SoGlos is delighted to reveal the winners of the seventh annual Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards — the biggest celebration of the county's lifestyle sector, which took place at The Sub Rooms on Thursday 16 May 2024.
This year's exciting awards event brought finalists, category partners and special guests together in Stroud to unveil the winners across all 19 categories, as well as who had been crowned overall Lifestyle Business of the Year by headline partner, Pro Global.
The competition was fierce, with a record 250 businesses shortlisted; over 22,000 votes cast by SoGlos readers and only the top contenders in each category being recognised as finalists; and the winners and highly commended businesses chosen by a panel of judges, made up of representatives from Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards category partners.
All finalists were invited to celebrate their success at The Sub Rooms, with welcome drinks and food provided by the venue. With special thanks to event partner PR Production Services, compere Steve Knibbs and the SoGlos team for making the magic happen!
And the winners are...
Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards 2024 winners
Cultural Venue of the Year 2024
Category partner: 16i
Winner: Gloucester Cathedral
Not only a sacred space but an iconic Gloucestershire landmark, Gloucester Cathedral secures the top spot for Cultural Venue of the Year 2024.
Whether attending a service, sightseeing or hearing its world-class choral music, Gloucester Cathedral offers a warm welcome to people of all faiths and of none — welcoming over 400,000 visitors in 2023, its busiest year in over a decade.
Highly commended: Painswick Rococo Garden
Family Day Out of the Year 2024
Category partner: WSP Solicitors
Winner: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
One of Gloucestershire's most accessible and inclusive attractions, Slimbridge Wetland Centre wins the coveted title of Family Day Out of the Year for a second year running.
Slimbridge is the only place to see five species of flamingo in the UK and home to one of the biggest amphibian collections in the whole of Europe — with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, immersive exhibits and fun outdoor activities to spark kids' curiosity.
Highly commended: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Independent School of the Year 2024
Category partner: HR Star
Winner: Cheltenham College
The prestigious Cheltenham College, a co-educational day and boarding school for three to 18-year-olds, takes the title of Independent School of the Year 2024.
Celebrated for its 'historic reputation, but thoroughly modern approach', the school delivers an all-round education through its academic efforts, diverse curriculum and extra-curricular programme, and immense community spirit — with philanthropy forming a big part of the student experience, too.
Highly commended: The King's School Gloucester
Entertainment Venue of the Year 2024
Category partner: Cleevely Motors
Joint winners: Everyman Theatre and Gloucester Brewery
In a first double-win for the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards, two fantastic businesses are crowned Entertainment Venue of the Year — with Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre and Gloucester Brewery sharing the coveted title in 2024.
Dubbed Gloucester's most inclusive and diverse events space, Gloucester Brewery's Warehouse 4 puts local talent on the stage, as well as engaging with local charities to host fundraising events — enabling over £50,000 of fundraising in the last 12 months alone.
While the Everyman Theatre attracts thousands of theatregoers to Cheltenham each year, staging premieres of plays, West End-worthy musicals and, of course, its acclaimed Christmas pantomime, which sold a record number of tickets and raised over £20,000 for charity in 2023.
Highly commended: The Frog and Fiddle
Sporting Venue of the Year 2024
Category partner: ActionCOACH Cheltenham
Winner: Cheltenham Racecourse
Galloping into the top spot, Cheltenham Racecourse brings the Sporting Venue of the Year award home to Prestbury Park in 2024.
Not only home to the jewel in Britain's jump racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival, this world-renowned racecourse hosts race meets throughout the season — from the more relaxed events in October and April to the exhilarating November Meeting, with family-friendly fun on New Year's Day.
Highly commended: Gloucester Rugby
Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year 2024
Category partner: Prosperity Care and Wellbeing
Winner: The Beefy Boys
With a cult-like following thanks to its American-style dirty burgers, this year's coveted Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year award goes to The Beefy Boys.
Since opening its hotly anticipated Cheltenham restaurant in March 2023, The Beefy Boys has gone from strength to strength, winning two accolades at the National Burger Awards, with co-founder Murf invited back as a judge for 2024, and appearing on BBC's The Hidden World of Hospitality with Tom Kerridge and Saturday Kitchen.
Highly commended: KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2024
Category partner: Affinity Dental Care & Implant Centre
Winner: Lumiere Restaurant
Cheltenham's latest venue to achieve a Michelin star, Lumiere, wins the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Award for Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2024.
As well as curating elegant, ingredient-led menus and an exceptional dining experience, Lumiere shines for its commitment to sustainability, staff welfare and community engagement — led by passionate husband and wife team, chef Jon and general manager Helen.
Highly commended: Prithvi
Food / Drink Producer of the Year 2024
Category partner: Hazlewoods
Winner: The Artisan Baker
Ori Hellerstein's The Artisan Baker secures a win at the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards in 2024, scooping the Food / Drink Producer of the Year award for its sustainably produced bakes.
Catering for gluten-free, vegan and no-sugar dietary requirements and prioritising eco-friendly practices throughout its production, The Artisan Baker serves customers from its own bakeries in Cheltenham and Stroud's Five Valleys, as well as supplying venues like Gloucester Services — it even featured on the Channel 4 series, A Cotswold Farm Shop!
Highly commended: Wholly Gelato
Pub / Bar of the Year 2024
Category partner: Stroud Brewery
Winner: Gloucester Brewery
Another win for Gloucester Brewery, which snaps up the fan favourite Pub / Bar of the Year award in 2024!
From winning multiple awards for its craft beers — all of which are vegan-friendly, with a gluten-free craft lager and alcohol-free option, too — to providing a vibrant, sociable space for the community to raise a glass (or three!), this beloved Gloucestershire boozer is a well-deserving winner.
