Leavesden Country Park wins again

Three Rivers District Council’s Leavesden Country Park has won the ‘Small Attraction of the Year’ at the Hertfordshire Tourism Awards 2019. The Country Park had already secured the Herts Sports Partnership Award for Professional Community Project of the Year.

The park owned and run by the council was officially opened in July 2019, after a £1.2 million programme of heritage, environment, arts and community facilities, funded by the Council, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.

This award recognises the value of tourism in the county and its importance in improving people’s quality of life and for the local economy. The awards were devised and launched in 2017 by destination specialists Go To Places - who deliver Visit Herts to reward exceptional standards of customer service and outstanding visitor experiences within the local tourism industry. Visit Herts celebrated ten tourism categories including Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, won by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Large Hotel of the Year, won by The Grove, which are both located within Three Rivers District.

Cllr Sara Bedford, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “I am delighted that the innovation and hard work of Three Rivers, its partners and the local community have secured this award. Three Rivers is a great place to live in and parks such as Leavesden make a huge contribution to people’s quality of life. For those travelling a square mile, they can visit the other award winners in Three Rivers -The Grove and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London too!”

The award included an unannounced visit from a mystery shopper who came to experience the park for a day. Their delight was evident and the presenter noted that the Heritage Trail was very interesting and informative, the play area innovative and a bright warm café welcomed them. Winning this category takes the park to the finals of Visit England’s National Awards for Excellence in June 2020.

Leavesden Country Park has also been shortlisted in the national LGC (Local Government Chronicle) awards in March. These are the biggest celebration of excellence in local government and recognises the teams and individuals making the greatest difference to their communities.

Cllr Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, added: “I am very proud that we have won the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’. This is a great achievement from a District Council. Leavesden Country Park really does have something for everyone to enjoy!”

Deirdre Wells OBE, CEO of Go To Places, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate and honour Hertfordshire’s wonderful tourism businesses at the Visit Herts Tourism Awards. This year’s winners really demonstrate the quality and diversity of the county’s current tourism offering. We are very proud to take a moment to celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all the 2019 winners and nominees!”