Photograph shows, from left to right (front row): Cllr Stuart Hughes (Chairman of East Devon District Council), Ruby Leach, waitress and Nicky Netherway, manager (Clock Tower café), Cllr Cathy Gardner, Cllr Marianne Rixson (Sidmouth ward members), Beckie Anderson, Streetscene apprentice EDDC. From left to right (back row): Alan Fowler, gardener EDDC, Tim Harris, Area Manager East, EDDC, Cllr Matthew Booth and Cllr John Dyson (Sidmouth ward members), Graham Williams, gardener, EDDC.

Connaught Gardens awarded TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

East Devon District Council’s Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth has been awarded a coveted Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, the World’s largest travel website. Consistently outstanding customer reviews given for these wonderful local public gardens, which include the Clocktower Café, by users of the site, has ensured that Connaught Gardens now ranks among the top 10% of hospitality businesses worldwide listed on TripAdvisor.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the past 12 months. Other winners of the award range from one-room bed and breakfast establishments to 6,000 room hotels and Michelin star restaurants, as well as world-renowned parks and museums.

Councillor Iain Chubb, portfolio holder for the Environment at East Devon District Council, said: “Our Streetscene gardeners, as well as local volunteers, do a marvellous job keeping the gardens in tip-top condition. The TripAdvisor award is testament to their hard work and confirms the gardens as a beacon of excellence, not just in the South West but worldwide, which is a remarkable achievement.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Chairman of East Devon District Council, said: "I'm delighted that once again our award winning Connaught Gardens have picked up another accolade, this time from visitors around the world who have taken the time to complete the online TripAdvisor survey. This is a testament to the dedicated work put in by our Streetscene gardeners in making the gardens such a pleasant, peaceful and tranquil area to visit while on holiday or visiting Sidmouth. The friendly staff of the Clocktower Café have also played their part in gaining this award."