simon haven been going around pinching themselves – it’s such unbelievable news and a real honour to be one of the three lucky Norfolk and Suffolk businesses selected as finalists for the region’s New Tourism Business of the Year award.
With these awards, the selection and judging panels are all top notch professionals from within the region’s tourism and hospitality sector. That alone makes being amongst the ‘chosen ones’ within year 1 of our business such an awesome acknowledgement and reward for all the love and hard work put in to make Duke’s Lodge into the fabulous large house holiday let it is today.
Norwich Castle, here we come!
And now things are really kicking off – as the time has arrived to head to Norwich Castle, all suited and booted (no, that doesn’t mean wellies Simon!) for the prestigious awards night, hosted by TV celebrity David Whiteley.
Nerves are kicking in, but Simon has sort of been here before – when back in 2014 he was voted ‘British Pig Farmer of the Year’. Now at Earsham Park Farm the only porkers in residence are the colourful characters on the walls of the Duke’s Lodge themed bedroom, The Pigsty.
It’s a real shame too that the creative visionary behind all the beautiful décor at Duke’s won’t be making it to the ceremony. The ever-energetic Bobbie has bobbed off across the world on a long planned visit to gather yet more inspiration – this time from the wildlife of the rainforests.
But then journeys are something that Duke’s Lodge is more than familiar with. The renovation of Duke’s Lodge from former farmhouse to the luxury large house holiday hug enjoyed by guests today was both an exciting and challenging one. Likewise, the road to the tourism award finals has been quite a journey too.
First came the form filling… and the nail-biting. But having already applied for and been successful in gaining a 5 Star Award, Gold Award and Silver Green Tourism Award from Visit England in just the first few months of sharing Duke’s Lodge with guests, that was nothing new.
Weeks went by. Guests arrived, departed and left wonderful testimonials behind them.
Then news came. Out of nowhere. Just as Christmas cheer was easing troubled minds. An email laden with glad tidings of great joy landed in Bobbie’s in box.
It appeared that Duke’s Lodge had already jumped through Stage Two hoops by some miracle (not to mention Bobbie and Simon’s tireless commitment to create super-welcoming stays) and was in line for a personal sleepover visit from the judging panel!
Time to ensure that everything from the house and hot tub to the online guest portal was even more than tickety-boo than usual… and then to welcome the rather formidable (on paper) posse of Norfolk and Suffolk tourism and hospitality industry professionals.
This was our opportunity to shine and for them to stay on the border, where country walks in both Suffolk and Norfolk are on offer right from the very doorstep.
So what next?
Only time and the awards ceremony will tell. But whatever the outcome, Duke’s Lodge will come out of the experience as champions – because the success of Duke’s Lodge is not down to us alone. Championing local, sharing the love of the Waveney Valley and supporting visitors and guests to enjoy responsibly and gain an understanding of the countryside, wildlife and farming is at the very heart of the offer.
Located just a stone’s throw from Flint Vineyard, on land strongly connected to history’s famous Baron Bigod and just across the pastures from Fen Farm Dairy and its deliciously crafted Baron Bigod cheese, Duke’s Lodge celebrates farming communities reimagined.
Wish us luck
As a finalist in the Norfolk & Suffolk Tourism Awards 2025, Duke’s Lodge is showcasing so much more than just itself.
We are proud to share and represent the magnificent visitor offer, food producers, activity providers and wonderful market towns of the Waveney Valley.
We hope to be lucky enough to take all that Duke’s Lodge is to the next level and go through to represent our community and our region at the National Finals.
Fingers crossed, eh?
Watch this space.
