A small, independently run holiday park in the tranquil surroundings of the Tamar Valley, near Tavistock, Devon, has seen off its much larger rivals to join the coveted shortlist of three for 'Holiday Park of the Year' in the South West Tourism for Excellence Awards, 2009/10, it is announced today. Competing with more than 300 rival parks from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Woodovis Park (http://www.woodovis.com/ ) is now hoping to take silver or gold at the tourism 'Oscars Night' in November.

Run by John and Dorothy Lewis with a small staff, the 5 star Woodovis Park is described as, "small, safe and peaceful". Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a designated World Heritage Site, the park is on the border of Devon and Cornwall, just a few miles from Dartmoor and within easy reach of the peninsula's north and south coasts. Priding itself on its quiet, safe & friendly environment - as well as facilities normally associated with much larger parks, such as a heated swimming pool , spa pool, sauna and a shop which bakes daily fresh bread, croissants and pain au chocolat - the park serves couples and families in tents, caravans and motor homes. It also offers caravan holiday homes and a holiday cottage.

For the award, Woodovis and its staff demonstrated "outstanding levels of customer service, plus exemplary facilities, along with commitment to sustainability, recycling and the environment and being accessible to all". Alistair Handyside, chairman of South West Tourism, described the result for the three winners as "a great achievement" which shows that "customer care, staff training and continued investment have not faltered but have grown and they are committed to exceeding visitor expectations."

This award comes on the back of a string of recent honours for the park, including "5th Best Park in the UK" as voted by readers of Practical Caravan Magazine earlier this year, and a number of awards from Hoseasons.

Co-owner John Lewis says: "Without a doubt this tops our achievements to date. It reflects the quality of our park and the outstanding contribution that our staff make by going that extra mile for our guests, and endorses our policy that our guests may come to us as visitors but they return as friends."

To celebrate with its customers, Woodovis Park is discounting �20 off all holidays of 7 days or more booked before December 15, 2009.

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Notes for editors

Woodovis Park, near Tavistock, Devon, is in its tenth year of ownership by John and Dorothy Lewis, who started as newcomers to the business. It employs eight staff and is a member of Best of British, a group of 50 independently owned 5 star holiday parks.

Woodovis is one of the smallest parks, if not the smallest park, ever to reach the final three for 'Holiday Park of the Year'.

For further information, please contact:

John Lewis Woodovis Park Tel: 05603 138653 / 07918 907 405 Email: admin@woodovis.com Site: http://www.woodovis.com