Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall has received the award for being the Best Visitor Attraction 2017 in the prestigious Coventry & Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards held on Thursday 21 September.
The awards shine a spotlight on the world-class visitor attractions, venues and businesses that make the region one of the country’s leading cultural destinations. The ceremony, held at Coombe Abbey, brought these organisations together to recognise their work and contribution to Coventry and Warwickshire.
Lindsey Armstrong, General Manager for Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall, says, “We are completely delighted to win the award for Best Visitor Attraction 2017. This result reflects the realisation of the King Edward VI School Trustees’ ambitious vision for Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall, the efforts of our remarkable team to deliver an outstanding visitor experience and the amazing role that our volunteers and staff perform in bringing to life the fascinating story of this extraordinary building.”
The region is privileged to have so many outstanding cultural attractions, to be amongst this company and to win this award is absolutely marvellous.”
Tony Bird OBE, Chairman of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall and Chairman of KES Trustees, says, “Our region is immensely rich in heritage properties, history and culture but no place more than Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, which is a world-class cultural attraction.
“We feel extremely honoured to see the efforts of our £2million restoration project of this exciting historic building, where William Shakespeare was educated, recognised in the Coventry & Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards.
“Having opened Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall to the public for the first time in its 600 year history with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, it has fast become the Shakespeare property in Stratford that everyone wants to visit. One only has to read Trip Advisor to see the quality of its attraction and now this significant award is wonderful.”
The judges noted the passion and commitment shown by the volunteers and staff as well as the incredible variety on offer within the experience.
Jo Billings, regional events director for Coventry & Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards, says, "The awards are a fantastic celebration of Coventry and Warwickshire's outstanding mix of cultural and tourism businesses, organisations and individuals. In winning the Best Visitor Attraction award the judges commented that in view of the strength of visitor attractions in Stratford, Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall has done a superb job of positioning itself as a must visit destination."