Highly commended: The Plough Prestbury
Cafe / Coffee Shop of the Year 2024
Category partner: Nimble Elearning
Winner: Garden Terrace Cafe at Batsford Arboretum
Glorious Gloucestershire attraction, Batsford Arboretum, wins this year's Cafe / Coffee Shop of the Year award for its recently renovated Garden Terrace Cafe.
Whipping up fresh bakes every day, the extended cafe boasts almost triple the seating capacity as its previous iteration, catering for the increase in visitors to Batsford in the past few years — offering a stunning spot to meet up with friends or recharge after exploring the arboretum.
Highly commended: Rainbowls
Chef of the Year 2024
Category partner: Laithwaites
Winner: Jon Howe, Lumiere Restaurant
Hot off the back of its Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year win, Lumiere bags another Gloucestershire Lifestyle Award — with chef patron Jon Howe taking home Chef of the Year 2024.
Recognised with a Michelin star, Jon produces elegant and creative dishes, honing his own style of British cuisine led by ingredients sourced from his family farm or trusted network of industry-leading suppliers.
Highly commended: Sam Idoine, Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden
Hotel of the Year 2024
Category partner: RRA Architects
Winner: Cowley Manor
Just one year after reopening under new owners Experimental Group, Cowley Manor is recognised as Hotel of the Year in the 2024 Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards.
Following a total refurbishment, the Cotswold manor narrates its own 300-year story through its elegantly reimagined bedrooms and amenities, including its Experimental Cocktail Club bar, award-winning C-Side spa and restaurant, curated by chef consultant Jackson Boxer.
Highly commended: The Speech House Hotel
Unique Stay of the Year 2024
Category partner: Cotswold Cottage Gems
Winner: The Lakes by YOO
Offering waterside retreats in a serene Cotswold setting, The Lakes by YOO is the winner of the first-ever Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards Unique Stay of the Year category.
More than holiday accommodation, The Lakes by YOO delivers a lifestyle experience, with its home-from-home, interior-led cabins; spa, restaurant and bar; and outdoor activities, from water sports and high ropes to nature walks — with almost £1 billion of real-estate spread across its sustainable, 850-acre estate.
Joint highly commended: Mrs Mills Yurts and LV14 SULA Lightship
Shopping & Leisure Destination of the Year 2024
Category partner: Clockwise Cheltenham
Winner: Dunkertons Organic Cider Shop and Deli
Three cheers for Dunkertons Organic Cider Shop and Deli, which scoops the award for Shopping & Leisure Destination of the Year 2024.
Its retail space and product availability has increased massively in the last 12 months, with enviable food vendors like The Woozy Pig, Humble Kusina and Baz & Fred joining its line up; while its deli stocks the best of organic British produce, from Dunkertons' own cider brewed on-site to fresh bread delivered daily from La Boulangerie Artisan.
Highly commended: Gloucester Quays
Independent Retailer of the Year 2024
Category partner: Bikini Bathrooms and Kitchens
Winner: Made in Stroud
Made in Stroud is the worthy winner of this year's Independent Retailer of the Year award, supporting over 150 makers and artists to grow by providing an outlet for their work.
This charming treasure trove embraces the creative spirit of Stroud, stocking a vibrant collection of locally crafted, handmade goods, from ceramics and textiles to one-of-a-kind jewellery and artworks.
Highly commended: Hot Tubs Rock
Property & Interiors Business of the Year 2024
Category partner: Severnside Security
Winner: Little Interior Co.
Cheltenham-based Little Interior Co takes the trophy for Property & Interiors Business of the Year in 2024.
Owned and run by Grace Major, this small business has grown from helping customers to elevate their interiors as a homewares store, to include a workshop space that hosts regular events; a busy florist that's already bagged over 75 wedding bookings; and coffee pod.
Highly commended: The House Ministry
Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year 2024
Category partner: Winfield Hospital
Winner: Momentum Pole & Aerial
Beating off tough competition in this popular new category, Momentum Pole & Aerial is crowned Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year 2024.
Providing safe and supportive spaces for people of all ages, body types and backgrounds to try pole and aerial arts, Momentum changes how people interact with exercise, teaching them how to feel strong, confident and empowered by moving their bodies.
Highly commended: Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
Event of the Year 2024
Category partner: Hollie Gazzard Trust
Winner: Cheltenham Jazz Festival
As one of Europe's biggest jazz festivals, produced by arts charity Cheltenham Festivals, Cheltenham Jazz Festival is this year's Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards Event of the Year.
Every May bank holiday, the world-renowned event brings international jazz stars, up-and-coming artists, special one-off performances and family-friendly shows to Gloucestershire — delivering first-class entertainment AND contributing to the community through its free events and schools programme.
Highly commended: The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival
Charity of the Year 2024
Category partner: Active Gloucestershire
Winner: Allsorts Gloucestershire
A huge round of applause for this year's very deserving Charity of the Year, Allsorts Gloucestershire!
Allsorts supports local families who have children with additional needs, with or without a formal diagnosis, providing a safe place where disabled children can have fun in its sensory Activity Hub and Toy Library; access to positive opportunities; a sports programme designed to break down barriers; and compassionate family support sessions. And what a win to celebrate in its 15th anniversary year!
Highly commended: Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice
Lifestyle Business of the Year 2024
Category partner: Pro Global
Winner: Allsorts Gloucestershire
Handpicked by headline partner Pro Global from all the winners on the night, Allsorts Gloucestershire is crowned this year's 'winner of winners', taking the title of Lifestyle Business of the Year for 2024.
Be part of the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards 2025
To find out about partnership opportunities and the chance to associate your brand with Gloucestershire's leading lifestyle awards, contact SoGlos's Partnerships Hub by emailing partnerships@sopublishing.com or calling (01242) 210330.
For more information about the awards, see soglos.com/lifestyle-awards.
